TOEFL

TOEFL, formally known as “Test of English as a Foreign Language”, is an English proficiency test for those non-native English speakers who want to study overseas, in English speaking countries. It was first administered in 1964. 

The TOEFL test is the most widely respected English-language test in the world, recognized by more than 9,000 colleges, universities and agencies in more than 130 countries, including Australia, Canada, the U.K. and the United States. It also stands in need of other English speaking countries.

It is administered by Educational Testing Services (ETS) and is taken at various locations in India, as Internet Based test. TOEFL score is often a benchmark for awarding scholarships. It is also mandatory for various Government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses and many institutions. TOEFL score is valid for 2 years.

Test Format 

Reading 

In this section, you will be required to read 3-5 passages and answer 12-14 questions on each passage. The section is scored based on the number of correct reading comprehension responses.

Question type: 3–4 passages, 10 questions each

Total no. of questions: About 40

Total time: 54-72 minutes

Listening

In this section, you will hear short conversations as well as long conversations. After the short conversation, you will be asked one question and multiple choices of answers will be given. You have to choose one answer. In long conversations, you will be asked multiple questions based on the conversation.

Question type: 

a) 3–4 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: 41–57 minutes

Break (10 minutes)

Speaking

In speaking section, there are 4 tasks which need to be completed in 17 minutes.

a) 1 independent task (prep time: 15 sec; response time: 45 sec)

b) 3 integrated tasks – Read/Listen/Speak (prep time: 30 sec; response time: 60 sec)

Total no. of questions: 4

Total time: 17 minutes

Writing

In writing task, there are 2 tasks which need to be completed in 50 minutes. 
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