TOEFL

The exam explained

The TOEFL is a globally recognized English proficiency test that evaluates the ability of non-native English speakers to use and understand English in an academic setting. It is commonly required for university admissions, work visas, and immigration to English-speaking countries.

Accepted by over 11,500 universities and institutions in more than 160 countries, the TOEFL is especially popular among students applying to schools in the United States and Canada, but it is also recognized in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and across Europe and Asia.

 

Why Take the TOEFL iBT?

  • Required or accepted by most universities in the United States and Canada

  • Widely accepted by institutions around the world

  • Focused on academic English, making it ideal for university-level studies

  • Convenient test options available at test centers or from home

 

What's is the TOEFL iBT?

The TOEFL iBT assesses four core language skills that reflect how English is used in a university environment:

Reading (35 minutes)
You will read two academic passages and answer questions that test your ability to understand, analyze, and draw inferences from the text.

Listening (36 minutes)
You will listen to university-style lectures, conversations, and discussions, then answer questions that evaluate your comprehension of key ideas, tone, and supporting details.

Speaking (16 minutes)
You will complete four speaking tasks. You will express opinions, summarize reading and listening content, and respond to academic prompts. All responses are recorded and scored by ETS-certified raters.

Writing (29 minutes)
There are two tasks:

  • Integrated Writing Task (19 minutes): Read a short passage, listen to a lecture, and write a response that explains how the two sources relate.

  • Academic Discussion Task (10 minutes): Respond to a classroom discussion prompt by contributing your own ideas and opinions in writing.

 

Test Formats

TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test):
The most common format, available both at authorized test centers and online via the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. It includes all four skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

TOEFL Paper Edition:
Offered in select locations. The Reading, Listening, and Writing sections are completed on paper at a test center. The Speaking section is taken on a computer at home within three days.

 

TOEFL Scoring

Each of the four sections is scored out of 30 points, for a total score range of 0 to 120. Your official score report provides both the overall score and detailed section scores to help institutions evaluate your English proficiency.

 

Who Accepts TOEFL?

The TOEFL iBT is accepted by:

  • 100% of universities in the United States

  • 98%+ of institutions in Canada

  • Thousands of institutions in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and globally

Always check the specific score requirements for the programs or institutions you are applying to.