TOEFL Listening: Question Types, Score, Preparation Tips, and Practice Papers
Content Curator | Updated On - Apr 1, 2024
TOEFL listening analyzes a candidate's ability to understand English lectures and conversations. The test format for TOEFL iBT and paper-based exams is different. In TOEFL iBT section, candidates are allotted 36 minutes to complete the exam, which consists of 28 questions. While the paper-based TOEFL listening contains 28–39 questions and takes 41- 57 minutes to complete. TOEFL iBT listening practice includes basic comprehension, understanding of the speaker's attitude, and connection information. Paper-based and TOEFL iBT listening, both sections have scored on a scale of 0-30.
The question types in TOEFL reading varies. You will get 3 lectures, some with classroom discussion. Each of the TOEFL listening question is for 3–5 minutes. There will be 6 questions asked per lecture. The second type of question is 2 conversations, each of 3 minutes time and 5 questions per conversation. Answering each and every question will help to improve TOEFL score.
The audio will be played once and then will disappear. You must take notes on any audio item throughout the test to help you answer questions. Since you will not be able to listen to the audio twice, the notes will help while answering. TOEFL Listening section recording includes native-speaker English accents from North America, the U.K., New Zealand or Australia. Achievin a score of 22+ is considered as a good TOEFL score. This helps to understand the variety of accents you might encounter while studying abroad
TOEFL Listening Exam Pattern
TOEFL listening section is divided into two parts. The listening part TOEFL evaluates candidates with 3–4 lectures, that are based on classroom discussion. There are 6 questions per lecture and allotted 3–5 minutes for each. TOEFL exam pattern for listening also consists of 2–4 conversations of 3 minutes, and there are 5 questions per conversation. Candidates will get 41–47 minutes to complete the paper-based TOEFL listening test. The iBT TOEFL exam listening allotted 36 minutes to candidates.
| Exam Patterns | No. of Lectures | No. of Conversations | Total Allotted Time |
| TOEFL iBT | 3 | 2 | 36 minutes |
| TOEFL Paper-based | 3-4 | 2-3 | 41–47 minutes |
TOEFL Listening Question Types
TOEFL listening samples focus on the candidate's English-speaking abilities. TOEFL listening topics contain different types of questions. TOEFL listening practice includes 7 different types of question topics. Candidates are required to have a better understanding of the TOEFL exam pattern for TOEFL iBT listening practice.
- Gist-Content and Gist-Purpose
- Detail
- Function
- Attitude
- Organization
- Connecting Content
- Inference
TOEFL Listening Score
TOEFL listening score ranges on a scale of 0-30. The candidate's score on the listening test evaluates four proficiency levels. TOEFL iBT home edition and test center results are delivered within 4–8 days after the test date. Candidates will get their TOEFL paper edition results 11–13 days after their TOEFL exam date.
| Proficiency Level | Score Range |
| Advance Level | 22 - 30 |
| High-Intermediate Level | 17 -21 |
| Low-Intermediate Level | 9 - 16 |
| Below Low-Intermediate Level | 0 - 8 |
TOEFL Listening Raw Score to Scaled Score Calculation
TOEFL listening raw score will vary and depend on the number of questions. The maximum raw score for TOEFL listening topics is 34. Candidates must have a better understanding of calculating raw scores to scaled TOEFL listening scores.
| TOEFL Listening Raw Score | TOEFL Listening Scaled Score |
| 34 | 30 |
| 33 | 29 |
| 32 | 27 |
| 31 | 26 |
| 30 | 25 |
| 29 | 24 |
| 28 | 22 |
| 27 | 20 |
| 26 | 19 |
| 25 | 18 |
| 24 | 17 |
| 23 | 16 |
| 22 | 15 |
| 21 | 14 |
| 20 | 13 |
| 19 | 12 |
| 18 | 10 |
| 17 | 9 |
| 16 | 8 |
| 15 | 7 |
| 14 | 6 |
| 13 | 5 |
| 12 | 4 |
| 11 | 3 |
| 10 | 2 |
| 9 | 1 |
| 8 and below | 0 |
Preparation Tips and Strategies for TOEFL Listening
TOEFL listening preparation includes reading books and solving regular TOEFL listening practice tests. Candidates need to have good note-taking and English vocabulary skills. Here are some top TOEFL preparation tips and strategies candidates must follow to achieve their desired scores:
- Note-taking habits: Missing out on information is the most common mistake by students. Effective TOEFL iBT listening practice includes strong note-taking skills to give the right answers.
- Strong Vocabulary skills: Candidates need to use perfect and correct words, phrases, or idioms in the TOEFL listening test. Enhancing vocabulary skills can help students to prepare for the TOEFL exam syllabus.
- Understand the exam pattern: Candidates must have a clear understanding of the speaking exam pattern. By practicing regular TOEFL listening mock tests, candidates can ace the exam preparation.
