About the TOEFL iBT® Test

The TOEFL iBT® test, administered via the Internet, is an important part of your journey to study in an English-speaking country. In addition to the test, the ETS TOEFL Program provides tools and guides to help you prepare for the test and improve your English-language skills.

What Is the TOEFL iBT Test?

The TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. And it evaluates how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.

Who Takes the TOEFL Test?

  • More than 27 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL test to demonstrate their English-language proficiency. The average English skill level ranges between Intermediate and Advanced.
  • Students planning to study at a higher education institution
  • English-language learning program admissions and exit
  • Scholarship and certification candidates
  • English-language learners who want to track their progress
  • Students and workers applying for visas

Who Accepts TOEFL Test Scores?

More than 9,000 colleges, agencies and other institutions in over 130 countries accept TOEFL scores. For more information, including using your scores to satisfy visa requirements in Australia and the United Kingdom, how to find institutions that accept TOEFL scores.

The TOEFL iBT® test is given in English and administered via the Internet. There are four sections (listening, reading, speaking and writing) which take a total of about four and a half hours to complete.

Combining All Four Skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing

During the test, you are asked to perform tasks that combine more than one skill, such as:
Read, listen and then speak in response to a question
Listen and then speak in response to a question
Read, listen and then write in response to a question

TOEFL iBT Test Sections

Section Time Limit Questions Tasks
Reading* 60–80 minutes 36–56 questions Read 3 or 4 passages from academic texts and answer questions.
Listening 60–90 minutes 34–51 questions Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions.
Break 10 minutes — —
Speaking 20 minutes 6 tasks Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks. 
Writing 50 minutes 2 tasks Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing.

 Section Question Types Scoring
 Reading 3-5 passages from academic texts; approx 700 word long with 12-14 questions per passage. 0-30
 Listening 4-6 lectures, each 3-5 min long; 6 questions each. 2-3 conversations, each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each. 0-30
 Speaking 2 tasks to express an opinion ona a topic; 4 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to 0-30
 Writing 1 task to write based on what is read or listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic. 0-30

The test you take may include extra questions in the Reading or Listening section that do not count toward your score. These are either questions that enable ETS to make test scores comparable across administrations or new questions that help ETS determine how such questions function under actual testing conditions.

Please read the timing instructions for the Reading Section carefully. The instructions will indicate how many passages you will receive and the amount of time you have to respond to questions for those passages. Be sure to pace yourself so that you have time to answer all the questions.

A standard English language (QWERTY) computer keyboard is used for the test. We recommend that you practice typing on a QWERTY keyboard before taking the test.

TOEFL BASIC: 4 Weeks, Regular and Online

  • Know what TOEFL examiners want from Speaking and Writing
  • Exam Strategies and Tactics for Reading and Listening
  • Demonstrate enhanced speaking
  • Regular  Assignments to Test Your Knowledge on all 4 sections
  • Time Management Strategies for Score Improvement
  • Practice material / practice tests
  • Academic writing skills
  • Downloadable resources
  • 30 hours of regular /online preparation classes

TOEFL COMPREHENSIVE: 6 Weeks, Regular and Online

  • Know what TOEFL Examiners want from Speaking and Writing
  • Exam Strategies and Tactics for Reading and Listening
  • Regular  Assignments to Test Your Knowledge on all 4 sections
  • Time Management Strategies for Score Improvement
  • Practice material
  • Downloadable resources
  • One on One sessions for improved learning 
  • Exclusive practice on speaking questions
  • Advanced Academic writing Skills
  • Practice tests 
  • 45 hours of regular /online preparation classes