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TOEFL Exam Pattern: Complete Guide to Sections, Format, and Tips

Home / Exams Test / TOEFL / TOEFL Exam Pattern

TOEFL Exam Pattern:
Complete Guide to Sections, Format, and Tips

TOEFL Exam Pattern

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an essential exam for non-native English speakers planning to study or work in English-speaking countries. Accepted by over 12,000 institutions worldwide, it assesses academic English proficiency in four key areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Proper understanding of the exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation and achieving a high score.

MSM Unify, a leading overseas education consultant, can assist you in your TOEFL exam preparation, offering expert guidance and resources. In this guide, the MSM Unify team provides a detailed overview of the TOEFL exam pattern to make your preparation journey smoother and more effective.

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TOEFL exam structure

The TOEFL exam format details the number of questions, time allocation, and key tasks for each section. Familiarity with this structure is essential for effective preparation. Here’s an overview:

TOEFL iBT format

Section	Questions	Time	Tasks
Reading	20	35 min	Read passages and answer questions
Listening	28	36 min	Answer based on lectures & conversations
Speaking	4 tasks	16 min	Express opinions, respond to audio/texts
Writing	2 tasks	29 min	Write responses to integrated tasks

TOEFL paper edition format

Section	Questions	Time	Tasks
Reading	30-40	54-72 min	Read passages, answer questions
Listening	28-39	41-57 min	Respond to lectures & discussions
Writing	2 tasks	50 min	Write based on reading/listening
Speaking (Home)	4 tasks	17 min	Discuss topics, respond to audio/texts

Understanding the structure, types of questions, and duration is crucial for excelling in the TOEFL.

TOEFL exam pattern and its different sections

The TOEFL exam evaluates four essential English language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. These sections measure a candidate’s ability to comprehend, communicate, and interact effectively in English, ensuring they are prepared to live, work, and study in English-speaking countries.

Candidates are given approximately 2.5 hours to complete the test. Effective time management is crucial to excel in each section. Below is a detailed breakdown of each TOEFL section, including their timing, tasks, and objectives.

TOEFL exam overview

Section	Time	Questions/Tasks	Overview
Reading	35 minutes	20 questions	Read academic passages and answer related questions.
Listening	36 minutes	28 questions	Listen to lectures and conversations; answer questions.
Speaking	16 minutes	4 tasks	Speak on familiar topics and discuss the provided material.
Writing	29 minutes	2 tasks	Write responses to readings and provide opinions.

1. TOEFL Reading section

The Reading section assesses the ability to understand and analyze academic texts. It includes two passages, each around 700 words, with questions focused on comprehension, inference, and summarization.

Details	Description
Total questions	20 questions
Passages	2 passages (10 questions each)
Time limit	35 minutes
Content	Extracts from university textbooks, glossaries
Purpose	Evaluate reading and comprehension skills

2. TOEFL Listening section

This section checks the ability to understand spoken English in academic settings. Candidates listen to lectures and conversations then answer questions that test comprehension and the ability to synthesize information.

Details	Description
Total questions	28 questions
Lectures	3 lectures (6 questions each)
Conversations	2 conversations (5 questions each)
Time limit	36 minutes
Purpose	Assess understanding of various English accents and academic discussions

3. TOEFL Writing section

The Writing section evaluates the ability to construct well-organized and clear responses to prompts. It includes two tasks: one based on reading and listening to a passage, and another on expressing opinions in an academic context.

Details	Description
Total tasks	2 tasks
Task 1	Write after reading and listening (20 minutes)
Task 2	Write an opinion on an academic discussion (9 minutes)
Total time	29 minutes
Purpose	Evaluate academic writing and argumentation skills

4. TOEFL Speaking section

This section assesses speaking abilities in various scenarios, combining independent and integrated tasks. Candidates respond to topics they read or listen to, demonstrating their ability to articulate ideas clearly.

Details	Description
Total questions	4 tasks
Task types	Independent and integrated speaking tasks
Preparation time	10-15 seconds per question
Speaking time	45-60 seconds per question
Total time	16 minutes
Purpose	Test ability to speak fluently and coherently

Comparison: New vs. old TOEFL pattern

The TOEFL exam underwent significant changes in July 2023 to streamline the test-taking experience. Here’s a comparison:

TOEFL sections	Old pattern	New pattern
Reading	54-72 min, 30-40 questions	35 min, 20 questions
Listening	41-57 min, 28-39 questions	36 min, 28 questions
Speaking	17 min, 4 tasks	16 min, 4 tasks
Writing	50 min, 2 tasks	29 min, 2 tasks
Total duration	162-196 minutes	116 minutes

These changes have shortened the total duration of the exam while maintaining the same scoring criteria (0-120).

