Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) (TOEFL iBT)

What this exam is

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) is a standardised English language proficiency test administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS). It is the most widely accepted English proficiency test for university admissions in the United States and is recognised by over 12,000 institutions in more than 160 countries worldwide.

• Conducted by: Educational Testing Service (ETS)
• Eligibility: No formal restrictions — open to anyone seeking English proficiency certification
• Mode: Internet-based test (iBT) at test centres or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (online proctored)
• Frequency: On-demand — multiple test dates available throughout the year

The TOEFL iBT tests four language skills — Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing — in an academic context. Unlike general English proficiency tests, TOEFL is designed specifically to measure the English language abilities needed for success in university-level academic environments. The test uses American English conventions, and all content is drawn from university-level academic settings.

In July 2023, ETS introduced a significantly shortened version of the TOEFL iBT. The test now takes under 2 hours to complete (previously approximately 3.5 hours), while maintaining the same scoring scale of 0–120. The shorter format eliminated the experimental/research sections and streamlined existing sections.

Dates, pattern, and cutoffs shown are based on the 2025–26 cycle and may change. Check the TOEFL official website for the latest notification.

TOEFL iBT is particularly dominant in the US for university admissions. While IELTS has gained significant ground and is now accepted by nearly all US institutions, TOEFL remains the standard reference point for American universities. Outside the US, both TOEFL and IELTS are widely accepted, though IELTS tends to be more commonly used in the UK, Australia, and Europe.

Who should take this exam

Students applying to US universities. TOEFL is the traditional English proficiency standard for US university admissions. Virtually all US universities accept TOEFL, and many programme-specific score requirements are published using the TOEFL scale. Students applying to institutions such as MIT, Stanford University, Harvard University, Carnegie Mellon University, and New York University will find TOEFL expectations clearly documented.

Students applying to Canadian universities. Canadian institutions including the University of Toronto, McGill University, University of British Columbia, and the University of Waterloo accept TOEFL alongside IELTS.

Students applying to universities in the UK, Australia, and Europe. While IELTS is more common in these regions, TOEFL is accepted by the vast majority of institutions including Cambridge University, Oxford University, University of Edinburgh, University of Melbourne, and Erasmus University Rotterdam.

Students who prefer a computer-based, integrated testing format. Unlike IELTS, where the Speaking section is a face-to-face interview, TOEFL Speaking is recorded on a computer. Some students prefer this format as it eliminates the variability of different human examiners. TOEFL also integrates skills — some Speaking and Writing tasks require reading a passage and/or listening to a lecture before responding, which tests the ability to synthesise information from multiple sources.

Students comfortable with American English. TOEFL uses American English spelling and conventions. The listening passages feature predominantly American accents (though other English accents occasionally appear). Students who have been exposed to American English through media, coursework, or previous study may find TOEFL more natural than IELTS.

Students deciding between TOEFL and IELTS should consider the following:

Factor	TOEFL iBT	IELTS Academic
English variant	American English	British English
Speaking format	Recorded responses on computer	Face-to-face interview with human examiner
Duration	Under 2 hours	~2 hours 45 minutes
Delivery	Computer only	Paper or computer
Score scale	0–120 (total)	0–9 (band)
Score validity	2 years	2 years
Score release	4–8 days	3–13 days
Primary regions	US, Canada	UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand

Exam pattern and structure

The TOEFL iBT consists of four sections completed in a single sitting of under 2 hours. There is no break between sections.

Section	Duration	Questions/Tasks	Score Range
Reading	35 minutes	2 passages, 20 questions	0–30
Listening	36 minutes	3 lectures + 2 conversations, 28 questions	0–30
Speaking	16 minutes	4 tasks (1 independent, 3 integrated)	0–30
Writing	29 minutes	2 tasks (1 integrated, 1 academic discussion)	0–30
Total	~116 minutes	—	0–120

Reading

The Reading section presents two academic passages of approximately 700 words each, each followed by 10 questions.

Feature	Detail
Passages	2 (from university-level textbooks)
Questions per passage	10
Total questions	20
Time	35 minutes
Topics	Natural science, social science, arts, business
Question types	Factual information, inference, vocabulary in context, rhetorical purpose, prose summary, fill in a table, sentence insertion, negative factual information

Passages are academic in nature and assume no specialist knowledge — all information needed to answer is contained in the passage.

Listening

The Listening section presents academic lectures and conversations.

Content Type	Number	Questions Each	Description
Lectures	3	6 questions each	Academic lectures (3–5 minutes), with or without student interaction
Conversations	2	5 questions each	University setting (office hours, campus services)
Total	5 recordings	28 questions	36 minutes

Recordings are played once. Note-taking is permitted and encouraged. Questions test understanding of main ideas, supporting details, speaker attitudes, and the organisation of information.

