Content Writer at Study Abroad Exams | Updated On - Nov 8, 2023
The TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test) is an exam that standardizes the evaluation of English language proficiency for non-native speakers. The test evaluates four language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. TOEFL Registration fee is INR 16,900. The test is taken online at authorized test centers worldwide and takes around 2 hours to complete. The TOEFL iBT is a widely recognized assessment tool by universities, employers, and immigration authorities to evaluate an individual's English language abilities.
Starting from July 26, 2023, TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) will take less than two hours to complete instead of the current three hours, and candidates will be able to see their official score release date upon completion of the test. The changes aim to create an optimal experience for those taking the test. TOEFL is universally accepted by more than 10,000 institutions in over 150 countries, including popular destinations like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, and over 98% of universities in the UK.
TOEFL iBT Approved for Canada’s Higher Learning Institutions
ETS, the Educational Testing Service, has recently announced that the TOEFL iBT test has received approval from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for inclusion in Canada's Student Direct Stream (SDS). SDS is a program designed to expedite the processing of study permits for international students who intend to enroll in designated learning institutions in Canada. As of August 10, 2023, students can include their TOEFL iBT scores as part of their SDS application. ETS claims that, as long as applicants meet all the eligibility requirements, the majority of SDS applications are processed within 20 calendar days, according to the IRCC.
Notably, the TOEFL For Canada is already accepted by all Canadian universities and is recognized as the most widely accepted English-language test worldwide. Over 12,000 institutions in 160 countries rely on the TOEFL iBT for assessing English language proficiency. ETS further stated that, alongside the TOEFL iBT, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) has also been approved for Canada's SDS program.
TOEFL Registration
According to the latest updates by ETS, test takers will have access to a simplified registration process for TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test). They can easily create an account and register for a test date. Additionally, for the first time, test prices will be available in Indian rupees, making the process more convenient for Indian candidates.
Test takers can now register up to six months in advance and change the exam date, time, or location up to four days before the test without penalty. The new registration system also enables test takers to view and compare available test dates and times at different centers, helping them choose the option that best suits their schedule. These changes give candidates more time to plan and prepare for the test and make the registration process more convenient.
Important points
- TOEFL iBT test takers can reschedule their test date for free until April 30, 2023, through their TOEFL account.
- This enables them to experience the new enhancements or take the test before the changes take effect.
- Rescheduling requests must be submitted before 11:59 p.m. local test location time the day before the original appointment.
- No fees will be charged during this period.
- The TOEFL website now offers updated versions of the TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test and TOEFL iBT Practice Sets.
- Additional free and paid test preparation options will be updated in the coming weeks to reflect these changes
TOEFL Fees
To take the TOEFL exam, there are several fees to consider, which can vary based on factors like location, date, and type of exam. Here is an overview of what test takers can expect to pay:
- Registration fee: To register for the TOEFL test, candidates are required to pay an application form fee. If you are booking your exam slot in India, the TOEFL registration fee is set at US $195.
- Rescheduling fee: If a test taker needs to reschedule their exam, there is a fee to do so. This fee typically ranges from $60 to $190, depending on location and exam type.
- Late registration fee: Test takers who register for the TOEFL exam after the regular registration deadline may be charged a late registration fee. This fee usually ranges from $40 to $80, depending on location and exam type.
- Payment methods: Test takers can pay for the exam using a credit/debit card, electronic check, PayPal account, or Western Union Quick Pay.
Additional information: The TOEFL website provides more details about fees and payment methods, as well as information about fee waivers and refunds for cancellations.
