TOEFL

TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test) is ETS’s English-language proficiency exam designed primarily for non-native English speakers applying to universities and professional organizations, especially in North America. Administered entirely online at test centres or at home, TOEFL iBT scores range from 0–120 (integrated across Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking). The test is widely accepted by over 11,000 institutions in the US, Canada, Europe, and Australia for undergraduate and graduate admissions. Results are valid for two years.

Key facts

Score structure

TOEFL iBT measures four integrated skills:

• Reading (35 minutes, 3–4 passages, ~40 questions). Candidates read academic texts on humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Task types include multiple-choice, vocabulary-in-context, sentence simplification, and prose insertion. Scoring reflects comprehension, inference, and detail identification.

• Listening (36 minutes, 4–6 lectures and 2–3 conversations, ~28 questions). Candidates hear authentic academic lectures and classroom conversations in various accents. Multiple-choice, note-taking, and ranking questions assess main-idea comprehension, detail retention, and inference. Passages are played only once.

• Speaking (16 minutes, 4 tasks).

  • Task 1 (Independent): Speak 45 seconds on a familiar topic (no preparation).
  • Task 2 (Integrated, Reading + Listening): Read a passage, listen to a short lecture, then speak 60 seconds summarizing both.
  • Task 3 (Integrated, Listening + Speaking): Hear a conversation about a campus problem and a student opinion, then speak 60 seconds proposing a solution.
  • Task 4 (Integrated, Reading + Listening): Read a concept passage, listen to a lecture on the same topic, then speak 60 seconds comparing both.
  • Responses recorded and scored on Delivery, Language Use, and Topic Development.

• Writing (29 minutes, 2 tasks).

  • Integrated Writing (20 minutes): Read an academic passage, listen to a lecture that refutes or complicates the passage, write 150–225 words summarizing the relationship between both.
  • Independent Writing (9 minutes): Write a 300+ word persuasive essay responding to a prompt.
  • Scored on development, organization, grammar, vocabulary, and task completion.

Overall score averages the four skill scores (each 0–30) to produce a 0–120 composite.

Accepted by

• United States: All major universities (Harvard, Stanford, MIT, UC system, state flagships, community colleges); SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) does not mandate TOEFL, but institutions typically require it for F-1 student visa support letters.

• Canada: Most Canadian universities (University of Toronto, McGill, UBC, McMaster); IRCC for study permits does not mandate TOEFL (English proficiency can be proven via degree history), but universities often require it.

• Australia: Growing acceptance; many Australian universities accept TOEFL as alternative to IELTS (e.g., University of Sydney, UNSW, Monash); Department of Home Affairs recognises TOEFL for skilled migration visas (as of 2024).

• United Kingdom: Increasing acceptance at Russell Group institutions (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE, UCL); not yet listed as Secure English Language Test by UKVI for visa purposes (IELTS, Cambridge, Pearson, Trinity remain primary options).

• Europe: Accepted by universities in Germany, Netherlands, France, and Scandinavian countries for English-taught master’s programs.

• Professional bodies: Accepted by medical boards, nursing regulators, and business schools (GMAT waiver programs) in multiple countries.

Typical score requirements

Note: Some universities specify minimum scores per skill (e.g., Reading 24+, Speaking 22+); others focus only on composite score. Graduate programs often request higher scores than undergrad.

Registration & logistics

Registration:

• Online via ets.org/toefl.
• Candidates create an account, select test date, location (test centre or home), and register.
• Payment required at registration; non-refundable if cancellation falls within 7 days of test date.

ID requirements:

• Valid passport (strongly recommended for test-centre testing).
• For at-home testing, candidates must provide photo ID visible on video; ID name must match registration.

Retake rules:

• No waiting period between attempts; may retake immediately after results are available.
• Scores can be sent to up to 4 universities free of charge within 2 years; additional score reports cost USD $20 each.

Test-day procedures (test centre):

• Arrive 30 minutes early; no bags, phones, notes allowed.
• Reading, Listening, and Writing sections completed in sequence; 10-minute break after Listening.
• Speaking section recorded and submitted electronically to ETS raters.

At-home testing:

• Candidate must have a quiet private room, stable internet, and a computer with webcam and microphone.
• Proctor monitors via webcam and audio throughout test; screen-sharing required.
• Test experience identical to test-centre format.

Rescheduling:

• Free rescheduling if requested more than 7 days before test date.
• USD $50 rescheduling fee if 3–7 days before test date.
• No rescheduling within 3 days; must register for new test.

Preparation

Official materials:

• Official TOEFL iBT Prep Plus (ETS, latest edition 2024/2025); includes 4 full practice tests and video explanations.
• TOEFL iBT Quick Prep (free on ets.org); video lessons and sample questions per skill.
• TOEFL iBT Writing and Speaking Rubrics (ETS); detailed scoring criteria.
• Khan Academy + ETS TOEFL prep (free partnership; 36+ lessons aligned to test format).

Recommended materials:

• Barron’s TOEFL iBT Superpack (15th ed., 2024).
• Magoosh TOEFL and TOEFL Ninja YouTube channels.
• Kaplan TOEFL iBT Prep (Kaplan, latest 2024 ed.).
• TST Prep TOEFL courses (subscription-based with live instruction).

Realistic prep time:

• Starting from B1/B2 (intermediate–upper-intermediate): 8–12 weeks, 1–2 hours daily.
• Starting from B2/C1 (upper-intermediate–advanced): 4–6 weeks, 1 hour daily.
• Starting from C1+ (advanced): 2–3 weeks, targeted weak-skill practice.

Common pitfalls:

• Overestimating integrated-task preparation; these require practising simultaneous note-taking and speaking/writing.
• Speaking too quickly or pausing too long; delivery score penalises both extremes.
• Writing short essays in independent-writing section; 300+ words expected; <250 words likely results in score reduction.
• Failing to address all bullet points in Listening + Reading + Speaking integrated tasks.
• Not proofreading Writing responses; grammar and spelling errors accumulate quickly.

Comparison with similar tests

Recent changes

• TOEFL iBT format review (July 2023): ETS shortened test duration from 3 hours to 2 hours 30 minutes by reducing reading and listening passages; scoring and task types remain unchanged. This change applied globally.

• Test at Home expansion (2021–2025): TOEFL at Home (with remote proctor) remains fully valid and widely accepted; no scoring difference vs. test-centre delivery.

• Score publication acceleration (2023): Standard turnaround reduced to 6 calendar days (previously 10–15 business days in some regions); expedited scoring (USD $30 extra) available in select regions.

• Fee increases (2024–2025): TOEFL fees increased to USD $245 globally (from USD $235 in 2023) to cover expanded technology and infrastructure. Regional variations apply.

Primary sources

• Official TOEFL provider: ets.org/toefl; accessed 16 April 2026.
• TOEFL iBT test information and registration: toefl.org (redirect to ets.org/toefl); accessed 16 April 2026.
• Official TOEFL iBT Prep Plus (ETS, 2024–2025).
• TOEFL iBT quick prep: ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/what-is-ibt; accessed 16 April 2026.
• Khan Academy + ETS TOEFL prep: khanacademy.org/test-prep/toefl; accessed 16 April 2026.
• SEVIS Designated School official list: sevis.ice.gov (US Dept. of Homeland Security; does not mandate TOEFL, but student visa support requires institutional documentation, often linked to TOEFL or equivalent English proficiency); accessed 16 April 2026.

Last updated: 2026-04-16.