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Content Writer - Study Abroad | Updated On - Jun 24, 2024
TOEFL Exam Pattern for 2024 consists of four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. TOEFL examination pattern examines a candidate's English language skills for university admission. ETS has also reintroduced TOEFL Paper pattern in India to give more students access to the test. There are three types of iBT TOEFL exam patterns; on a computer at a test center, home edition, and on the paper edition. Indian candidates wishing to take the TOEFL test must pay a registration fee of INR USD 205 (INR 17,043).
TOEFL test duration takes about 2 hours to complete, however, students should plan for 2.5 hours, and 30 minutes for checking. TOEFL exam syllabus includes 4 different sections, and the score is divided equally among every section. Each section of TOEFL score ranges on a scale of 0-30 level, and the total score is scaled from 0-120 level.
The new TOEFL exam pattern contains 48 questions and 6 tasks in total. The reading and listening section contains 20 and 28 questions each. The speaking and writing sections include 4 tasks and 2 tasks respectively. Candidates’ speaking and writing sections are scored by using a combination of AI scoring and ETS-certified raters. Candidates need regular practice and a proper study plan to understand TOEFL new pattern.
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TOEFL Exam Pattern Overview
TOEFL exam pattern is administered by ETS. Candidates are required to understand and practice the new exam pattern to achieve a good TOEFL score. TOEFL revised test pattern to be followed after July 26, 2023 onwards has been tabulated below:
| Section | No of questions | Duration | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 20 questions | 35 minutes | 2 passages of 700 words will be given which candidates have to read and answer the questions based on the passages accordingly. |
| Listening | 28 questions | 36 minutes minutes | Candidates have to listen to 3 lectures conversation of classroom discussion (3-5 minutes) and answer total 6 questions based on them. Candidates have to listen 2 conversations (each of 3 minutes), and answer a total of 5 questions based on two conversations. |
| Speaking | 4 tasks | 16 minutes | The section includes Integrated and Independent speaking tasks. In independent speaking task, candidates will be asked to speak for a random topic based on their knowledge. In integrated speaking task, candidates have to present speech with good proficiency in English language in istening and speaking, or listening, reading and speaking. Students will get 15-30 seconds for preparation and response will be of 45 or 60 seconds long. |
| Writing | 2 tasks | 29 minutes | The section includes an integrated writing task and writing for an academic discussion task. In integrated writing section, students are required to read a short passage and listen a short lecture of 20 minutes and write what he/she has read or listened to. In academic discussion task, students are required to state and support an opinion regarding the alloted topic within 10 minutes. |
TOEFL Reading Pattern
The candidates will get 20 questions based on two passages in the TOEFL pattern for Reading section. This section will evaluate the candidate's capabilities to understand English along with their ability to provide an effective response to it.
- The passages given to the candidates in this section are basically taken from university-level textbooks.
- 3 to 4 passages of around 700 words will be assigned to the test-takers.
- 35 minutes will be allotted to the candidates to complete all the questions in the section.
- Each passage will consist of 10 questions and TOEFL Reading Topics are taken from diverse fields.
TOEFL Reading Question Types
Here are the TOEFL iBT pattern for reading question types:
- Reading Factual Information: Factual Information questions may ask a candidate to recognise facts that include major ideas, supporting details or definitions. The opposite of factual information which is negative on the other hand are similar but 3 of the 4 answers are correct instead of only 1 and the candidates in this section are asked to decide the incorrect one.
- Inference and Rhetorical: Inference questions are easy to recognise as they usually include the words "infer," "imply" or "suggest," in it. Rhetorical questions are also similar as it includes questions that aren't explicitly stated which makes it unclear why an author has presented such information.
- Reading Vocabulary: This question type is unique in that one needs to find meanings of some highlighted words from the passages and choose the correct answer out of four given options.
- Sentence Simplification: Here the candidates are asked to identify a sentence that has the same meaning as a sentence from the passage they were assigned to read.
- Insert Text Question: the "Inserting a Sentence" question, you will be given a new sentence to insert in the passage at one of four possible places. This question is worth one raw point.
SAMPLE
TOEFL Reading Scoring Pattern
TOEFL reading score ranges on a scale of 0-30. TOEFL reading scoring pattern is mentioned below.
- Candidates will get points for each question answered correctly.
- The points will be converted to a score out of 30.