Special requests and charges for TOEFL 2023
| TOEFL iBT test fees | India Price |
|---|---|
| Registration for TOEFL iBT | INR 16,900 |
| Late Registration | INR 3,900 |
| Test Rescheduling | INR 5,900 |
| Reinstatement of Canceled Scores | INR 1,990 |
| Additional Score Reports | INR 1,950 |
| Speaking or Writing Section Score Review: | INR 7,900 |
| Payment Return | INR 2,900 |
TOEFL Essentials
The TOEFL Essentials Test is a high-quality exam developed in response to the trend for applicants who want to take the TOEFL from the comfort of their own homes. Similar to the TOEFL iBT exam, the TOEFL Essentials examination assesses the four fundamental language skills of a test taker: speaking, reading, writing, and listening. The TOEFL Essentials Test, on the other hand, is shorter and involves problems that are applicable to both academic and real-life situations.
TOEFL iBT Exam Pattern
Starting July 2023, TOEFL iBT will feature a shorter test-taking time with the same number of questions as the current exam format. This will be achieved by reducing the length of the reading and listening sections, allowing test takers more time to focus on the other parts of the TOEFL exam pattern. In the existing writing section, independent writing will be replaced by "Write for an Academic Discussion". Additionally, the updated test will feature more interactive questions and tasks, such as virtual whiteboards and video recording responses. The goal of these changes is to make the test more engaging and better reflect real-world English communication scenarios.
| Section | No. of Questions | Timing (minutes) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 20 Questions | 35 |
| Listening | 28 Questions | 36 |
| Speaking | 4 Tasks | 16 |
| Writing | 2 Tasks | 29 |
| Total | Under 2 hours (1hr 56min) | |
TOEFL Eligibility Criteria
For TOEFL eligibility, you must meet the following requirements:
- Age: There is no age limit for taking the TOEFL exam. However, test-takers under the age of 16 may need to provide additional documentation to prove their identity.
- Educational Qualifications: TOEFL does not require any specific educational qualifications. Anyone can take the exam regardless of their academic background.
- English Language Proficiency: The TOEFL exam is designed for non-native English speakers who want to study or work in an English-speaking environment. Therefore, test-takers should have a basic understanding of the English language.
- Valid ID: Test-takers must provide a valid government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver's license, during the registration process.
It's important to note that the TOEFL exam is widely accepted by universities and institutions worldwide, but individual institutions may have their own specific eligibility requirements. Test-takers should check with the institution they are applying to for more information on their eligibility criteria.
TOEFL Reading Pattern
The candidates will get 20 questions based on some passages in the TOEFL Reading section. This section will evaluate the candidate's capabilities to understand English along with their ability to provide an effective response to it.
- The passages given to the candidates in this section are basically taken from university-level textbooks.
- 3 to 4 passages of around 700 words will be assigned to the test-takers.
- 35 minutes will be allotted to the candidates to complete all the questions in the section.
- Each TOEFL Reading Topic will consist of 10 questions.
TOEFL Listening Pattern
There will be 28 questions in the TOEFL Listening section. This section evaluates a candidate's ability to understand conversations and lectures in the English language. The listening section is divided into two different categories which are- Lectures and Conversations.
- There are 3-4 lectures, some of which have classroom discussions, and each lecture lasts 3-5 minutes including 6 questions each.
- There are 2-3 conversations, each lasting 3 minutes, and each conversation has 5 questions.
- Candidates will have 36 minutes to answer all the questions.
- Different accents of English language will also be available for the candidates.
- Specific terms or words taken from the audio clip will be written on screen.
TOEFL Speaking Pattern
4 questions will be provided in the TOEFL speaking section. The test takers will be asked to deliver a topic based on their knowledge at first and later will be asked to speak based on the reading and listening materials given to them.
- Total time allotted for this section of TOEFL 2023 is 16 minutes.
- For the initial two independent tasks, candidates get a duration of 45 seconds to express their opinions on familiar topics.
- The candidate is granted a total of 60 seconds to complete each audio clip and reading passage.
- This section evaluates the test taker's ability to effectively communicate their opinions with the right amount of valuable reasons.
TOEFL Writing Pattern
Evaluating a candidate's ability to communicate ideas and represent it in a well- organized manner is the main objective behind the TOEFL writing section.