Speaking

The Speaking section includes four tasks recorded on a microphone.

Task	Type	Preparation	Response Time	Description
Task 1	Independent	15 seconds	45 seconds	Express opinion on a familiar topic
Task 2	Integrated (Read + Listen + Speak)	30 seconds	60 seconds	Read a passage, listen to a conversation, summarise the situation
Task 3	Integrated (Read + Listen + Speak)	30 seconds	60 seconds	Read an academic passage, listen to a lecture, explain the concept
Task 4	Integrated (Listen + Speak)	20 seconds	60 seconds	Listen to a lecture, summarise the key points

Responses are recorded and scored by a combination of human raters and automated scoring technology. Assessment criteria include delivery (clarity, fluency, pronunciation), language use (grammar, vocabulary), and topic development (coherence, completeness).

Writing

The Writing section includes two tasks.

Task	Type	Time	Description
Integrated Task	Read + Listen + Write	20 minutes	Read a passage (~250 words), listen to a lecture (2 minutes), write a response comparing the two (150–225 words recommended)
Writing for an Academic Discussion	Independent	10 minutes	Read a professor’s question and two student responses, then contribute your own position to the discussion (~100 words minimum)

The “Writing for an Academic Discussion” task replaced the traditional independent essay in the July 2023 format update. It is shorter and more focused — candidates must read others’ contributions and add a substantive original perspective.

Scoring

Section	Score Range	Increment
Reading	0–30	1-point
Listening	0–30	1-point
Speaking	0–30	1-point
Writing	0–30	1-point
Total	0–120	—

Each section is scored independently. The total score is the sum of the four section scores.

MyBest Scores (Superscores): ETS automatically calculates and reports “MyBest Scores” — the highest section scores across all valid TOEFL iBT attempts within the past two years. Many universities accept MyBest Scores, allowing candidates to combine their best performances across multiple sittings.

Syllabus overview

The TOEFL iBT does not have a prescribed syllabus. It tests English proficiency in an academic context. However, the content areas and question types are well-defined.

Reading — Content and Question Types

Question Type	Description	Frequency
Factual Information	Identify specific information stated in the passage	Common
Negative Factual Information	Identify what is NOT stated or NOT true	Common
Inference	Draw conclusions from stated information	Common
Rhetorical Purpose	Identify why the author mentions specific information	Common
Vocabulary in Context	Determine the meaning of a word as used in the passage	Common
Sentence Insertion	Determine where a new sentence fits in the passage	Less common
Prose Summary	Select major ideas that summarise the passage	1 per passage
Fill in a Table	Categorise information from the passage into a table	Occasional

Listening — Academic Content

Recording Type	Description	Skills Tested
Academic Lectures	University lectures on natural science, social science, arts	Main idea, supporting detail, organisation, connecting content
Lectures with Discussion	Lectures where students ask questions or participate	Speaker attitudes, pragmatic understanding
Conversations	Student-professor or student-staff interactions	Main idea, detail, function of statements, speaker’s attitude

Speaking — Assessment Criteria

Criterion	Description
Delivery	Clarity, fluency, natural pacing, pronunciation
Language Use	Grammatical accuracy, vocabulary range, precision of expression
Topic Development	Relevance, completeness, coherence of ideas

Writing — Assessment Criteria

Criterion	Description
Content and Development	Accurate representation of source material (integrated); clear position with support (discussion)
Organisation	Logical structure, coherence, use of transitions
Language Use	Grammatical accuracy and range, vocabulary precision

Eligibility and registration

Eligibility

ETS sets no eligibility requirements for the TOEFL iBT. Anyone may register and take the test.

• Age: No minimum or maximum
• Education: No prescribed qualification
• Attempts: Candidates may take the TOEFL iBT as many times as they wish, with a minimum gap of 3 days between attempts
• ID requirement: Valid passport (for international test-takers, including Indian candidates)

Registration

Registration is online at the ETS website.

1. Create an ETS account at ets.org
2. Select TOEFL iBT
3. Choose test date, test centre (or Home Edition), and location
4. Upload a passport photograph
5. Pay the registration fee
6. Receive confirmation and test appointment details

Fees

Component	Fee
TOEFL iBT registration	$200–$210 (varies by country; approximately ₹17,000–₹18,000 in India)
Late registration fee	$40 additional
Rescheduling fee	$60
Score reinstatement	$20
Additional score reports (beyond 4 free)	$20 each

Test centres in India

TOEFL iBT is available at ETS-authorised test centres in major Indian cities including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, and Chandigarh. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is also available for Indian test-takers with a stable internet connection and a private testing space.

Score validity

TOEFL iBT scores are valid for two years from the test date.

Cutoffs and score interpretation

TOEFL does not have universal cutoffs. Each university sets its own minimum score requirements.

