TOEFL Exam Pattern

TOEFL EXAM PATTERN

Candidates should be aware that the TOEFL test is held in two formats, viz. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) and TOEFL Paper-delivered test. The TOEFL iBT is a more preferred mode of the exam and represents more than 98% of the TOEFL represents more than 98% of the TOEFL tests given worldwide, while the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test is only available in locations that do not support the use of the Internet. There is no Speaking section because of the technological requirements of capturing spoken responses.

The examination has 4 sections i.e. Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening.

Reading Section

Here, students are expected to answer questions on 3-4 passages on academic topics which are approximately around 700 words long. There are a total of 10 questions on each passage.

Listening Section

The listening section requires the student to answer questions on the basis of listening to conversations and mini-lectures. There are around 2-3 conversations (around 2.5-3 minutes each) post which one needs to answer 5 questions, and around 5-7 lectures ( of around 4.5-5.5 minutes each) based on which the student needs to answer 6 questions per lecture.

Speaking Section

This section has four different tasks as follows:

Task 1: Independent task — Verbally expressing an opinion on questions on familiar topics

Task 2,3, 4 – Integrated tasks (In task 2 and 4, students are given a short passage/academic lecture/conversation on campus life to read up on, post which they answer questions orally. For Task 3, they have to listen to an academic lecture and answer a question on the basis of that orally)

Writing Section

This section has two tasks:

1 Independent task – Here, the student is required to write an essay that states their opinion on a topic or a choice they would make in a particular situation and justification for the same.

2 Integrated task – Here, students are required to read a passage on an academic topic and listen to a speaker who discusses the topic. Then the test-taker has to write a summary of key points that he heard and their relation to the key points in the passage that he had to read.