The TOEFL evaluates students’ English language proficiency levels by measuring reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. The test is most commonly taken by non-native English speakers seeking admission to English-speaking colleges and/or universities.
TOEFL FORMAT AND TEST DATES
WHAT IS THE TOEFL?
TOEFL FORMAT
The TOEFL is a 3 to 4 hour exam (including a mandatory 10-minute break), consisting of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
| TOEFL Test Section | # of Questions and Types | Content | Timing |
|---|---|---|---|
| READING | 30-40 multiple-choice | Read 3-4 passages from academic texts | 54–72 minutes |
| LISTENING | 28-39 multiple-choice | Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations | 41-57 minutes |
| SPEAKING | 4 tasks; speak responses into headset | Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks | 17 minutes |
| WRITING | 2 essays | Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing | 50 minutes |
The TOEFL is an online test administered at authorized test centers throughout the year. Students are allowed to take the test as many times as they want, but cannot take it more than once in a 3-day period. Experimental and unscored questions are often included in the Reading and/or Listening sections and are used by TOEFL to evaluate new material. Experimental questions are not marked as unscored, so it’s best to treat every question as real.
TOEFL SCORING
The TOEFL scoring model includes 4 scaled section scores and one total score. For a detailed breakdown of what each score means, please see the table below.
| Score Type | Score Range | Details |
|---|---|---|
| RAW SCORES | Reading: 0-30/40 Listening: 0-28/39 Speaking: 0-4 Writing: 0-5 |
These scores are the total number of correct answers per each section. Raw scores for Writing are calculated via the writing rubric. |
| SCALED SCORES | Reading: 0-30 Listening: 0-30 Speaking: 0-30 Writing: 0-30 |
These scores are scaled per each section. |
| TOTAL SCORE | 0-120 | This score is the sum of your scaled scores. |
For additional details, please see TOEFL’s score breakdown explanation.
TOEFL GUESSING PENATLY
TOEFL does not deduct any points for an incorrect question. This means that you should not leave any questions blank on the test. With the sections varying greatly by time, pacing is crucial. Your tutor will help you master these skills.
TOEFL TEST DATES
Official test dates are regularly updated and posted by TOEFL. To view currently offered test dates, sign into your TOEFL account and view TOEFL Test Dates. Be sure your selected test date matches your prospective school’s admissions requirements.
Note that as of Spring 2020, TOEFL can be adminstered online at-home. More details can be found here.