Typical university requirements

Institution / Category	Typical Total Score (out of 120)
Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, Princeton	100+ (some programmes 105+)
Top 20 US universities (Duke, Northwestern, Johns Hopkins, etc.)	100+
Top 50 US universities	80–100
University of Toronto / McGill / UBC	90–100
Oxford / Cambridge / LSE	100–110 (equivalent to IELTS 7.0–7.5)
University of Melbourne / University of Sydney	79–94
Most UK and European universities	80–95
Conditional admission / pathway programmes	60–79

Previous years’ cutoffs are indicative. Actual cutoffs vary by category, round, and year.

Score percentiles (approximate, based on ETS data)

TOEFL iBT Score	Approximate Percentile
118–120	99th
110	93rd
100	79th
90	62nd
80	44th
70	28th

TOEFL to IELTS concordance

ETS and IELTS publish concordance tables for approximate comparison:

TOEFL iBT	IELTS Band
114–120	9.0
102–113	7.5–8.5
94–101	7.0
79–93	6.5
60–78	5.5–6.0

These concordances are approximate. Universities typically publish requirements in both TOEFL and IELTS formats.

Section-level requirements

Some universities specify minimum section scores in addition to total score requirements.

Section	Common Minimum (competitive programmes)
Reading	22–25
Listening	22–25
Speaking	22–25
Writing	22–25

Programmes with heavy writing or speaking components (liberal arts, journalism, law) may set higher minimums for Writing and Speaking.

Colleges and programmes that accept this exam

TOEFL iBT is accepted by over 12,000 institutions worldwide.

US institutions (on this site)

• MIT: TOEFL typically required for non-native English speakers (100+ expected)
• Stanford University: TOEFL accepted (100+ typical)
• Harvard University: TOEFL accepted
• Carnegie Mellon University: TOEFL required for international applicants
• New York University: TOEFL accepted (100+ for most programmes)
• Columbia University: TOEFL accepted
• Boston University: TOEFL accepted
• Northeastern University: TOEFL accepted for BS Computer Science and other programmes
• NYU Abu Dhabi: TOEFL accepted
• Arizona State University: TOEFL accepted for BS Computer Science and undergraduate programmes
• Penn State University: TOEFL accepted for BS Computer Science and undergraduate programmes
• University of Washington: TOEFL accepted for MS Computer Science and MBA

Canadian institutions

• University of Toronto: TOEFL accepted (89+ for most programmes)
• McGill University: TOEFL accepted (90+ typical)
• University of British Columbia: TOEFL accepted (90+ typical)
• University of Alberta: TOEFL accepted
• University of Waterloo: TOEFL accepted
• McMaster University: TOEFL accepted for MBA and MSc Economics
• Simon Fraser University: TOEFL accepted

UK and European institutions

• Cambridge University: TOEFL accepted (110+ typical)
• Oxford University: TOEFL accepted (100–110+ depending on programme)
• LSE (London School of Economics): TOEFL accepted (107+ typical)
• Imperial College London: TOEFL accepted
• University of Edinburgh: TOEFL accepted
• University of Manchester: TOEFL accepted
• University of Amsterdam: TOEFL accepted
• TU Delft: TOEFL accepted

Australian and Asian institutions

• University of Melbourne: TOEFL accepted (79+ typical)
• University of Sydney: TOEFL accepted
• UNSW Sydney: TOEFL accepted
• Australian National University: TOEFL accepted
• NUS Singapore: TOEFL accepted
• NTU Singapore: TOEFL accepted

Relevant programmes

TOEFL is relevant for international applications to virtually all programmes, including:

• MBA

• MA Economics

• MSc Data Science

• LLM

• BSc Computer Science

• Boston University accepts TOEFL iBT scores

• University of Cambridge accepts TOEFL iBT scores

• City University of Hong Kong accepts TOEFL iBT scores

• Columbia University accepts TOEFL iBT scores

• Leiden University accepts TOEFL iBT scores

• Ashesi University accepts TOEFL scores

• Bard College Berlin accepts TOEFL scores

• McGill University accepts TOEFL scores

• Nanyang Technological University accepts TOEFL scores

• National University of Singapore accepts TOEFL scores

• New York University accepts TOEFL scores

• Purdue University accepts TOEFL scores

• Simon Fraser University accepts TOEFL scores

• Singapore Management University accepts TOEFL scores

• TU Delft accepts TOEFL scores

• Technical University of Munich accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Alberta accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Birmingham accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Edinburgh accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Groningen accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Manchester accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Melbourne accepts TOEFL scores

• University of New South Wales accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Queensland accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Warwick accepts TOEFL scores

• University of Waterloo accepts TOEFL scores

How to prepare

Official resources from ETS

ETS provides extensive official preparation resources:

• TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test: A full-length free practice test available on the ETS website that replicates the actual test experience
• TOEFL iBT Practice Sets: Free practice questions for each section with scoring rubrics
• Official TOEFL iBT Tests (Volume 1 & 2): Published test collections with five full practice tests each
• TOEFL Practice Online (TPO): Paid practice tests that simulate the actual TOEFL iBT interface, including automated scoring for Speaking and Writing
• Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test: Comprehensive study guide with strategies, tips, and practice tests

The free practice test and practice sets should be the starting point for all candidates.

