What is TOEFL?

Most US and Canadian universities require TOEFL, the Test of English as a Foreign Language, to prove one’s English proficiency, especially for international students from countries where English is not a native language. It measures one’s listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills to perform academic tasks in English. Many universities in Europe and other countries also accept TOEFL, though IELTS is more popular outside the USA. The popularity of TOEFL is growing, and its score is accepted for immigration to New Zealand and Australia. More than 10,000 colleges in 100+ countries accept TOEFL scores.

Types of TOEFL Tests

There are five types of TOEFL tests, each designed for specific purposes and target institutions.

• TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test): This is the most common and widely accepted type of the TOEFL test. It assesses the four language skills - reading, listening, speaking, and writing - through an online platform. The TOEFL iBT is used for academic purposes, such as admission to universities and colleges, scholarship applications, and English-language learning programs. It is a computer adaptive test and takes approximately 116 minutes to finish.
  
  Test Structure
  
  

  Section	Time Limit	Questions	Tasks	Score
  Reading	35 minutes	20 questions	2 passages with 10 questions each from academic texts and answer questions	0-30
  Listening	36 minutes	28 questions	Listen to lectures, classroom discussions, and conversations, then answer questions	0-30
  Speaking	16 minutes	4 tasks	express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks	0-30
  Writing	29 minutes	2 tasks	Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing	0-30

  
  
• TOEFL Essentials: Introduced in 2021, TOEFL Essentials is a shorter and more affordable version of the TOEFL iBT. It is a computer adaptive test taken online at home by the candidate and is approximately 1.5 hours long. It focuses on the essential language skills required for academic and everyday communication. TOEFL Essentials is used for university admissions, other academic programs, and non-academic institutions.
  
  Test Structure
  
  

  Section	Estimated Timing	No. of questions	Score
  Listening	21-34 minutes	30-45 questions	1-12
  Reading	22-33 minutes	30-45 questions	1-12
  Writing	24-30 minutes	14-18 questions, 2 tasks	1-12
  Speaking	13 minutes	3 tasks with 19 responses	1-12
  Personal Video Statement	5 minutes	2 questions	Unscored

  
  
  
• TOEFL Primary: The TOEFL Primary is a standardized English language proficiency test specifically designed for young learners who are 8 years old and above. It is carefully crafted to assess their listening, reading, and speaking skills in English. The test is engaging and age-appropriate, ensuring candidates feel comfortable and confident while demonstrating their language abilities. The TOEFL Primary program offers four tests to measure a range of skills.
  
  Test Structure
  
  

  Section	Estimated Timing	No. of questions	Score
  Speaking	20 minutes	8 questions	0-17
  Writing	30 minutes	19 questions	0-17

  STEP 1

  Section	Estimated Timing	No. of questions	Score
  Reading	30 minutes	39 questions	0-17
  Listening	30 minutes	41 questions	0-17

  STEP 2

  Section	Estimated Timing	No. of questions	Score
  Reading	30 minutes	37 questions	0-17
  Listening	30 minutes	39 questions	0-17

  Step 1 tests are for students who have basic English knowledge, while Step 2 is for kids with medium English knowledge.
  
  
• TOEFL Junior: Designed for younger students aged 11 and above, the TOEFL Junior assesses their English language proficiency in reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It is 1 hour and 55 minutes long and is used for academic purposes to assess students' progress in English learning and make teaching plans based on what the student needs.
  
  Test Structure
  
  

  Section	Estimated Timing	No. of questions	Score
  Listening Comprehension	40 minutes	42 items	200-300
  Language Form and Meaning	25 minutes	42 items	200-300
  Reading Comprehension	50 minutes	42 items	200-300
  Speaking	18 minutes	4 items	200-300
  Writing	40 minutes	5 items	200-300

  
  
  
• TOEFL ITP (Institutional Testing Program): The TOEFL ITP is a variant of the TOEFL PBT that educational institutions administer for internal purposes, such as placement, progress evaluation, or exit exams. It is not accepted by universities or colleges for admission purposes. The TOEFL ITP Level 1 and Level 2 tests assess a range of skills, are offered in both paper and digital formats, and are presented in multiple-choice format.
  
  Test Structure
  
  LEVEL 1
  

  Section	Estimated Timing	No. of questions	Score
  Listening Comprehension	35 minutes	50 questions	31-68
  Structure and Written Expression	25 minutes	40 questions	31-68
  Reading Comprehension	55 minutes	50 questions	31-68
  Speaking	15 minutes	4 tasks	31-68

  LEVEL 2
  

  Section	Estimated Timing	No. of questions	Score
  Listening Comprehension	22 minutes	30 questions	20-50
  Structure and Written Expression	17 minutes	25 questions	20-50
  Reading and Vocabulary	31 minutes	40 questions	20-50
  Speaking	15 minutes	4 tasks	31-68

In summary, the five main types of TOEFL tests include the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials, TOEFL Primary, TOEFL Junior, and TOEFL ITP. Each test serves a specific purpose and is tailored to different target audiences, ranging from university applicants to young learners and institutions conducting internal assessments.