Features of the new TOEFL exam pattern

The latest TOEFL exam pattern introduced several updates aimed at enhancing the test-taking experience. The changes primarily focus on shortening the test duration, revising specific question formats, and improving the overall user interface on the ETS platform. Here are the key features:

Shortened test duration
The TOEFL iBT test has been reduced to approximately 2 hours, making it more manageable for test-takers. This change helps reduce fatigue and allows candidates to focus better on each section without losing concentration due to the extended duration.
Updated writing task
The most significant change is in the Writing section. The traditional Independent Writing task has been replaced with the new Academic Discussion Task In this task, test-takers need to express and support their opinions in response to a prompt, similar to participating in an academic discussion.
No changes in preparation materials
Despite the modifications, ETS has confirmed that existing preparation materials remain valid. Test-takers can continue using previous resources for practice, as the core skills being assessed have not changed.
Enhanced user interface:
The updated ETS platform offers a more user-friendly experience for registration, rescheduling, and tracking score status. This streamlined interface allows candidates to manage their TOEFL journey more efficiently.
Score reporting flexibility
Test-takers can utilize the TOEFL MyBest™ scores which combine the highest section scores from all attempts within two years. This allows candidates to showcase their best performance to universities, enhancing their admission chances.
Improved test-taking options
The TOEFL iBT now includes both a Paper Edition and a Home Edition, providing flexibility for candidates based on their location and preference. The Paper Edition allows students to complete the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections on paper at a test center, while the Speaking section is conducted at home.
Easier score tracking
With the new features, students can now easily monitor their scores and deadlines. This is particularly helpful for meeting university application deadlines and planning retakes if necessary.
No negative marking
The TOEFL exam follows a straightforward scoring system with no penalty for incorrect answers, allowing test-takers to attempt all questions without fear of losing points.

Conclusion

Understanding the TOEFL exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation. Whether you choose the iBT or PBT format, being familiar with the test structure and question types will significantly boost your performance. MSM Unify, with its extensive network of over 1,500 campuses and 50,000+ programs, can guide you in choosing the best study options based on your TOEFL scores. Contact MSM Unify today for personalized assistance and take the first step toward your study-abroad journey!

TOEFL all pages...

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MSM Unify can help you achieve your desired scores through access to preparation resources, mock tests, and expert guidance.

So, connect with these experts to embark on your comprehensive test preparation journey soon!

MSM Unify can help you achieve your desired scores through access to preparation resources, mock tests, and expert guidance.

So, connect with these experts to embark on your comprehensive test preparation journey soon!

FAQs

Got questions?

Find answers here

Q. How often is the TOEFL test conducted?

TOEFL is offered multiple times a year, with over 60 test dates globally, ensuring flexibility for students.

Q. Can I retake the TOEFL exam?

Yes, candidates can retake the TOEFL as many times as needed, with a mandatory gap of at least 3 days between attempts.

Q. What documents are needed for TOEFL registration?

A valid passport and a confirmation email from ETS are required. For candidates under 15, a parental consent form is also necessary.

Q. What is the TOEFL registration fee in India?

The registration fee for the TOEFL exam in India is approximately ₹17,000.

Q. Is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition accepted by universities?

Yes, most universities accept TOEFL iBT Home Edition scores, and the scoring system is the same as the test center version.

Q. Can I cancel my TOEFL registration?

Yes, you can cancel up to 4 days before the test date and receive a 50% refund of the registration fee.

Q. How long are TOEFL scores valid?

TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date.

Q. Can I reschedule my TOEFL test date?

Yes, you can reschedule up to 4 days before the test date for a fee of approximately ₹4,800.

Q. How can MSM Unify help with TOEFL preparation?

MSM Unify offers comprehensive guidance on TOEFL preparation, program selection, and study-abroad options, helping students choose the right path based on their goals.

Q. What are the differences between TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT?

TOEFL iBT includes all four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), while TOEFL PBT does not include the Speaking section.

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July Intake in Australia 2025: Everything You Need to Know

MSM Unify’s $20 Million Investment Plan: Empowering Indian Students with Global Education

TOEFL Exam Pattern: Complete Guide to Sections, Format, and Tips

TOEFL Exam Pattern

TOEFL exam structure

TOEFL iBT format

TOEFL paper edition format

TOEFL exam pattern and its different sections

TOEFL exam overview

1. TOEFL Reading section

2. TOEFL Listening section

3. TOEFL Writing section

4. TOEFL Speaking section

Comparison: New vs. old TOEFL pattern

Features of the new TOEFL exam pattern

Shortened test duration

Updated writing task

No changes in preparation materials

Enhanced user interface:

Score reporting flexibility

Improved test-taking options

Easier score tracking

No negative marking

Conclusion

TOEFL all pages...

Interested in studying abroad?

MSM Unify can help you achieve your desired scores through access to preparation resources, mock tests, and expert guidance.

FAQs

Got questions?

Find answers here

Q. How often is the TOEFL test conducted?

Q. Can I retake the TOEFL exam?

Q. What documents are needed for TOEFL registration?

Q. What is the TOEFL registration fee in India?

Q. Is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition accepted by universities?

Q. Can I cancel my TOEFL registration?

Q. How long are TOEFL scores valid?

Q. Can I reschedule my TOEFL test date?

Q. How can MSM Unify help with TOEFL preparation?

Q. What are the differences between TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT?

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