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The Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFLs, pronounced "toe-full" or sometimes "toy-ful") evaluates the potential success of an individual to use and understand Standard American English at a college level. It is required for non-native applicants at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then is deleted from the official database. Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent TOEFL score.
The TOEFL test is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is administered worldwide. The test was first administered in 1964 and has since been taken by nearly 20 million students.
Internet-Based Test
| Task |
iBT |
Approx. time |
READING
| 3 passages and 39 questions |
60 minutes |
| LISTENING |
6 passages and 34 questions |
50 minutes |
| SPEAKING |
6 tasks and 6 questions |
20 minutes |
| WRITING |
2 tasks and 2 questions |
55 minutes |
Computer-Based Test
- Listening Comprehension (40–60 minutes)
- Type of Questions: «Short dialogues between two or more people in academic environments. Short conversations between students, and lectures and discussions may be possible as well.» Questions were basically of the who said what type. There were 11-17 short dialogues, 2-3 short conversations and 4-6 lectures and discussions. The total number of questions was between 30 and 59.
- Structure (grammar) (15–20 minutes)
- Type of Questions: «Identify the erroneous word(s) in the sentence and complete sentences correctly through filling in the blanks using the appropriate word.» The test had 10-15 questions for identifying errors and 10-15 questions for completing sentences correctly.
- Reading Comprehension and Vocabulary (70-90 minutes)
- Type of Questions: Questions were posed about content, intent of the author, and ideas inferred from each of the 4–5 passages given.
- Essay Writing (30 minutes)
- Type of Questions: «Write an essay on a given general topic and take a position toward it, e.g., "Is stem cell research necessary? Explain your stance."
Paper-Based Test
In areas where the iBT and CBT are not available, a paper-based test (PBT) is given.
- Listening (30-40 minutes)
- It consists of three parts. The first one contains 30 questions about short conversations. The second part has 8 questions about longer conversations. The last part asks 12 questions about lectures or talks.
- Structure and Written Expression (25 minutes)
- This part has 15 exercises of completing sentences correctly and 25 exercises of identifying errors.
- Reading Comprehension (55 minutes)
- It has 50 questions about reading passages.
- Writing (30 minutes)
- One essay with 250-300 words in average.
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