Who can Apply for TOEFL?

There is no eligibility requirement for taking the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials test. Candidates can attempt the test irrespective of their age or nationality. Candidates who are non-native English speakers and candidates whose target university/college is in an English-speaking country will have to prove their proficiency in English. TOEFL scores will be required for such candidates. The people who generally take the TOEFL include-

• Candidates who have to prove language proficiency for academic purposes
• Candidates who have to prove language proficiency for visa purposes
• Candidates who have to prove language proficiency for scholarships.

Cost of Taking TOEFL

TOEFL iBT cost ranges from US$180 to US$300 (depending on country/location). But the additional charges incurred for other services are as follows:

Service	Fee (US$)
Late Registration	US $40
Rescheduling	US $60
Reinstatement of canceled scores	US $20
Additional score report	US $25 each
Speaking or Writing Score Review	US $80 each
Speaking and Writing Score Review	US $160
Returned Payment	US $30
Express shipping service	$25

The cost for taking TOEFL Essentials also differs by location and country, generally between $100 and $120. The fee for other services is as follows:

Service	Fee (US$)
Late registration	$20
Rescheduling	$30
Reinstatement of canceled scores	$20
Returned Payment	$30
Additional score reports	$20

How to Register/Apply for TOEFL iBT/Essentials?

The TOEFL iBT test can be taken at a test center or at home, while TOEFL Essentials can be taken at home only. Candidates who choose the TOEFL iBT Home Edition test must register for the test and book a time slot by logging into their ETS Account. Candidates will be able to register by:

• using their ETS Account- Candidates will have to create an ETS account and select a testing method, after which they will be prompted to choose a location, date, and time for their examination. They will pay online once the details have been selected and confirmed.
• by Phone- Candidates who are from the US, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada will be able to call 1-877-863-3546 for TOEFL iBT and 1-800-GO-TOEFL (1-800-468-6335) or +1-443-751-4862 for TOEFL Essentials. Candidates from all other regions can click here to obtain contact details for registration in their respective areas. They will have to make the call on a business day by 5 pm at least 7 days before the test to avoid a late fee. Candidates who register after the standard 7-day deadline will incur a late fee of $40 for TOEFL iBT or $20 for TOEFL Essentials.
• by Mail- Candidates who are registering by mail will have to download and complete the Registration Form and mail it if they reside in the US, US Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, or Canada. They must contact their Regional Registration Center to find the mailing address if they are from other countries.

Test Dates for TOEFL

The TOEFL iBT test dates differ based on the country in which it is taken. The TOEFL iBT test is provided over 60 times a year. Candidates can find the test date available to them by choosing the nearest test center in their ETS account to view the available test dates.

Candidates can also take the TOEFL iBT Home Edition Test, available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week. They can book their test session as late as 24 hours before the test date. ETS recommends registering for a test date at least 4 months before the earliest admission deadline.

Test appointments for TOEFL Essentials are accessible 24/7. Candidates can locate and book appointments as soon as 24 hours after registration.

Calculate TOEFL Score

Each section of TOEFL iBT has a maximum score of 30; the total maximum score is 120. Most universities require a TOEFL iBT score ranging from 80 to 100. Candidates can view the score online at ets.org by logging into their ETS Account within 4 to 8 days after the test. They can select up to four institutions to send their scores for free (the cost is included in the TOEFL Test fee). Candidates can send their scores to as many institutions as they choose for a fee of US$25 per additional report.

Scores are mailed approximately 11 days after receipt of the request and payment. After the candidate finishes their test, the date of release of their official scores will be provided. This information will also be accessible in their ETS account. Additionally, candidates will receive an email notification when their scores are ready.

Those who have taken the TOEFL Essentials test will be assigned a band score ranging from 1 to 12 for each of the four scored sections of the exam. The Personal Video Statement section is unscored. The overall band score is determined by averaging the scores from these sections, which is then rounded to the nearest whole or half band in increments of 0.5, from 1 to 12. Furthermore, MyBest scores will be included in the score report.

Reinstating Cancelled Scores

Should a candidate decide to cancel their test scores at the test center but later wish to reverse that decision, they may have their canceled scores reinstated, provided their request is submitted to ETS within 60 days following the test date. Candidates can initiate the reinstatement process through their ETS account. A fee of $20 is required for this reinstatement. Once the request and payment are processed, the reinstated scores will be reported approximately three weeks later.

Ordering Additional Score Reports

TOEFL score is valid for two years. Within these two years, candidates who took TOEFL iBT can order additional reports at $25 per institution. They can apply for additional score reports through the ETS Account, fax, or mail.

