Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is designed to test candidates English language competency and is accepted by more than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries. It is widely accepted in the USA and Canada and its acceptance is increasing in Australia, New Zealand, the UK and across Europe. More than 35 million people have opted for TOEFL as their English entrance exam.
TEST MODES
TOEFL is conducted in Online (TOEFL iBT) and Paper format. TOEFL iBT is offered in dedicated test centres. However you can now take the test at home at your convenience as long as you have the computer/equipment and a private room that meet the testing requirements. The home test is supervised real-time by a human proctor.You can take the tests any time from Sunday to Wednesday, 24 hours a day. Home Edition test results are accepted by universities, if in doubt it is preferable to confirm with the institution. Paper based tests are conducted four times a year in locations where internet testing is not available. It’s closely aligned with the TOEFL iBT test, but doesn’t include a Speaking section.
TEST DESIGN
This exam has sections that includes Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The total duration of the test is 3 hours, however it is advisable to allow for 3 and half hours to check in.
| Section | Description | Duration |
| Listening | This section includes 28-39 questions, which are classified as follow: 3 to 4 lectures: each lecture is usually 3–5 minutes long, with 6 questions per lecture. 2 to 3 conversations: these conversations have 2 speakers, each 3 minutes long, with 5 questions per conversation. | 41–57 minutes |
| Reading | The Reading section consists of passages (3 to 4 passages about 700 words long each) and 10 questions based on the each passage. | 54–72 minutes |
| Writing | There are two tasks in this section. Task 1: Integrated writing (20 minutes). This involves reading a passage and listening to a short lecture, and then drafting responses based on what you read and heard. Task 2: Independent writing (30 minutes). This involves writing an essay. | 50 minutes |
| Speaking | This section consists of 4 parts. You have about 15-30 seconds to prepare your answers before you speak. Question 1: Independent Speaking. This is based on personal experiences. Question 2: Integrated Speaking. This is a test of how you combine your English skills (reading, listening and speaking). | 17 minutes |
TEST SCORES AND VALIDITY
Each of the above sections has a score range of 0-30 and overall score range of 0-120. The unofficial scores for Reading and Listening sections are displayed on the screen immediately at the end of the exam. Official test scores are released within 6-10 days of taking the exam. These scores are valid and acceptable for 2 years.