Exam Structure
The TOEFL test format includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing. It’s imperative for an aspirant to have a clear understanding of all the sections and the exam structure in order to prepare
effectively for the test.
Reading Section :
Number of Questions : 30-40 questions
Duration : 54-72 minutes
Description : This section includes 3-4 reading passages, each approximately 700 words long, followed by 10 questions per passage. The passages are excerpts from university-level textbooks that would be used in introductions to a discipline or topic. The questions test the ability to understand and analyze the content, understand vocabulary in context, infer information, and identify the purpose and main ideas of the text.
Listening Section:
Number of Questions : 28-39 questions
Duration : 41-57 minutes
Description : This section features 4-6 lectures (3-5 minutes long, each followed by 6 questions) and 2-3 conversations (about 3 minutes long, each followed by 5 questions). The lectures are similar to what you might hear in a classroom setting, while the conversations are typical of what you might hear in university life. The questions test the ability to understand main ideas, details, inferences, speaker purpose, and speaker attitude.
Speaking Section:
Number of Tasks : 4 tasks
Duration : 17 minutes
Description : The speaking section includes:
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Task 1 (Independent Speaking Task): Requires expressing an opinion on a familiar topic. The test-taker has 15 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak.
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Task 2 (Integrated Speaking Task - Reading/Listening/Speaking): Involves reading a passage, listening to a related audio clip, and then speaking in response. The test-taker has 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
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Task 3 (Integrated Speaking Task - Listening/Speaking): Involves listening to a conversation or lecture and then speaking in response. The test-taker has 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
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Task 4 (Integrated Speaking Task - Listening/Speaking): Involves listening to a lecture and then speaking in response. The test-taker has 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.
Writing Section
Number of Tasks : 2 tasks
Duration : 50 minutes
Description : The writing section includes:
1 Integrated Task (20 minutes): Read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write a response based on what you have read and heard.
1 Independent Task (30 minutes): Write an essay on a given topic, expressing and supporting your opinion.
SCORING METHOD
Scoring Range: Each section is scored from 0 to 30.
Total Score: Sum of the four section scores (0 to 120).
Validity: TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date.