• ETS Account- Login to the ETS account online or through the TOEFL official app and click on the “Send Additional Score Report” option. Candidates must pay using a credit/debit card or a PayPal account. While applying through this method, candidates will receive their score report within 3-5 business days.
• Fax- Candidates can download the TOEFL iBT Additional Score Report Request form , fill it out without errors and fax it with their appointment number and payment information to +1-610-290-8972. They will mail the report 10 days after the request has been received.
• Mail- Download the TOEFL iBT Additional Score Report Request form and mail it with the payment to
  ETS-TOEFL
  P.O. Box 382044
  Pittsburgh, PA 15251-8044, USA
  They will mail the score report 10 days after they receive the request.
  
  Those who take the TOEFL Essentials test can request free additional score reports to be sent to any institution of their choice. Candidates can modify their chosen score recipients until 10 PM local time, the day before the test. After this deadline, a fee of US$20 will apply for any additional score report requests.
  
  Candidates can utilize the express shipping service for US$25, which is a service available in 75 countries and territories. Typically, express score reports are delivered within 2 to 5 business days following the request for an additional score report.

Time Taken by ETS to Send Official TOEFL Scores/Reports

The reports/official scores will be sent to schools/colleges around 4-8 days after the candidate has taken the TOEFL iBT test (remember they are sent via mail, and sometimes it may get delayed). Depending on how they send the score, the time it will take for colleges to receive the report is as follows:

• If it is sent through the ETS Data Manager, the score report will arrive within 4-8 days after the test date.
• If sent through the Scorelink Service, it will take around 8-10 days to reach the destination.
• Scores may also be submitted via Postal Mail, where they will be processed within 10 to 12 days. Candidates would have to allow an additional 7 to 10 days for delivery within the U.S. and 4 to 6 weeks for international mail.

Those who have taken the TOEFL Essentials test can view their unofficial scores for the Reading and Listening sections to assess their performance. Official scores will be available online roughly 5-6 days after the test date. Candidates registered with a valid email address will be notified when their scores are ready. Furthermore, within 11 days after the test, each institution chosen by the candidate will receive the official score reports.

Cancelling or Rescheduling TOEFL

Candidates who wish to reschedule or cancel their test appointment must do so at least 4 full days before the scheduled test date. If a rescheduling or cancellation request is not submitted at least four days before the scheduled test date, the test fee will be forfeited. However, if a candidate cancels their appointment before the four-day window, they will be entitled to a 50% refund of the original test fee paid.

Retaking TOEFL

Candidates can take the TOEFL as many times as they wish, but they are limited to one attempt every 3 days. This policy applies even if a candidate has canceled their scores from a previous test. Furthermore, if a candidate already has a scheduled test appointment, they cannot register for another date within 3 days of that appointment.

Choosing between TOEFL and IELTS

Deciding between TOEFL and IELTS can be a significant choice for non-native English speakers who need to demonstrate their English proficiency for academic, professional, or immigration purposes. Here are several factors to consider when making this decision:

• Determine the primary purpose of taking the test. Some universities and colleges may prefer one test, while certain professional organizations may have specific requirements.
• Different countries may have a preference for one test. For example, the UK often favors IELTS, while many institutions in the US accept both tests.
• Both tests assess reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills, but the format and types of questions can differ. For instance, the IELTS speaking section is a face-to-face interview, while TOEFL's speaking section is recorded. Candidate should reflect on their comfort level with the speaking format. If they prefer speaking to a person rather than a computer, IELTS may be the better choice.
• Candidates should check the availability of test centers in their area for both TOEFL and IELTS. Some regions may have more options for one test than the other.
• Candidates need to know the timeline for receiving their test scores. The TOEFL iBT reports scores within 4 to 8 days, whereas TOEFL Essentials typically takes 5 to 6 days. For IELTS, results from the Online mode are released in 6 to 8 days, scores from the computer-based test are available in 1 to 2 days, and paper-based IELTS results are provided within 13 days.

TOEFL sample tests with answers

• TOEFL Sample Test 1
• TOEFL Sample Test 2
• TOEFL Sample Test 3
• TOEFL Practice Test 4
• TOEFL Practice Test 5

Things to Remember

• TOEFL iBT test can be taken on fixed dates. It happens multiple times a year. Candidates might have to check the ETS website for their desired location's exact date and time.
• The official scores can be sent to up to four institutions for free if the candidate selects them before the TOEFL iBT test.
• Those who took the TOEFL Essentials test can send their score reports to as many institutions as they want, given that they select these institutions before the test.
• TOEFL Institution/University code can be searched from https://toefl.ru/institutioncode.pdf.
• TOEFL may not be required by individuals from countries whose native language is English.
• Candidates can cancel their scores at the end of their test session.