- A score above 22 will usually be considered a good score.
TOEFL Listening Pattern
There will be 28 to 39 questions in the Listening section of the TOEFL Exam pattern. This section evaluates a candidate's ability to understand conversations and lectures in the English language. The listening section is divided into two different categories which are- Lectures and Conversations.
- There are 3-4 lectures, some of which have classroom discussions, and each lecture lasts 3-5 minutes including 6 questions each.
- There are 2-3 conversations, each lasting 3 minutes, and each conversation has 5 questions.
- Candidates will have 41 to 57 minutes to answer all the questions.
- Different accents of English language will also be available for the candidates.
- Specific terms or words taken from the audio clip will be written on screen.
TOEFL Listening Question Types
TOEFL pattern for listening question types follow the below:
- Gist-Content and Gist-Purpose: Gist-purpose questions ask the test taker to explain the main motive of a discussion or lecture. These types of questions are identifiable by their use of phrases such as "mainly about," "mainly discussing," "why does the student," or "what is the main purpose," which differentiate them from gist-content questions.
- Detail: Detail questions aim to identify an important conceptual detail explicitly mentioned in the listening conversation or lecture.
- Function: Function questions require you to determine the specific meaning of a statement within a given context, as the meaning may vary based on the situation.
- Attitude: Attitude questions require you to comprehend the speaker's emotions or attitude towards a topic.
- Organization: Organization questions test your understanding of how a lecture is structured and may contain phrases like "Why does the professor mention..." or "Why does the professor discuss..."?
- Connecting content: Connecting content questions evaluate your ability to comprehend the relationships among ideas presented in the lecture, which may require you to fill in a chart or table.
- Inference: Inference questions challenge you to deduce the meaning of something that is not explicitly stated in the conversation or lecture.
SAMPLE
TOEFL Listening Scoring Pattern
TOEFL listening score ranges on a scale of 0-30. TOEFL listening scoring pattern is mentioned below.
- For the Listening section, raw points are added up and then converted to a score out of 30.
- A score above 21, is generally considered a good score in this section.
TOEFL Speaking Pattern
4 questions will be provided in the speaking section of the TOEFL exam. The test takers will be asked to deliver a topic based on their knowledge at first and later will be asked to speak based on the reading and listening materials given to them.
- Total time allotted for this section of TOEFL is 16 minutes.
- For the initial two independent tasks, candidates get a duration of 45 or 60 seconds to express opinions on familiar topics.
- The candidate is granted a total of 60 seconds to complete each audio clip and reading passage.
- This section evaluates the test taker's ability to effectively communicate their opinions with the right amount of valuable reasons.
TOEFL Speaking Question Types
TOEFL listening score ranges on a scale of 0-30. TOEFL listening scoring pattern is mentioned below.
- Independent Speaking Tasks: These tasks focus on familiar topics. For task 1, you must choose one of many options, and for task 2, you must choose one of two options. You will have 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak.
- Integrated Speaking Tasks: These tasks require you to use your reading, listening, and speaking skills. For tasks 3 and 5, you must listen to an audio clip and answer a question. For tasks 4 and 6, you must read a passage and listen to an audio clip before answering a question. You will have time to prepare and then speak for 60 seconds.
SAMPLE
TOEFL Speaking Scoring Pattern
TOEFL speaking score ranges on a scale of 0-30. TOEFL speaking scoring pattern is mentioned below.
- Speaking section is scored on a different scale where each task is given a score out of 4.
- These scores are then added up and converted to a score out of 30.
- A good Speaking score is typically above 22.
TOEFL Writing Pattern
Evaluating a candidate's ability to communicate ideas and represent it in a well- organized manner is the main objective behind the writing section of the TOEFL Exam.
- Two essays will be assigned to the candidates.
- Candidates will have 50 minutes to complete the essays.
- The Integrated writing task will provide test-takers with a 3-minute duration to read an academic text that is approximately 300 words long.
- Following the reading passage, test-takers will listen to a 2-minute audio clip of the lecture.
- Task 2 is an Independent writing task that does not involve any reading passage or audio clip.
- In this section, test takers must express their personal opinion on a particular issue.
- Test-takers will have 30 minutes to complete Task 2, and they must limit their response to 300 words.
TOEFL Writing Question Types
The Writing section has two types of essays: Integrated and Independent.