- The Integrated writing task will be replaced by ''Write for an Academic Discussion".
- The task is to write a post for an online academic discussion.
- The discussion topic is about advertising in business class.
- The post should express and support your opinion on the topic.
- You have 10 minutes to write your post.
- The discussion will involve a question from the professor and responses from other students.
- The goal is to contribute to the discussion and engage with the ideas presented.
TOEFL Score
The TOEFL total score ranges from 0 to 120, and it is based on the combined scores of the four sections of the exam: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, and the scores are added together to determine the total score. The total TOEFL score is a measure of your overall English language proficiency, and it is widely used by universities, colleges, and other organizations to assess your ability to study, work, or communicate in English.
TOEFL iBT Score
| SECTION | IBT SCORE | LEVEL OF EXPERTISE |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 0-30 | A score of 22 to 30: High level A score of 15 to 21: Intermediate level A score of 0 to 14: Low level |
| Listening | 0-30 | A score of 22 to 30: High level A score of 15 to 21: Intermediate level A score of 0 to 14: Low level |
| Speaking | 0-30 | A score of 26 to 30: Good level A score of 18 to 25: Fair level A score of 10to 17: Limited level A score of 0 to 9: Weak level |
| Writing | 0-30 | A score of 24 to 30: Good level A score of 17 to 23: Fair level A score of 1 to 16: Limited level |
| Total | 0-120 | - |
TOEFL PBT Score
| TOEFL iBT Score | TOEFL PBT Score | Level of Expertise |
|---|---|---|
| 118-120 | ≥ 645 | Expert User |
| 115-117 | 626 - 644 | Very Good User |
| 110-114 | 610 - 625 | |
| 102-109 | 581 - 609 | Good User |
| 94-101 | 560 - 580 | |
| 79-93 | 546 - 559 | Competent User |
| 60-78 | 530 - 545 | |
| 42-59 | 516 - 529 | Modest User |
| 35-41 | 490 - 515 | |
| 32-34 | 450 - 489 | Limited User |
| 0-31 | 400 - 449 | Extremely Limited/Intermittent/Non-User |
Good TOEFL Score According to Some Top US Universities
Here are the list of universities and the TOEFL cut off is listed below:
| Top US Universities | TOEFL Cut off for US Universities |
|---|---|
| Harvard University | 100 – 105 |
| Columbia University | 100 |
| California Institute of Technology | 78 |
| UC Berkeley | 100 |
| Duke University | 90 |
| Brown University | 100 or above |
| University of California, Los Angeles | 87 |
| University of Michigan-Ann Arbor | 88 – 100; 23 minimum score in each section |
TOEFL Exam Dates
To take the TOEFL exam, test takers need to register in advance, based on the availability of exam dates. There are approximately 50 exam dates available for TOEFL candidates. Prior to the pandemic, exams were administered at registered test centers, but now, test-takers have the option to take online exams from home while being monitored. The following are the TOEFL exam dates for 2023-24:
| Month | TOEFL Test Dates 2023 - 24 |
|---|---|
| November 2023 | 11, 15, 18, 22. |
| December 2023 | 02, 03, 06, 08, 09, 16, 17, 20, 23. |
| January 2024 | 03, 06, 12, 13, 17, 20, 26, 27. |
| February 2024 | 03, 07, 16, 17, 21 24, 25. |
TOEFL Practice Papers
Obtaining a high TOEFL score is a crucial admission criterion for leading universities worldwide. To achieve a satisfactory score, it is imperative to practice various TOEFL sample papers. Without familiarity with the question formats and types, achieving a good score can be challenging. To grasp the exam's structure, candidates can take advantage of the online mock papers available.
TOEFL Writing Practice Test
TOEFL Reading Practice Test
TOEFL Listening Practice Test
TOEFL Speaking Practice Test
TOEFL Preparation Tips
Candidates needs authentic books and study prep materials for better understanding of the exam pattern. Here are a few TOEFL preparation tips listed below:
- Familiarize yourself with the exam format: It's crucial to understand the structure of the exam, types of questions, and timing of each section. This will help you to manage your time effectively during the exam.
