TOEFL Exam Pattern: New Changes, Exam Types, Syllabus, and Scoring Pattern
Content Curator | Updated On - Mar 5, 2024
TOEFL exam pattern consists of four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. TOEFL iBT test is widely accepted and evaluates a candidate's English communication ability at the university level. TOEFL iBT test for administrations changes the test time from the beginning of July 26, 2023. TOEFL new pattern takes 1 hour and 56 minutes to complete the test, previously the exam was 3 hours long.
ETS has changed the exam timing and brought some major changes to TOEFL exam syllabus as well. All unscored questions have been removed from TOEFL examination pattern. ETS also updated the payment modes of TOEFL fees, the local payment options have been introduced. Candidates are advised to do effective preparation of TOEFL new pattern from the verified resources only.
The total TOEFL score pattern ranges from 0 to 120, and each section is scored on the 0-30 level. Universities and colleges worldwide have different TOEFL score cut-off requirements for students. The overall score scale remains the same on the updated TOEFL exam pattern, but the number of questions has been reduced. Having a better understanding of TOEFL exam pattern and marks is very important to achieve your targeted score.
New Changes in TOEFL Exam Pattern
Administrations beginning in 2023, The TOEFL iBT test will now take less than two hours to complete, previously it took three hours to complete. A new, more modern “Writing for an Academic Discussion” task was added to TOEFL exam pattern 2023. The reading section is also updated and is now shorter than the previous section in the updated TOEFL exam syllabus. TOEFL new pattern streamlined instructions and navigation throughout the test, and also removed all unscored test questions.
| Sections | Exam Timing | Question/Tasks |
| Reading | 35 Minutes | 20 Questions |
| Listening | 36 Minutes | 28 Questions |
| Writing | 29 Minutes | 2 Tasks |
| Speaking | 16 Minutes | 4 Tasks |
TOEFL Exam Types
TOEFL test pattern has three different formats. Candidates can do TOEFL registration through the official website. TOEFL on a computer is conducted at an authorized test center, and TOEFL on a computer at home is monitored by a live human proctor. TOEFL iBT paper edition is conducted into two test sections. The reading, listening, and writing section is conducted on paper at a test center, and the speaking section is conducted on a computer at home. TOEFL preparation requires a better understanding of every section of every section of the exam.
- TOEFL iBT test: on a computer at an authorized test center.
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition: on a computer at home, monitored by a live human proctor.
- TOEFL iBT Paper Edition: Two test sessions:
- TOEFL Reading, Listening, and Writing sections: on paper at a test center.
- TOEFL Speaking section: on a computer at home.
TOEFL Internet-based Test
TOEFL iBT exam pattern consists of four sections, that evaluate all academic English skills-reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills. TOEFL exam pattern and marks measure the candidate's basic language skills and communication skills. Candidates are required to check their TOEFL eligibility before completing the registration. All the tasks in the test focus on the language used in an academic, higher-education environment.
TOEFL Test Home Edition
The TOEFL Test Home Edition is essentially the same as the iBT TOEFL pattern. The only difference is that TOEFL iBT Home Edition is on a computer at home, monitored by a live human proctor. The proctor examines candidates through a web camera and through the sharing of the computer screen.
TOEFL Paper Edition Test
The TOEFL Paper-based test is an official test by ETS, that is completely conducted by pen and paper. The Reading, Speaking, and Listening sections given in a TOEFL test center take about 3 hours to complete. The Speaking section, which candidates take at home, takes about 16 minutes to complete. Candidates require expert guidance and regular practice of TOEFL paper pattern to achieve their desired TOEFL score.
TOEFL Exam Syllabus
The TOEFL syllabus and pattern consist of four sections. The TOEFL internet-based test, and home edition, follow TOEFL latest pattern. ETS has sorted TOEFL syllabus and pattern, now the test will take less than two hours to complete. TOEFL paper edition test, reading, speaking, and listening sections at a test center take about 3 hours to complete. TOEFL speaking section topics, which candidates take at home, take about 16 minutes to complete.
Sections | TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Home Edition | TOEFL Paper Edition Test | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Time Limit | Questions | Time Limit | Questions | |
| Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | 54–72 minutes | 20 questions |
| Writing | 29 minutes | 2 tasks | 50 minutes | 2 tasks |
| Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | 41–57 minutes | 28–39 questions |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 tasks | 17 minutes | 4 tasks |
TOEFL Reading Pattern
TOEFL reading pattern evaluates a candidate's reading and understanding of materials used in an academic environment. This section includes two reading passages, each approximately 700 words long, with 10 questions per passage. Reading section TOEFL question pattern should take about 35 minutes to complete. Candidates are given a passage, these passages cover a variety of subjects. All the information candidates need to answer the questions will be included in the passage.
Sample:
TOEFL Listening Pattern
TOEFL listening section is designed to evaluate a candidate's ability to communicate, and lecture in English. TOEFL listening section includes basic comprehension, understanding of the speaker's attitude, and connecting information. Candidates are given 3 lectures and 2 conversations. There are 6 questions per lecture and 5 questions per conversation.