- Integrated Writing Task: You will read a passage and listen to an audio clip before writing an essay that explains how they relate to each other. You will have 20 minutes to write and should aim for a length of 150-225 words.
- Independent Writing Task: You will receive a prompt about a familiar topic and must write an essay expressing your opinion. You will have 30 minutes to write and should aim for a length of at least 300 words.
SAMPLE
TOEFL Writing Scoring Pattern
TOEFL writing score ranges on a scale of 0-30. TOEFL writing scoring pattern is mentioned below.
- Each essay is scored out of 5 in the writing section.
- The scores for both essays are then combined and converted to a score out of 30.
- A score above 22, is usually considered a good score.
TOEFL Exam Marks Pattern
All the sections are ranged between 0 to 30 marks and are combined in the end for a total score of 120. ETS informs the candidates when the TOEFL exam pattern and marks are available on the site. The candidates need to understand how the score of each section is calculated in order to understand the TOEFL Exam score. Candidates also get a printed TOEFL score reports after 11 days of test.
| Section | Score Range | Mean Scores* |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 0-30 | 20 |
| Writing | 0-30 | 19 |
| Speaking | 0-30 | 19 |
| Listening | 0-30 | 20 |
| Total- | 0- 120 | 78 |
TOEFL Proficiency Levels
Candidates TOEFL scores are described their proficiency level in the English language. Achieving an average TOEFL score of 24+ in the exam is considered an advanced level of proficiency. Here is the descriptions of TOEFL exam scores in the given table:
| Sections | Levels |
|---|---|
| Reading | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (18–23) Low-Intermediate (4–17) Below Low-Intermediate (0–3) |
| Listening | Advanced (22–30) High-Intermediate (17–21) Low-Intermediate (9–16) Below Low-Intermediate (0–8) |
| Speaking | Advanced (25–30) High-Intermediate (20–24) Low-Intermediate (16–19) Basic (10–15) Below Basic (0–9) |
| Writing | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (17–23) Low-Intermediate (13–16) Basic (7–12) Below Basic (0–6) |
TOEFL Preparation Tips
To achieve a good score in TOEFL, you need to do effective preparation. TOEFL preparation tips helps aspirants to understand the exam format. Here are some TOEFL exam tips for candidates to prepare for TOEFL:
- Familiarize with the TOEFL format: This includes knowing the different sections of the test, the types of questions that are asked, and the scoring system.
- Research TOEFL Score Requirements: Different schools and programs have different TOEFL score requirements. Make sure to know what score candidates need to achieve their goals.
- Learn Academic English: The TOEFL tests candidate’s ability to understand and use academic English. This means learning vocabulary and grammar that is commonly used in college-level textbooks and lectures.
- Use Practice Tests: There are many TOEFL practice tests available online and in books. Taking practice tests will help you get familiar with the format of the test, the types of questions that are asked, and your own strengths and weaknesses.
- Find a Mentor: If you know someone who has taken the TOEFL and scored well, ask them for advice. They can share their tips and strategies with you, and they can also be a source of motivation.
- Manage Time Wisely: The TOEFL is a timed test, so it's important to manage your time effectively. This means knowing how much time you have for each section and pacing yourself accordingly.
- Guess the Answers: If you don't know the answer to a question, don't leave it blank. Instead, guess and take a calculated risk. You may be surprised at how often you get a question right by guessing.
- Read all of the Answer Choices Before Choosing One: Don't just pick the first answer that looks good to you. Read all of the answer choices carefully and make sure you understand why the one you choose is the best answer.
- Pay Attention to Grammar and Usage: The TOEFL tests your grammar and usage skills. Make sure you proofread your answers carefully before submitting them.
- Practice Regularly: The more you practice, the better you will do on the TOEFL. Set aside some time each day to study and practice.
- Get Proper Sleep before the Test: Candidates want to be well-rested and alert on test day.
- Eat a healthy Breakfast on Test Day: Don't skip breakfast on test day. Eat a healthy breakfast that will give energy and focus.
- Arrive Early for the Test: This will give candidate time to relax and get settled before the test begins.
- Stay Calm and Positive: The TOEFL can be a challenging test, but it's important to stay calm and positive. If candidates find themself getting stressed, take a few deep breaths and remind yourself that you are prepared.
TOEFL Preparation Books
TOEFL preparation books focus on topics that need more attention and help you to build your weakness into strengths. TOEFL preparation books are a helpful option during self-preparation.