- Take practice tests: Practice tests will give you an idea of the types of questions that will be asked and help you to develop a strategy for answering them. You can find free practice tests online or buy practice test books.
- Improve your English language skills: The TOEFL exam measures your English language skills, so it's important to improve your reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities. You can do this by reading books, listening to English podcasts, watching English movies, and practicing speaking with native English speakers.
- Use study materials: There are many study materials available, such as textbooks, workbooks, online courses, and study guides. These materials will provide you with additional practice and help you to improve your English language skills.
- Take advantage of free resources: There are many free resources available online, such as YouTube videos, websites, and forums that offer advice and practice tests. Take advantage of these resources to save money and improve your chances of success.
- Practice time management: Time management is a critical skill for success in the TOEFL exam. Make sure you practice answering questions within the allotted time for each section. This will help you to complete the exam on time and avoid running out of time.
- Stay calm and focused: The TOEFL exam can be stressful, but it's important to stay calm and focused during the exam. Try to relax, breathe deeply, and focus on the questions. Stay confident and believe in yourself.
TOEFL evaluates Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing skills. TOEFL Registration fee is INR 16,900, taken online at authorized test centers worldwide and takes around 2 hours to complete. The TOEFL iBT is a widely recognized assessment tool by universities, employers, and immigration authorities to evaluate an individual's English language abilities.
FAQs
Ques. Who should take the TOEFL exam?
Ans. The TOEFL exam is usually required for non-native English speakers who want to study or work in an English-speaking country. It is widely accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities in over 150 countries.
Ques. How is the TOEFL exam administered?
Ans. The TOEFL exam is administered online at authorized test centers worldwide. Test-takers need to create an account and register for a test date. They can also take the exam from home through the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, which is available in most countries.
Ques. What is the TOEFL exam pattern?
Ans. The TOEFL exam pattern includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The test takes around three hours to complete and evaluates different language skills, including multiple-choice questions, short-answer questions, and essay writing.
Ques. How long is the TOEFL exam valid?
Ans. The TOEFL exam is valid for two years from the date of the test. After that, test-takers need to take the exam again if they want to use their scores for admission or employment purposes.
Ques. How much does the TOEFL exam cost?
Ans. The cost of the TOEFL exam varies depending on location, test type, and other factors. In India, the registration fee for the TOEFL iBT is set at US $195. Test-takers may also need to pay additional fees for late registration, rescheduling, or score reports.
Ques. What is the minimum score required for the TOEFL exam?
Ans. The minimum TOEFL score required varies depending on the institution or employer. Different universities and organizations may have different score requirements for admission or employment purposes. Test-takers should check the score requirements of their target institutions or employers before taking the exam.
Ques. How can I prepare for the TOEFL exam?
Ans. There are several ways to prepare for the TOEFL exam, including taking practice tests, attending preparation courses, and using study materials like books or online resources. Test-takers should also practice their English language skills regularly, including reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Ques. How can I register for the TOEFL exam?
Ans. Test-takers can register for the TOEFL exam online through the ETS website. They need to create an account, choose a test date and location, and pay the registration fee. They can also reschedule or cancel their test appointment up to four days before the test.
Ques. What is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition?
Ans. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is an online version of the TOEFL exam that allows test-takers to take the test from their own homes. The test is proctored remotely and requires a stable internet connection and a computer with a camera and microphone. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is available in most countries worldwide, but not in all locations.
Ques. Can I retake the TOEFL iBT?
Ans. Yes, you can retake the TOEFL iBT as many times as you want, but you have to wait for a minimum of three days before retaking the test. However, it is recommended to prepare thoroughly before retaking the test to ensure that you achieve the desired score.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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