What is TOEFL?

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. TOEFL tests knowledge of reading, listening, speaking, and writing in English. The test itself focuses on academic language, such as that encountered in school settings. TOEFL is widely accepted as proof of English ability in universities throughout the world.

Test Overview

TOEFL has four components, which are, in the order taken on the test, reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

• In the reading section, test takers are tasked with reading several short passages, emails, or notifications, and answering questions on what was read. There is also a part in which the test taker will complete vocabulary words by typing the appropriate letters in the blanks.
• The listening section involves listening to a recording of a native speaker or speakers and answering questions based on what was said. The majority of the speakers speak with an American neutral accent, although speakers with other accents may appear.
• The writing section requires the test taker to rearrange words and phrases to form sentences, write an email, and participate in a simulated online discussion.
• Finally, the speaking section requires test takers to repeat sentences they hear and participate in a simulated interview.

Types of TOEFL test

There are two types of TOEFL test. The primary type is the Internet-Based Test (iBT), and is entirely done on a computer. The second is the Paper-Based Test, which only available in locations where the iBT, the primary type, is not available.

Scoring

The TOEFL iBT is graded using bands on a scale from a minimum score of band 1 to a maximum score of band 6, in half-band increments. This scoring system was created to align with the six bands of CEFR. The older scoring system, which is a simple 0 to 120 point scale, has been discontinued, although these scores will continue to be provided for reference alongside the new score system until January 2028, after which only the new band scores will remain. Scores are valid for a period of two years, after which they will expire.

As of August 2019, multiple tests’ sections’ scores can be combined. This is officially known as MyBest, but is informally referred to as superscoring. Using this feature allows the test taker to take their highest scores from multiple tests and combine them together. It is important to consider that not all universities accept this feature, however. Please take care to verify if the university that you are applying to accepts MyBest scores.