Master the TOEFL Exam: 2023 vs. 2024 Exam Pattern Changes Revealed
If your aspirations include pursuing higher education in English-speaking countries like Canada or the USA, you would be aware of the significance of possessing an impeccable command of the English language. These countries conduct the TOEFL, a standardized examination to assess your language proficiency. This globally acknowledged test serves as a critical yardstick to understand individuals’ ability to read, write, listen and speak in English within a profession or academic context.
The benefits of the TOEFL exam have multiple aspects for countries and individuals. For countries, it helps ensure a requisite English proficiency standard among international students, foreign workers and immigrants. This fosters clear communication and integration among English-speaking communities. It also helps in maintaining the quality of education and services offered by educational institutions and businesses, thereby upholding their global reputation.
This exam holds equal importance for individuals, too. It is a golden ticket for those who aspire to overseas education, especially in the United States. A number of universities and institutions mandate TOEFL marks as a part of their admission process. High scores in this test demonstrate the applicant’s language competence and ability to reach new heights academically in an English-centric milieu. Also, this test is required for acquiring student visas, which are indispensable for international students.
This test is mandatory for professionals involved in fields such as engineering, healthcare and business. It helps them procure work permits and licenses in English-speaking nations. The test ensures that professionals can communicate with colleagues and clients and adhere to the stringent language standards of their respective industries.
While it is indispensable for both nations and individuals, the TOEFL Exam pattern and syllabus hold pivotal importance for individuals.
TOEFL iBT or TOEFL Essential: Which one is better?
The TOEFL iBT is a part of the Educational Testing Service’s portfolio of language assessment exams and measures the accuracy of English proficiency. This test is the best to take if you are a student who wishes to study abroad.
The TOEFL Essentials test measures the core elements of English proficiency in general and academic contexts. It is short, has fast-paced questions and checks the basic grammar and vocabulary of the candidate. This test is meant for applicants who wish to visit the country for work or immigration purposes.
The Evolving TOEFL Exam Pattern
Administered by the Educational Testing Services (ETS), this English language proficiency test is divided into four sections: Speaking, Writing, Listening and Reading. This test can be taken from your computer at home, and it will be monitored by a human proctor. Understanding the TOEFL exam pattern is no rocket science, but it is crucial for effective preparation. This exam covers academic English and general English questions that assess the candidates’ skill levels for internships, higher education, interviews, jobs, etc.
- TOEFL iBT test: Test on a computer at an authorized test center.
- TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Test on a computer at home.
- TOEFL iBT Paper Edition: Test in 2 sessions — Reading, Listening, and Writing on paper at an authorized test center, and Speaking on a computer at home.
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2023
| TOEFL Sections | Tasks | Number of Questions | Duration |
| Reading | Reading the texts, passages and vocabulary-related questions | 20 questions | 35 minutes |
| Listening | Listen to conversations, announcements, talks and answer the questions | 28 questions | 36 minutes |
| Speaking | Reading out the written texts, recorded audios and one simulated interview | 4 tasks | 16 minutes |
| Writing | Sentence building, Email writing, Image description writing / Opinionated writing for an academic discussion | 2 tasks | 29 minutes |
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2024
| TOEFL Sections | Tasks | Number of Questions | Duration |
| Reading | Reading the texts, passages and vocabulary-related questions | 30-45 questions | 22-33 minutes |
| Listening | Listen to conversations, announcements, talks and answer the questions | 30-45 questions | 21-34 minutes |
| Speaking | Reading out the written texts, recorded audios and one simulated interview | 3 tasks | 13 minutes |
| Writing | Sentence building, Email writing, Image description writing / Opinionated writing for an academic discussion | 14–18 questions and 2 tasks | 24-30 minutes |
| Personal Video Statement | Answer about yourself and others on a given random topic | 2 tasks | 5 minutes |
TOEFL Exam Marks Pattern
| SKILL | SCORE RANGE | LEVEL |
| Reading
|
0-30 | High (22-30)
Intermediate (15-21) Low (0-13) |
| Listening | 0-30 | High (22-30)
Intermediate (14-21) Low(0-13) |
| Speaking | 0-30 | Good (26-30)
Fair (18-25) Limited (10-17) Weak (0-9) |
| Writing | 0-30 | Good (24-30)
Fair (17-23) Limited (1-16)
|
| Total Score | 0-120 |
Also read: What is a Good TOEFL Score?
TOEFL Exam Syllabus
The best part about the TOEFL Exam syllabus is that it has always stayed consistent. Both. In 2023 and 2024, the syllabus will remain the same. The questions in the Reading and Listening sections may change from test to test, but they are from the same academic disciplines. In the other two sections, Writing and Speaking, candidates are required to express themselves, so there is not no syllabus for that.
Following is the TOEFL Exam Syllabus:
- Reading Comprehension
In this section, the candidate is tested on his/her responsiveness. They will be provided with multiple passages and questions related to the same passage. The candidate will have to answer those questions by reading the comprehension.
-
Listening section
In this section, the candidate is tested on their ability to understand the language. They will have to listen to both long and short-length conversations and answer the questions related to them. For short audio, the candidate is asked one question with four choices of answers, whereas in long audio, there are multiple objective questions.
-
Speaking Section
In this section, the candidates are judged on their ability to speak the English language correctly and without stuttering. They have to be clearly understandable and conversational in English.
-
Writing
In this section, the candidate is judged on their ability to write grammatically correct English. They are judged for their vocabulary and clarity.
Also read: How to Get a Better Score at the TOEFL Writing Test?
TOEFL Exam Fee
The TOEFL Exam Fee for 2023 and 2024 remains the same. The exam fee varies from location to location. In India, the TOEFL Exam Fee is ₹16,900. The candidate is charged extra in case of late registration, rescheduling the exam or if they want to review their score.
TOEFL Exam Pattern – Important points
- Different modes of examination- TOEFL is conducted on both the internet and paper. The choice is yours.
- Sections in an exam- There are a total of four sections in the TOEFL exam- reading, writing, speaking and listening. All these sections are mandatory to attempt, and I aim to score high in every section.
- Rest for 10 minutes- After attempting two sections( reading and listening), the candidates are provided with a 10-minute break.
- Exam marks pattern- Computers provide the score for 2 sections, namely reading and listening. But for speaking and writing sections, humans provide the scores.
TOEFL Test Validity
The validity of your scores for the TOEFL Exam is 2 years. As soon as your results are out, you can download your report card and print a PDF copy of your score report and use it at your convenience.
Final Verdict
In an era where communication has no boundaries, mastering the English language is a necessity. The evolving TOEFL Exam pattern is a reflection of the dynamic landscape of language assessment. Whether you are a student with the dreams of studying abroad or a professional seeking better job opportunities in other nations. The TOEFL exam is important for you. As you buckle up your shoes for TOEFL exam preparation, remember that support and guidance can be your greatest assets. That is where MSM Unify comes into the picture. It is your partner in unlocking the world of opportunities.
MSM Unify is a student marketplace connecting students with educational institutions and recruitment partners globally. Our team deeply understands your requirements and guides you by providing preparation tips, college names, and all exam-related information. Reach out to our team to ensure you have the complete and correct information for your TOEFL Exam 2024.
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