How do you ace the TOEFL? Understanding the TOEFL exam pattern is the first step to success. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. The test is a standardized academic English language test. For this reason, students who aim to study in the United States majorly take the test.
A private exam body in the US, Educational Testing Services, conducts the TOEFL. Furthermore, nine out of 10 universities in the US accept the test. There are two major variations for kids and older adults. Institutions offer the TOEFL ITP to measure the English level of prospective students. Additionally, the IELTS Junior test is for students younger than 16.
The TOEFL test has two versions: Internet-based tests and paper-based tests. Candidates can choose the version that best suits their personality. Similar to IELTS, TOEFL does not have a passing score. Each university has an accepted score range, generally between 61 and 110.
In this blog, we will discuss the TOEFL exam pattern. Thus, it will help you understand the details of each Section you must consider before sitting for the exam.
Key Components of the TOEFL Exam Pattern You Need to Know
The TOEFL exam comprises four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. It is popular for evaluating candidates’ proficiency in the English language and is a requirement for students planning to study abroad in various countries.
The TOEFL exam can either be an Internet test or a paper-based test. In particular, for the Internet-based test, you also have the option to take it either from the test center or at home. The TOEFL IBT is more available than the PBT. ETS plans to remove the PBT version and only offer the IBT version.
Different Sections of the TOEFL Test
The TOEFL exam has four sections to test candidates’ English language proficiency. The candidate spends 2 hours and 30 minutes attempting the test, which can be divided into different sections for time management.
The four sections of the IELTS section include:
1. Reading Section
The TOEFL reading section assesses how easily you can read and understand English. You will read two passages, each approximately 700 words long. You have to answer 20 questions from the text within 35 minutes. Notably, the text usually comes from university textbooks and provides a glossary of unique terms.
2. Listening Section
To study or work in any English-speaking country, it is essential to understand different English accents. The listening section of the TOEFL exam checks this skill. You have to answer 28 questions from the three lectures and two conversations. Each lecture includes six questions, and each conversation comprises five questions. You have 36 minutes to complete this Section.
3. Writing Section
The writing section of the test evaluates your English writing abilities. You have 29 minutes to complete the writing section, divided into two tasks. The first task takes about 20 minutes, and the second takes around 9 minutes. In one task, you read and complete a short passage. In the second task, you write an academic argument in a classroom discussion.
4. Speaking Section
The Speaking Section of the test consists of 16 minutes. It evaluates how well you can speak on a given topic. This Section comprises four questions. One task requires presenting an idea or opinion on a given topic. In the next three tasks, you provide an integrated speaking test. You listen and speak or read and then speak. You get 10-15 seconds for preparation and then talk for about 45 to 60 seconds.
Updates on the TOEFL Exam Pattern
There are some updates on the TOEFL exam pattern. The test duration is shorter. Specifically, what used to take about 3 hours to complete can now be done in under 2 hours. ETS has also removed unscored questions. Now, no extra questions in the reading or listening sections do not contribute to the final score. The reading section is shorter as well. The new reading task has only two passages, each with ten questions. What used to take 54-72 minutes now only takes 35 minutes.
Conclusion
Understanding the TOEFL exam pattern is crucial for your success. It helps you prepare effectively and boosts your confidence—each Section of the exam—Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking—tests different skills. Additionally, knowing the structure and timing of each Section allows you to manage your time better. With recent updates, the exam is now shorter and more straightforward. This means you can focus more on quality than quantity. Remember, thorough preparation is key to achieving a high score. Use available resources and practice regularly to improve your skills. Good luck on your TOEFL journey.
