The TOEFL examination measures important skills required for non-native speakers to be successful in an academic setting. The test employs independent and integrated tasks that asks questions aligned with experiences students would have both in and out of the classroom, such as reading, listening, and speaking a response or listening and writing an answer in response.

Below is an outline of the test format, an explanation of each major section, and a review of the types of tasks test takers are asked to complete in each portion of the examination.

Preparing for TOEFL

Developing a study plan and preparation schedule can help pave the way for exam success.

ETS recommends starting the TOEFL preparation process at least eight weeks prior to the test date. ETS offers a range of test prep materials to help test takers strengthen their English skills and prepare for TOEFL.

The best place to start is with the official TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner. The planner includes a weekly calendar with organized objects, tasks and resources to get ready for each section of the examination. Test takers are encouraged to use real TOEFL questions when preparing and can do so through the following ETS testing materials.

TOEFL iBT Interactive Sampler. The sampler provides unlimited, no cost access to past TOEFL iBT questions from all sections of the examination.

TOEFL iBT Test Questions. A free collection of TOEFL iBT questions used on previous tests.

TOEFL iBT Quick Prep. A TOEFL iBT practice tool with questions from real TOEFL examinations.

Section One: Reading

Reading is the first section of the TOEFL examination. This section is designed to measure the candidate’s reading comprehension. Test takers read and review between three and five separate reading passages — each about 700 words long — and then answer a series of questions about each academic passage. Questions are presented in different formats (e.g. multiple choice, insert a sentence) which test different competencies, such as vocabulary, inference, and idea comprehension. 1

Skills Analysis

Number of Questions: 36 to 56 questions

Time Allotted: 60 to 80 minutes

Tasks: Read three to five passages of prose and answer a series of questions in different formats.

Sample Question:

• According to the passage, who conducted investigations about the current dangers posed by large meteorite impacts on Earth?

Section Two: Listening

The listening section assesses the test taker’s ability to comprehend English conversations, academic lectures, and classroom discussions. ETS uses different native-speaker English accents from North America, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand to better reflect the range of accents a student may encounter while studying abroad. There are generally between six and nine listening passages, with a set of questions for each passage. Questions may ask about the speaker’s intent, the passage’s main idea, or ask listeners to identify specific or implied details within the passage. 2

Skills Analysis

Number of Questions: 34 to 51 questions

Time Allotted: 60 to 90 minutes

Tasks: Listen to a variety of passages from academic lectures, classroom conversations and campus conversations and answer questions about each passage.

Sample Question:

• What are the speakers mainly discussing?
• a. How the woman should prepare for the next game
• b. The woman’s responsibilities as team captain
• c. Things that happened while the woman was away
• d. The style of the new team uniforms

Section Three: Speaking

The speaking section is the shortest portion of TOEFL. It is 20 minutes long and test takers are required to complete six tasks. Speaking into a microphone, test takers answer two different types of questions: independent and integrated speaking. Independent speaking measures the candidate’s speaking skills, while integrated speaking examines the candidate’s ability to integrate reading, listening and speaking. For each task, test takers receive short preparation time (between 15 and 30 seconds) and then provide a spoken response 60 seconds in length. 3

Skills Analysis

Number of Questions: 6 tasks

Time Allotted: 20 minutes

Tasks: Summarize lectures and conversations, report on other people’s opinions, and provide personal opinions.

Sample Question:

• Talk about a pleasant and memorable event that happened while you were in school. Explain why this event brings back fond memories.

Preparation Time: 15 seconds

Response Time: 45 seconds

Section Four: Writing

The final section of TOEFL, the writing portion requires an hour to complete. It is designed to assess the test taker’s writing ability in an academic setting. There are two writing prompts. The first is based on reading a written passage, listening to a lecture and writing an essay based on the relationship between the two passages. In the second, test takers write an essay based on a prompt and use personal experience to support their opinion on the topic. 4

Skills Analysis

Number of Questions: 2 tasks

Time Allotted: 50 minutes

Tasks: Write an essay based on reading and listening passages and compose a second essay based on personal opinion.

Sample Question:

• Question: Do you agree or disagree with the following statement?
• A teacher’s ability to relate well with students is more important than excellent knowledge of the subject being taught.
• Use specific reasons and examples to support your answer.

Exam Scoring

TOEFL scores range from zero to 120. However, there is no passing or failing score as each individual university or institution determines their TOEFL score requirements. Below is an overview of how the exam is scored and the scales used in each section.

How is the test scored?

ETS uses both automated (computer-based) and human raters to determine TOEFL scores. Human raters score the writing and speaking portions of the examination. They are certified and participate in scoring calibration tasks to ensure they meet quality benchmarks.

What are the TOEFL scoring scales?

Each individual section is scored between zero and 30, for a total possible score of 120. Reading and listening scores are determined by the number of correct answers provided by the test taker. Speaking and writing scores are evaluated slightly differently, based on assessment rubrics. The tables below outline the proficiency level by questions answered correctly and further explains the scoring methods for speaking and writing sections.

In the speaking section, each task receives a rating from zero to four. ETS converts scores into a scale of zero to 30. ETS-certified test scorers evaluate how well test takers develop their thoughts and provide a well-spoken answer in English. For more information, ETS offers a TOEFL Speaking section scoring guide.

