The TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based Test) is an internationally recognized standardized test that measures the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. It is commonly used for admission purposes by universities and colleges in English-speaking countries, as well as for immigration, employment, and scholarship applications.
The TOEFL iBT test measures a test taker's capacity to integrate their speaking, reading, listening, and writing abilities in the context of the classroom, where it counts the most. It provides your institution with access to millions of students who have demonstrated they possess the skills necessary to flourish in an English-speaking academic environment.
The TOEFL iBT assesses four language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. It is conducted entirely in an internet-based format, allowing test-takers to take the exam on a computer. Here is an overview of the test's structure:
Reading Section: The Reading section evaluates the test-taker's ability to understand and analyze written English texts. It consists of 3-5 passages, each followed by a set of questions. Test-takers have 60-80 minutes to complete this section.
Listening Section: The Listening section measures the ability to comprehend spoken English. It includes conversations, lectures, and classroom discussions. Test-takers are required to answer questions based on the audio material. This section typically comprises 4-6 lectures and 2-3 conversations, with a total duration of 60-90 minutes.
Speaking Section: The Speaking section assesses the ability to speak English fluently and coherently. It consists of six tasks, including expressing an opinion on a familiar topic, summarizing information from a reading and a listening passage, and participating in a conversation. Test-takers use a microphone to record their responses. The Speaking section takes about 20 minutes to complete.
Writing Section: The Writing section evaluates the ability to write coherent and organized responses in English. It includes two tasks. The first task requires test-takers to summarize information from a reading and a listening passage. The second task requires them to write an essay expressing and supporting their opinion on a given topic. The Writing section has a time limit of 50 minutes.
The total duration of the TOEFL iBT test is approximately 3 hours and 10 minutes, excluding the check-in process and breaks. Scores for each section range from 0 to 30, and the total score ranges from 0 to 120.
It's important to note that the test is adaptive, meaning the difficulty level of questions in the Reading and Listening sections may vary based on the test-taker's performance. Additionally, the TOEFL iBT is administered at authorized test centers worldwide on specific dates, and registration is required to take the exam.
