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TOEFL Exam Pattern 2024 - Explore Section-wise IELTS Exam Format, Marking Scheme & Duration

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By: Canamprep

Updated On: Dec 30,2023 , 11:45 AM IST

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
  • 2 reading passages
  • 700 words long passages
  • 10 questions per passage
  • 3-4 reading passages
  • 700 words long passages
  • 10 questions per passage
Skills Assessed
  • Understanding of texts in post-secondary education
  • Summarizing and drawing inferences from the text
  • Understanding of texts in post-secondary education
  • Summarizing and drawing inferences from the text
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
  • 3 Lectures including classroom discussions (3-5 minutes, 6 Questions each)
  • 2 Conversations, (3 minutes, 5 questions each)
  • 3 Lectures including classroom discussions (3-5 minutes, 6 Questions each)
  • 2 Conversations, (3 minutes, 5 questions each
Skills Assessed
  • Basic Comprehension
  • Understanding of Attitutde and degree of certainty
  • Connecting Information
  • Basic Comprehension
  • Understanding of Attitutde and degree of certainty
  • Connecting Information
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
  • 4 Tasks
  • 1 Independent Speaking Task
  • 3 Integreted Tasks (Listening, Reading, Speaking)
  • 4 Tasks
  • 1 Independent Speaking Task
  • 3 Integreted Tasks (Listening, Reading, Speaking)
Skills Assessed
  • Ability to speak in Academic Settings
  • Articulate Ideas Clearly and Effectively
  • Basic Comprehension
  • Understanding of Attitude and Degree of Certainty
  • Connection in Information
Duration  16 Minutes 17 Minutes (Conducted online at home)
Question Types
  • Speaking about opinions and preferences
  • Speaking about Topics from Lectures and Texts
  • Speaking about opinions and preferences
  • Speaking about Topics from Lectures and Texts
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
  • Integrated Writing Task
  • Writing for an Academic Discussion
  • Integrated writing task
  • Independent writing task about a personal experience or opinion
Skills Assessed
  • Ability to Write in Academic Settings
  • Articulate Ideas in an Organized way and Clearly
  • Ability to Write in Academic Settings
  • Articulate Ideas in an Organized way and Clearly
Duration 29 Minutes 50 Minutes
Question Types
  • Comparing and Analysing Information from Text and Audio
  • Sharing Opinion in an Online Classroom Discussion
  • Comparing and analysing information from text and audio
  • Essay writing on an issue or expressing an opinion 
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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