A high score in the TOEFL examination is essential for entry to an American university. You learn specific strategies for the TOEFL with an emphasis on enriching vocabulary. During the course you will have practice examinations with feedback from your teacher. What's different about the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based testing)?

The new TOEFL includes a Speaking Section.

This section consists of 6 open-ended speaking questions, which require test takers to speak into a microphone. Responses are recorded and scored by human graders. There are more writing questions.

The TOEFL iBT contains an added 20-minute essay along with the current 30-minute essay, for a total of two essays.

The TOEFL iBT is longer.

Some questions on the TOEFL iBT focus only on reading, listening, speaking, or writing skills, while other questions require test takers to integrate these skills. The new exam includes both independent and integrated skills testing. The new test is approximately 4 hours long—an increase of about one hour over the current exam.

The new test has a different scoring system.
Test takers receive a score on each of the four skill areas (Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing) tested on the TOEFL, as well as an overall score.

TOEFL iBT Scoring Chart
Listening: 0-30   |   Reading: 0-30  |   Speaking: 0-30  |   Writing: 0-30

Why TOEFL iBT?
The TOEFL PBT/CBT are largely multiple-choice exams that test listening, grammar, reading, and writing skills. Test takers who have a broad vocabulary and strong English grammar skills usually do well on the test; however, the TOEFL PBT/CBT does not measure a person's ability to use spoken English or to learn and integrate information from more than one source. For years, colleges and universities have wanted an exam that would assess a prospective student's ability to use spoken English in an academic setting.

How is the new Speaking Section scored?
Test takers receive a score between 0-30 for overall performance on the 6 speaking questions. The Speaking Section accounts for one-fourth of the total score. Human graders will assess and score both essays.

Is grammar still tested?
The TOEFL iBT does not have a stand-alone Structure Section. Grammar skills are incorporated into all sections of the test.

TOEFL PBT (Paper-based test)

Test Overview
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) assesses the English proficiency of people who speak English as a non-native language. The test was developed for international students who plan to study at colleges and universities in the United States and Canada. Many educational institutions outside the USA and Canada that use English may also use TOEFL scores. In addition, some government agencies, professional agencies, and scholarship programs may be interested in TOEFL scores.

Sections on the TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test)
There are three sections on the TOEFL: Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, and Reading Comprehension. You will also have to take the Test of Written English (TWE).

Listening Comprehension
Time: 30-40 minutes
Format: 50 questions based on taped conversations
Topics Tested: Understanding spoken English

This section measures ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America. You will listen to taped conversations and talks and answer questions that test how well you understood what you heard. The section consists of three parts. In part A, you will hear 30 short conversations and answer a question about each one. In part B, you will hear 3 or 4 longer conversations and answer a few questions bout each one. In part C, you will listen to 3 or 4 talks or lectures of about one minute each. Then, answer several questions about each one.

Structure and Written Expression
Time: 25 minutes
Format: 40 questions
Topics Tested: Complete sentences, Identify errors

This section measures your ability to recognize correct grammar in standard written English. The first 15 questions are sentence completion. You will see a sentence with a blank space. You will need to choose which of the 4 answer choices best complete the sentence. The next 25 questions are error identification. Each sentence will contain four underlined words or phrases. You must choose the one that is incorrect.

Reading Comprehension
Time: 55 minutes
Format: 50 questions based on 5 or 6 passages
Topics Tested: Understanding what you read

This section measures ability to read and understand short passages. The readings are similar in topic and style to those North American college and university students encounter in their courses. This section contains reading passages and questions about the passages. You will be asked about what you read and the meanings of the words as they are used in the passage.

Test of Written English
Time: 30 minutes
Format: Write an essay based on a given topic
Topics Tested: Ability to write in English

This section measures your ability to write a clear, coherent essay in English on an assigned topic. The essay will be scored based on grammar and writing style, as well as your ideas and your ability to support those ideas with examples.

Understanding Your Score
The total number of correct answers you get on the paper-based test is known as your raw score. There is no penalty for wrong answers. Your raw score is then converted to a scaled score. You will receive a scaled score for each section of the test. These scores will range from 31-68. The total score on the paper-based TOEFL will range from 310 to 677.

What about my essay scores?
Good question. Your TWE score is reported separately and is not part of your total TOEFL score. Your essay will be reported on a scale of 1 to 6.

What is a good score?
There is no "passing" or "failing" score on the TOEFL. The test only measures your English language proficiency. Individual colleges and universities set their own TOEFL score standards for admission. Scores can range from a low of 450 to a high of 630 or more. A score of 677 is considered perfect.

What does my TOEFL score mean?
Your TOEFL score measures your English

TOEFL PBT Scores and Proficiency

How long are TOEFL scores valid?
ETS keeps TOEFL scores on file for two years, although university admissions officers may require or prefer a recent exam taken within the last six months to a year. After two years, you won't be able to order official score reports for a test from ETS.