Sample:
TOEFL Writing Pattern
TOEFL writing section measures the candidate's ability to write in an academic setting. Candidates need to present their ideas in a clear and well-organized way. There are two types of TOEFL writing tasks, integrated writing, and writing for an academic discussion task.
Sample:
TOEFL Speaking Pattern
On the speakng section of TOEFL exam pattern candidates will need to speak into the microphone and the responses will be recorded. TOEFL speaking section topics contain 4 tasks. Candidates are given 15–30 seconds of preparation, and 45–60 seconds for the response.
Sample:
TOEFL Scoring Pattern
Candidates are required to understand how each section of TOEFL marks pattern. Candidates will receive their results through email from ETS, six days after taking the exam. TOEFL scores can be found online, and candidate’s printed score reports are emailed to them 11 days after TOEFL exam date.
| Section | Score Range | Mean Score |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 0–30 | 20 |
| Listening | 0–30 | 19 |
| Speaking | 0–30 | 19 |
| Writing | 0–30 | 20 |
| Total Score | 0–120 | 78 |
TOEFL test, conducted by ETS, is the most accepted and preferred test of academic English language proficiency. To achieve a good score on TOEFL exam, candidates are required to understand the paper edition, TOEFL iBT home edition and pattern.
FAQs
Ques: What is the TOEFL exam pattern?
Ans: TOEFL exam pattern consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section assesses your English language proficiency in a specific area.
Ques: What is the total duration of the TOEFL exam?
Ans: Previously, The total duration of the TOEFL exam was approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes. Candidates are allocated 1 hour and 56 minutes to complete TOEFL new pattern.
Ques: How many questions are there in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: There are 48 questions divided into reading and listening sections, the writing section includes 2 tasks, and the speaking section has 4 tasks.
Ques: Is the TOEFL exam computer-based or paper-based?
Ans: TOEFL iBT exam is administered in a computer-based format, and the scores are accepted by more than 12,500 universities and institutions in over 160 countries.
Ques: What is the scoring range of the TOEFL exam?
Ans: TOEFL exam is scored on a scale of 0–120 points, with each section contributing 30 points to the total score.
Ques: How many reading passages are there in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: TOEFL Reading section has two passages with 10 questions each. The time required to complete the TOEFL reading section is 35 minutes.
Ques: What kind of texts are used in the reading passages?
Ans: TOEFL Reading passages include a variety of topics. They are excerpts from university-level textbooks that would be used in introductions to a topic.
Ques: What types of questions are asked in the reading section?
Ans: TOEFL reading section questions assess your comprehension of the passage, your ability to identify key points, and your understanding of vocabulary and sentence structure.
Ques: How many listening passages are there in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: You will get 3 lectures, and there will be 6 questions asked per lecture. The second type of question is 2 conversations, and there are 5 questions per conversation.
Ques: How long are the listening passages in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: TOEFL listening passages time range in length from 3 to 5 minutes, and there are 3 lectures and 2 conversations.
Ques: What types of questions are asked in the listening section?
Ans: TOEFL listening section questions assess your comprehension of the main ideas and details of the listening passages, as well as your ability to recognize the speaker's purpose, follow arguments, and identify specific information.
Ques: How many speaking tasks are there in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: There are 4 speaking tasks in the TOEFL exam; Independent Speaking Task and Integrated Speaking Tasks. You will get 15–30 seconds for preparation before each response.
Ques: What types of prompts are used in the speaking tasks?
Ans: TOEFL speaking tasks involve independent and integrated speaking tasks. Independent tasks ask you to speak about familiar topics, while integrated tasks require you to summarize information from a reading passage and listening passage and then express your opinion on the topic.
Ques: How long do you have to respond to each speaking task?
Ans: You will get 15–30 seconds for preparation before each response. You will speak in the microphone and the responses will be recorded.
Ques: How many writing tasks are there in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: There are 2 writing tasks in the TOEFL exam. TOEFL writing includes an integrated writing assignment and writing for an academic discussion task.
Ques: What are the writing prompts in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: The first writing task of TOEFL exam is an integrated writing task, where you summarize information from a reading passage and listening passage and then state your opinion on the topic. The second task is the academic discussion task, you need to state and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion.
Ques: How long do you have to complete each writing task?
Ans: The Integrated writing task should be around 20 minutes and the Academic Discussion task should be around 10 minutes.
Ques: When can I receive my TOEFL scores?
Ans: Candidates taking the exam at a test center or home can access their TOEFL scores after 4–8 days. The iBT paper edition TOEFL marks are available 11–13 days after the exam.
Ques: How long are my TOEFL scores valid for?
Ans: TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. You need to send your additional score report to the universities within this valid time frame.
Ques: What resources can I use to prepare for the TOEFL exam?
Ans: ETS, the official TOEFL provider, offers a variety of resources including practice tests, sample questions, and study guides. Additionally, many educational institutions and websites offer TOEFL preparation materials and courses.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.