TOEFL Overview-TOEFL iBT Format

The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is used as a condition for admission of non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. It can be taken in the Internet-Based Test (IBT) or test paper (PBT) format. The test is divided into four sections, each testing basic skills in an academic environment: reading, listening, speaking and writing. The test can be taken more often than once a week.

Total scores from 0 to 130. In assessing the performance of your TOEFL IBT, it is useful to compare its results with those of other students from their home country and those of students who speak the same language as you. The test is not adaptive computer and you're not allowed to take notes during the complete exam. It takes about four hours to complete the test.

Total Sections: 4 Sections: Reading Listening Speaking Writing

TOEFL Reading : Question Type: 

3-5 passages (about 700 words each) 12-14 questions each

Total No. of Questions: About 50

Total Time: 60-100 minutes

TOEFL Listening : Question Type:

a) 4–6 lectures (3-5 minutes long, about 500-800 words)
6 questions each
about 30 questions in total
b) 2–3 conversations (about 3 minutes long, about 12-25 exchanges)
5 questions each
about 12 questions in total

Total No. of Questions: 40+

Total Time: 60-90 minutes

TOEFL Speaking : Question Type:

a) 2 independent tasks
(prep time: 15 sec; response time: 45 sec)
2 integrated tasks – Read/Listen/Speak
(prep time: 30 sec; response time: 60 sec)
c) 2 integrated tasks – Listen/Speak
(prep time: 20 sec; response time: 60 sec)

Total No. of Questions: 6

Total Time: 20 minutes

TOEFL Writing : Question Type:

a) 1 integrated task – Read/Listen/Write (20 minutes)
(reading time: 3 min; listening time: 2 min; writing: 15 min)
b) 1 independent task (30 minutes)

Total No. of Questions: 2

Total Time: 50 minutes

Time:     Approximately 4 hours.