Section-wise strategy

Reading. The TOEFL Reading section tests academic reading comprehension. Passages are from university-level textbooks and cover a range of disciplines. Practise reading academic English — journal articles, textbook chapters, newspaper editorials. Focus on identifying main ideas, supporting details, and the rhetorical structure of passages. Vocabulary-in-context questions reward understanding words through context rather than memorised definitions.

Listening. TOEFL Listening tests the ability to understand academic lectures and campus conversations. The recordings are played once, and note-taking is essential. Practise listening to academic English — TED talks, university lectures (available on platforms like MIT OpenCourseWare), and podcasts. Focus on capturing main ideas, key details, and the speaker’s purpose and attitude.

Speaking. The integrated Speaking tasks require synthesising information from reading and listening passages. Practise the specific format: read a short passage, listen to a recording, then speak for 60 seconds. For the independent task, practise expressing opinions clearly with supporting reasons within 45 seconds. Record yourself and listen back — focus on clarity, fluency, and completeness rather than perfect grammar.

Writing. The Integrated Writing task requires comparing a reading passage with a lecture — practise note-taking from both sources and writing organised responses that clearly reference both. The Writing for an Academic Discussion task requires contributing a focused, well-supported response to an online discussion. Practise writing concise academic responses (~100–150 words) that directly engage with the given topic and student perspectives.

Preparation timeline

Phase	Duration	Focus
Diagnostic	1 week	Take the free ETS practice test; identify baseline score and weak sections
Content building	3–4 weeks	Daily academic English exposure (reading, listening); grammar and vocabulary review
Section practice	3–4 weeks	Timed practice for each section; focus on Speaking and Writing formats
Full practice tests	1–2 weeks	2–3 full tests under timed conditions; review responses against scoring rubrics
Final review	1 week	Light review; focus on test-day logistics and time management

Most candidates spend 6–10 weeks preparing. Students with strong academic English backgrounds may need less time; students who primarily use English in informal contexts should plan for additional preparation on the academic register tested by TOEFL.

Key dates and timeline

TOEFL iBT is available on-demand, with multiple test dates available throughout the year at test centres and via the Home Edition.

Delivery Mode	Test Frequency	Score Availability
TOEFL iBT (test centre)	Multiple dates per month at most centres	4–8 days after the test
TOEFL iBT Home Edition	Available on-demand	4–8 days after the test

Dates, pattern, and cutoffs shown are based on the 2025–26 cycle and may change. Check the TOEFL official website for the latest notification.

Planning your TOEFL timeline

Step	Recommended Timing
Begin TOEFL preparation	2–3 months before target test date
Register for TOEFL	2–4 weeks before preferred test date (popular dates fill quickly)
Take the test	At least 4–6 weeks before application deadline
Receive scores	4–8 days after the test
Send scores to universities	Up to 4 free score reports designated before or on test day

US application deadlines: Regular Decision deadlines are typically January 1–15. Students should complete TOEFL by November at the latest. Early Decision applicants should aim for October or earlier.

MyBest Scores: Since ETS reports MyBest Scores automatically, students who take the TOEFL multiple times benefit from having their highest section scores compiled across test dates. Many universities accept MyBest Scores.

Score validity: TOEFL iBT scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.

Related exams

• IELTS: The main alternative to TOEFL for English proficiency certification. IELTS uses British English and includes a face-to-face Speaking test, while TOEFL uses American English and records Speaking responses on computer. Both are accepted by most international universities, though IELTS is more commonly used for UK and Australian applications.
• GRE: Required by many US graduate programmes alongside TOEFL. International students typically submit both GRE (for academic ability) and TOEFL (for English proficiency).
• SAT: Some US universities accept SAT scores from international students in lieu of TOEFL, particularly if the SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score is above a threshold. Check individual university policies.
• GMAT: MBA applicants often submit both GMAT and TOEFL scores. Some business schools waive TOEFL for candidates who score above a certain threshold on the GMAT Verbal section.

Sources Used

1. TOEFL iBT — Official ETS Website
2. About the TOEFL iBT Test — ETS
3. TOEFL iBT Test Content — ETS
4. TOEFL iBT Scores — ETS
5. TOEFL iBT Registration — ETS