Section	High	Intermediate	low
Reading	22-30	15-21	0-14
Listening	22-30	15-21	0-14
Speaking	26-30	18-25	0-17
Writing	24-30	17-23	0-16

Each essay is scored on a scale of zero to five. Those scores are converted by ETS into a scale of zero to 30. Scores are evaluated on different features, such as grammar, vocabulary, and organization. ETS uses both human raters and automated scoring technology to assess linguistic features, along with human judgment for essay material. A writing section scoring guide is available from ETS.

Exam Day: What to Expect

It is important to understand what is expected of them prior to arriving to the test center. The testing process is regimented, monitored, and controlled. Plan on arriving at the test center at least 30 minutes or more before the scheduled start time of the examination.

The check-in process requires several steps and typically includes the following procedures:

• Provide ETS-approved identification and registration confirmation form
• Provide signature and handwriting samples
• Sign a confidentiality and testing policies agreement
• Take a photo that will be embedded into score reports
• Pass through security measures (e.g. metal detector)

What to Bring

According to ETS, test takers are only required to bring a few items with them to the test center: their registration number, acceptable forms of identification, and water/snack. Cell phones and other electronic devices are not allowed to be brought into the test center. Personal items (e.g. purse, wallet, car keys) can be stored in a locker (if available) or in a plastic bag placed under your chair.

Registration Number.

The registration number can be found on the registration conformation. The day before the test, students should log in to their TOEFL iBT online account to view the test order and print the registration confirmation.

Acceptable Identification.

Bring at least two forms of approved identification to the testing center on test day. The name on the identification and registration must match exactly. If they do not match, you will not be allowed to take the test and testing fee will not be refunded. General identification requirements include the following:

• Be an original form of documentation (photocopies are not allowed)
• Be valid, non-expired document
• Includes the test taker’s full name that matches registration confirmation
• Includes a recent photograph
• Includes a signature that matches the name on the identification

Acceptable forms of identification include:

• Passport
• Government-issued driver’s license
• Military identification
• State or provide identification car

Water and Snack

It is recommended test takers bring some water and a snack to eat during the mandatory break period.

Exam Period

After checking in to the test center, a test administrator will assign you a seat, provide a pencil, paper for notes, and headphones with an attached microphone. The exam period starts on time, is highly regulated, and controlled by a test administrator. Note: the computer is the official timekeeper. Be sure to monitor the time on the computer screen, to ensure you complete each section on time. Test Monitoring

Once the exam has started, test takers may not access their personal items, such as backpacks or electronic devices. Test takers may be videotaped while taking a test for security reasons and test administrators monitor each step of the testing process. Breaks

After completing the Reading and Listening portion of the exam, test takers are required to take a 10-minute break. Upon returning from a break, test takers must again present their identifications to test administrators. Using the restroom or taking breaks are allowed throughout the examination, but it is important to remember the clock does not stop for any reason. Test takers should use personal discretion if they need to take an additional break, so they can finish each section on time. Testing Exemptions

There are a series of exemptions for individuals for individuals who submit and receive an approved testing accommodations request forms, such as additional breaks in testing time (e.g. to take medication), technical support items (e.g. screen magnifiers, ergonomic keyboard), as well as personal readers or scribes for the blind or deaf. Guidelines for answering questions

TOEFL is administered on a computer through a secured Internet-based network. Test takers are provided instructions for answering questions on each section of the examination. Note taking is allowed throughout the test. Speaking

The speaking section is delivered on the computer and for speaking tasks, test takers use a headset with a microphone. Test takers will read passages on the computer screen and listen to passages or conversations through the headset. Writing

For the writing portion, test takers type their responses into the computer.

Prep & Practice Resources

There is a variety of test preparation materials available to individuals interested in taking the TOEFL. Ranging from test questions to practice tests, skill-building resources to full prep courses, test takers can leverage these materials to achieve the highest score possible. TOEFL Quick Prep

ETS offers TOEFL iBT® Quick Prep, a tool that provides questions from previous TOEFL examinations. A free resource, there are four volumes of Quick Prep available. Each volume includes questions for each section of the test: listening, speaking, writing, and reading. Volumes one and two include transcripts of the audio portion of the listening, writing and speaking sections of the examination. Volumes three and four include embedded MP3 files in the downloadable PDF. TOEFL iBT® Test Questions

To help test takers familiarize themselves with the structure of the examination and types of questions asked, ETS provides a free collection of TOEFL iBT® test questions. These question are actual questions used in previous examinations and can be downloaded in a PDF. TestDen

An online education resource, TestDEN provides multiple TOEFL preparation materials, including in-depth overviews of each section of the test, an online study course, grammar guides, speaking tutorials, and writing practice resources. Learn4Good

Learn4Good provides free interactive examples of TOEFL test questions including similar computer-based questions, details on the layout of the test and lessons on basic English grammar. 4Tests

Find full-length practice questions on the four sections of the TOEFL: reading, structure, listening and writing. Purdue Online Writing Lab

The Online Writing Lab (OWL) at Purdue University features a variety of free writing resources and materials to help strengthen and improve English grammar and writing skills. New York Times — The Learning Network

Improve reading skills and vocabulary, learn a new word of the day and participate in crossword puzzles through the New York Times Learning Network. Find lesson plans, writing questions, contests and a variety of interesting and thoughtful blogs and stories.