- TOEFL Official Guide PDF: Check Book PDF
- Cambridge Preparation for TOEFL: Check Book PDF
- Barron’s Essential Words for the TOEFL, 7th Edition: Check Book PDF
- Barron’s TOEFL iBT, 17th Edition: Check Book PDF
- Kaplan TOEFL iBT Premier: Check Book PDF
TOEFL exam pattern includes all 4 sections. The TOEFL exam pattern examines test takers' reading, listening, writing, and speaking skills for university admission. Understanding TOEFL exam pattern and syllabus helps candidates to ace the TOEFL scores.
FAQs
Ques: How is the TOEFL test structure?
Ans: The new TOEFL exam structure contains 48 questions and 6 tasks in total. The reading and listening section contains 20 and 28 questions each.
Ques: What are the 4 sections of the TOEFL test?
Ans: Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are the 4 sections of TOEFL. TOEFL test duration takes about 2 hours to complete, however, students should plan for 2.5 hours, and 30 minutes for checking.
Ques: Are there 2 types of TOEFL?
Ans: The 2 types of TOEFL are computer-based exams at a test center, or home, and the paper-based test.
Ques: What is the passing score for TOEFL?
Ans: There are no specific passing or failing scores in TOEFL. Achieving a score above 100+ in TOEFL helps candidates get admission to some of the best universities worldwide.
Ques: What are the contents of TOEFL exam?
Ans: TOEFL exam contents include 4 sections; reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Candidates need a good grasp of the English language to achieve a good TOEFL score.
Ques: What is good TOEFL score?
Ans: Achieving a TOEFL score between 100-110 is considered a good score. 110+ TOEFL score can help you to easily get admission to some of the best universities worldwide.
Ques: How can I pass TOEFL easily?
Ans:You can pass TOEFL easily by knowing the exam format, properly following a study plan, and taking practice tests regularly.
Ques: Can I prepare for TOEFL at home?
Ans: You can do effective TOEFL preparation at home by taking online coaching classes, regularly solving mock tests, and reading updated study materials.
Ques: Does TOEFL expire?
Ans: TOEFL score is valid for 2 years from your result date. If you receive your results on 15th October 2023, your results will be valid until 14th October 2025.
Ques: How much is TOEFL exam fee in India?
Ans: The fee for TOEFL exam registration iBT and home edition is USD 205 (INR 17,043). You can pay the registration fees through Credit/debit card, or electronic check (e-check).
Ques: What is the pattern of the TOEFL 2024?
Ans: The current TOEFL exam pattern is as follows: 4 Sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), Score Scale: 0-120, with each section scored on a scale of 0-30. The Test Duration: 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Ques: How long is the new Toefl test?
Ans: The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has been reduced to less than two hours from its current three-hour duration.
Ques: Can I take the TOEFL exam online?
Ans: Yes, the TOEFL exam can be taken online through the TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) format.
Ques: How is the TOEFL exam scored?
Ans: The TOEFL exam is scored on a scale of 0-120, with each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) scored on a scale of 0-30.
Ques: What sections are included in the TOEFL exam?
Ans: The four sections included in the TOEFL exam are Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Ques: What is the Reading section of the TOEFL exam?
Ans: The Reading section of the TOEFL exam consists of passages from academic texts, with questions that test comprehension, vocabulary, and inference skills.
Ques: Can I retake the TOEFL exam to improve my score?
Ans: Yes, you can retake the TOEFL exam to improve your score. However, there are certain limitations on how frequently you can take the exam.
Ques: What is a good score in the Reading Section of TOEFL 2024?
Ans: A good score in the Reading section of the TOEFL exam would depend on the requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to. Generally, a score of 22-30 is considered good in the Reading section. However, it is important to check the specific requirements of the institution you are interested in.
Ques. How to send TOEFL scores to universities abroad?
Ans: When paying TOEFL test fee, candidates can include four free TOEFL score reports which ETS - the conducting body of the TOEFL exam would send to your pre-selected universities. Candidates wanting to send scorecards to additional universities can do so with an additional fee.
Ques. How to choose between TOEFL and IELTS exams?
Ans: Candidates should note that both the tests share a common objective, to test the candidate on their understanding of the English language. Hence, the core of both exams is identical. They are different when it comes to the exam pattern and syllabus.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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