The TOEFL iBT has four main modules: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, with each section scored 0–30 for a total score out of 120 and a test time of about 2 hours. The newer format is shorter and more focused, but the core skills and task types in each module remain the same.
Overall test structure
Sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing.
Duration: About 116–120 minutes in total (Reading 35 min, Listening 36 min, Speaking 16 min, Writing about 29 min).
Scoring: Each section 0–30, combined to a total score of 0–120.
| Module | Time limit | Questions/Tasks | What it tests | Score range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | ~35 min | 20 questions (2 passages) | Academic reading comprehension, vocabulary, inference | 0–30 |
| Listening | ~36 min | 28 questions (3 lectures + 2 conversations) | Understanding lectures and campus conversations | 0–30 |
| Speaking | ~16 min | 4 tasks | Speaking about familiar topics and academic material | 0–30 |
| Writing | ~29 min | 2 tasks (1 Integrated + 1 Academic Discussion) | Summarizing sources and expressing opinions in writing | 0–30 |
Reading module
The Reading section has 2 academic passages (about 700 words each) with 10 questions per passage, for a total of 20 questions in 35 minutes. Passages come from university-style textbooks or articles and test how well you understand main ideas, details, structure, and vocabulary in context.
Common question types include:
Detail and negative detail (checking specific information, including “NOT/EXCEPT” forms).
Vocabulary and sentence simplification (meaning of a word or selecting a simpler version of a sentence).
Inference and rhetorical purpose (what is implied, why the author mentions something).
Insert sentence and “Reading to Learn”/prose summary or table questions (choosing where a sentence fits, selecting key ideas).
Reading uses mainly multiple-choice questions, including some with more than one correct answer or drag-and-drop summary/table tasks, and your raw correct answers are converted to a 0–30 scaled score.
Listening module
The Listening section includes about 3 academic lectures and 2 campus conversations with a total of 28 questions in about 36 minutes. Lectures are similar to university classes, while conversations usually involve students and staff discussing campus issues.
Question types test:
Basic comprehension (main idea, important details, organization).
Pragmatic understanding (speaker’s attitude or purpose) and connections between ideas (cause–effect, comparisons, examples).
Note-based understanding where you listen once, take notes, and answer multiple-choice questions, sometimes with more than one correct choice.
All questions are answered after each recording finishes (no replay), and correct answers are combined and converted into the 0–30 listening score.
Speaking module
The Speaking section has 4 tasks and takes about 16 minutes, all recorded through a microphone and later rated by certified raters and AI. It checks if you can speak clearly and coherently in academic contexts using appropriate grammar and vocabulary.
The tasks are:
1 Independent task: You speak about a familiar topic, expressing your personal opinion or preference.
3 Integrated tasks: You read and/or listen to short materials (campus or academic), then summarize or explain using both sources in your response.
Format details:
Preparation time is short (about 15–30 seconds), and speaking time is typically 45–60 seconds per task.
Responses are judged on delivery (pronunciation, fluency), language use (grammar, vocabulary), and topic development (organization, use of information).
Writing module
The Writing section has 2 tasks and lasts about 29 minutes in the newest format. It measures your ability to write in an academic style, organize ideas, and use supporting details clearly.
Tasks:
Integrated Writing: You read a short academic passage, listen to a related lecture, and then write a response explaining how the lecture relates to the reading (e.g., supports, challenges, or adds details).
Academic Discussion Writing: You join an online-style class discussion, read a short prompt with other students’ posts, and write a short, focused response giving and supporting your opinion.
Both tasks are typed on computer, and scoring focuses on content, organization, vocabulary, grammar accuracy, and how well you use information from the sources in the Integrated task.
Improving your TOEFL score involves consistent practice, skill-building, and familiarizing yourself with the test format. Key strategies include:
Develop daily English exposure by reading, listening, speaking, and writing in English regularly, such as reading news or listening to podcasts to enhance language immersion.
Practice note-taking during listening and integrated speaking/writing tasks to better retain information and answer related questions accurately.
Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions to understand the test structure, improve timing, and build test-day confidence.
Focus on improving typing speed and familiarity with the computer interface since writing tasks are typed.
For reading, practice skimming for main ideas, scanning for keywords, and becoming familiar with common question types.
In speaking, organize responses clearly, practice natural pacing, minimize fillers, and record yourself for self-review.
For writing, outline your essays before writing, use transition words, provide clear examples, and leave time to proofread for grammar and coherence.
Use official ETS materials, TOEFL-prep books like “The Complete Guide to the TOEFL Test” and online courses for structured learning and authentic practice questions.
Stay relaxed and confident during the test, as nervousness can affect performance; practicing under realistic conditions helps build this.
Regular practice, focused skill development, and understanding the TOEFL test pattern are crucial to improving scores across all four modules.
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