- Use Practice Materials: Sometimes candidates are not able to understand the speaker’s accent, or the information clearly. Candidates need regular TOEFL exam listening practice to solve these listening barriers. There are many TOEFL listening practice tests with answers available for student’s better preparation.
TOEFL Listening Books
Candidates can follow the best available books for effective TOEFL exam listening practice. These TOEFL books contain comprehensive study materials, sample tests, and previous year question patterns.
- The Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test, 6th Edition - Check PDF
- Barron's "TOEFL iBT, 17th Edition - Check PDF
- Cambridge Preparation for TOEFL: Check PDF
- Barron’s TOEFL iBT, 15th Edition: Check PDF
- Kaplan TOEFL iBT: Check PDF
- Barron’s Essential Words for the TOEFL, 7th Edition: Check PDF
TOEFL Listening Practice Papers
TOEFL exam listening practice includes 3–4 lectures and 2–4 conversations. Every conversation consists of 3 minutes, and 5 questions each. Lectures are basically based on classroom discussion including 6 questions each. TOEFL listening practice free sample papers are available for candidate's better preparation.
TOEFL listening section requires strong vocabulary and note-taking abilities. Candidates need to understand the TOEFL exam listening exam pattern and practice accordingly. TOEFL listening score ranges on a scale of 0-30. A score ranging between 22 - 30 is considered as an advanced-level TOEFL listening score.
FAQs
Ques: What is the TOEFL Listening section?
Ans: TOEFL listening analyzes a candidate's ability to understand English lectures and conversations. Candidates are allotted 36 minutes to complete TOEFL listening, which consists of 28 questions.
Ques: How long is the TOEFL Listening section?
Ans: Candidates are allocated 36 minutes to complete TOEFL listening section. This section includes basic comprehension, understanding of the speaker's attitude, and connection information
Ques: How many questions are there in the TOEFL Listening section?
Ans: TOEFL has recently updated its exam pattern, and now the listening section include 28 questions.
Ques: What types of questions are asked in the Listening section?
Ans: TOEFL listening section include 3 lectures and 2 conversations. There are 6 questions per lecture, and 5 questions per conversation.
Ques: What are some strategies for answering Listening questions?
Ans: The audio will be played once and then will disappear. You must take notes on any audio item throughout the test to help you answer questions.
Ques: What kind of audio recordings are used in the Listening section?
Ans: TOEFL listening section include 3 lectures and 2 conversations, and the recordings only played once.
Ques: What is the typical pace of the speakers in the recordings?
Ans: The speakers speak at a natural pace, similar to what candidates are mostly face on academic environment.
Ques: Can the audio recordings be replayed during the test?
Ans: No, the audio recording only played once before starting of the test. You will not be able to listen to the audio twice, the notes will help while answering.
Ques: How can I improve my listening skills for the TOEFL?
Ans: You can improve your listening skills by practice active listening, taking practice tests, and by developing note-taking abilities.
Ques: Where can I find practice materials for the TOEFL Listening section?
Ans: You can find the best and updated TOEFL listening test papers from the official ETS website. There are other reputable website and apps that provides effective test papers for TOEFL listening.
Ques: What should I do in the minutes before the Listening section starts?
Ans: Before starting of the listening test relax, and focus on the audio. Take proper notes while listening to the audio will help you to give proper answers.
Ques: Should I take notes during the listening passages?
Ans: Taking proper notes while listening to the audio is very helpful, as the audio will only play once. Taking proper notes help the candidates to give proper answers.
Ques: What happens if I miss something during the listening passage?
Ans: Don't focus on the missed information, always keep focusing on understanding the following audio and take proper notes.
Ques: What should I do if I'm unsure about an answer choice?
Ans: If you unsure about your answer choice, use process of elimination, and choose the response that best aligns with the information presented in the audio.
Ques: Is the TOEFL Listening section adaptive?
Ans: The listening section is not adaptive, meaning the difficulty level remains consistent thought the test.
Ques: What score range is considered good for the Listening section?
Ans: TOEFL listening section is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, and achieving a score of 22 is considered as a good score.
Ques: Can I use any aids like dictionaries or translators during the Listening section?
Ans: No, external aids are not allowed in the test center. Candidates need to follow TOEFL test center guidelines before entering to a test center.
Ques: What happens if I arrive late for the Listening section?
Ans: Arriving late is generally not allowed for TOEFL test, if you arrive late at the test center, your exam might get cancelled.
Ques: Is there a break in between the Listening and other sections of the TOEFL test?
Ans: No, on the TOEFL new pattern, there are no breaks on TOEFL iBT exam. The exam is now 1 hour and 56 minute long.
Ques: How will my performance in the Listening section be scored?
Ans: TOEFL listening score is ranges on a scale of 0-30, and your achieved listening section score is calculated as the overall score. Achieving a score of 22+ on the listening section is considered as a good score.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.