TOEFL Exam Pattern 2024 - Explore Section-wise IELTS Exam Format, Marking Scheme & Duration
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TOEFL Exam Pattern
TOEFL exam pattern consists the number of questions, time duration and key tasks that are associated with each section of the TOEFL examination. Therefore, understanding this exam pattern (Structure) is necessary if you want to prepare & excel in this vital exam. Given below is the highlight of exam pattern associated with the TOEFL test that can help you prepare for the test.
Examination Mode | Internet-Based and Paper-Delivered Test |
Number of Sections | 4 |
TOEFL Exam Duration | Approx. 3 hours (Internet-based test) Approx. 2 hours (Paper-delivered test) |
Skills Measured/Test Sections | Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing |
TOEFL iBT Test
Section | Number of Questions | Duration | Task |
Reading | 2 Passages 20 Questions |
35 Minutes | Reading passages and responding to questions. |
Listening | 3 Lectures, 2 Conversations 28 questions |
36 Minutes | Answering questions based on lectures and classroom discussions. |
Speaking | 4 Tasks | 16 Minutes | Talking about a familiar topic and responding to questions based on audio and texts. |
Writing | 2 Tasks | 29 Minutes | Responding to questions based on audio and texts and giving and supporting an opinion. |
TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
Sections | Number of Questions | Duration | Tasks |
Reading |
3 or 4 Passages 30-40 Questions |
54-72 Minutes | Reading Passages and Answering Questions. |
Listening |
3-4 Lectures, 2-3 Conversations 28-39 Questions |
41-57 Minutes | Answering Questions about lectures and Classroom Discussions. |
Break | ---- | 10 Minutes | --- |
Writing | 2 Tasks | 50 Minutes | Writing Responses to Reading & Writing |
Speaking (Taken at home) | 4 Tasks | 17 Minutes | Talking about familiar topics and discussing audio and texts in tasks |
Section-wise exam pattern, including the test composition, question matter, duration, question types and score scale are given below.
TOEFL Reading Section Pattern
|
TOEFL iBT |
TOEFL iBT Paper Edition |
Composition |
|
|
Skills Assessed |
|
|
Duration |
35 Minutes |
54-72 Minutes |
Question Types |
Multiple-type questions with one and more than one correct answer as per the question. |
Multiple-type questions with one and more than one correct answer as per the question. |
Score Scale (raw scores converted to scores on the scale) |
0-30 |
0-30 |
TOEFL Listening Section Pattern
TOEFL iBT | TOEFL iBT Paper Edition | |
Composition |
|
|
Skills Assessed |
|
|
Duration | 36 Minutes | 41-57 Minutes |
Question Types | Multiple Type Questions with one and more than one correct answer as per the question | Multiple Type Questions with one and more than one correct answer as per the question |
Score Scale (Raw scores converted to scores on the scale) | 0-30 | 0-30 |
TOEFL Speaking Section Pattern
TOEFL iBT | TOEFL iBT Paper Edition | |
Composition |
|
|
Skills Assessed |
|
|
Duration | 16 Minutes | 17 Minutes (Conducted online at home) |
Question Types |
|
|
Score Scale (Raw scores converted to scores on the scale) | 0-30 | 0-30 |
TOEFL Writing Section Pattern:
TOEFL iBT | TOEFL iBT Paper Edition | |
Composition |
|
|
Skills Assessed |
|
|
Duration | 29 Minutes | 50 Minutes |
Question Types |
|
|
Score Scale (Raw scores converted to scores) | 0-30 | 0-30 |
ETS has shortened the exam pattern for TOEFL to less than 2 hours. The conducting body has also planned several improvements in the overall TOEFL test experience. The new pattern has gone live from July 26, 2023. The improvements are expected to provide a seamless experience to the candidates.
Refer to the table below for a comparison between the previous TOEFL exam pattern and the one that has come into effect from July 26, 2023.
SECTIONS | PREVIOUS PATTERN | NEW PATTERN (w.e.f July 26) |
TOEFL Reading section | Duration: 54 – 72 minutes Questions: 30-40 |
Duration: 35 minutes Questions: 20 |
TOEFL Writing section | Duration: 50 minutes Questions: 2 tasks |
Duration: 29 minutes Questions: 2 tasks |
TOEFL Listening section | Duration: 41-57 minutes Questions: 28 – 39 |
Duration: 36 minutes Questions 28 |
TOEFL Speaking section | Duration: 17 minutes Questions: 4 tasks |
Duration: 16 minutes Questions: 4 tasks |
Total duration: 162-196 minutes | Total duration: 116 minutes |
To ensure a more efficient assessment of aspirants' English language ability, the TOEFL exam design and material are carefully prepared and adapted. Therefore, candidates must familiarize themselves with the examination pattern and the whole syllabus ahead of time.
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