Why Choose the TOEFL® iBT Test?
Accepted and preferred worldwide
When you choose TOEFL® iBT to show your English proficiency, universities notice and know you’re ready to succeed. Accepted by more than 13,000 universities and other institutions in over 160 countries, and preferred worldwide, the TOEFL® iBT is the world's premier English-language test for study, work and immigration.
Everything You Need to Know About the TOEFL® Test
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL®) is one of the most widely recognized English proficiency exams in the world. It is designed to assess the ability of non-native English speakers to use and understand English in academic settings. Many universities, colleges, and employers across the globe use TOEFL® scores as a requirement for admission or hiring.
Types of TOEFL® Tests
There are two main formats of the TOEFL test:
1. TOEFL® iBT (Internet-Based Test)
This is the most common version of the test and is taken online at official test centers. The TOEFL® iBT consists of four sections:
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Reading: Measures the ability to understand and analyze academic texts.- Listening: Tests comprehension of conversations and lectures in English.
- Speaking: Evaluates spoken English skills through recorded responses.
- Writing: Assesses the ability to write essays based on given prompts.
2. TOEFL® Paper-Based Test (TOEFL® PBT)
The paper-based test is available in locations where the internet-based test is not feasible. It includes reading, listening, writing, and structure (grammar). However, it is less common and being phased out in favor of the iBT.
TOEFL® Test Scoring
The TOEFL® iBT is scored on a total scale of 0-120 points, with each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) scored between 0-30 points. The higher your score, the better your English proficiency. Universities usually have their own score requirements, often ranging from 70 to 110 depending on the institution and program.
Why Take the TOEFL® Test?
- University Admissions: Many universities require TOEFL® scores for international students.
- Job Opportunities: Some employers and organizations use TOEFL® scores to evaluate language proficiency.
- Visa Applications: Some countries, like the U.S., may accept TOEFL® scores as part of visa requirements.
- Scholarships: A good TOEFL® score can increase chances of receiving scholarships.
TOEFL iBT Test Content
The TOEFL iBT test has four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.
Test time
The total test takes just under 2 hours to complete, but you should plan for 2.5 hours, allowing 30 minutes for check in.
Test sections overview
Use the table below to view the breakdown of each TOEFL iBT test section.
| Section | Estimated Timing | Questions/Tasks | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | Read passages and respond to questions. |
| Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | Answer questions about brief lectures or classroom discussions. |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 tasks | Talk about a familiar topic and discuss material you read and heard. |
| Writing | 29 minutes | 2 tasks | Read a passage, listen to a recording, type your response. State and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion. |
Below are the TOEFL iBT scores mapped to their corresponding CEFR levels.
| CEFR level | Reading (0–30) | Listening (0–30) | Speaking (0–30) | Writing (0–30) | Total (0–120) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2 | 29 | 28 | 28 | 29 | 114 |
| C1 | 24 | 22 | 25 | 24 | 95 |
| B2 | 18 | 17 | 20 | 17 | 72 |
| B1 | 4 | 9 | 16 | 13 | 42 |
| A2 | n/a | n/a | 10 | 7 | n/a |
The TOEFL iBT test provides the highest measurement precision at language-proficiency levels B2 and C1, which are typical requirements for admissions in higher-education institutions. Test takers with very high scores are likely to be able to perform at CEFR level C2.