TOEFL Test Format
TOEFL is offered in more than 170 countries and about 850,000 candidates take this test annually. Since 1995 TOEFL has been offered in three different formats:
- Computer Based Test (CBT)
- Internet Based Test (IBT)
- Paper Based Test (PBT)
Available formats for taking TOEFL depends on a test taker's location. Most places offer Computer- Based Test (CBT) of TOEFL. Internet-Based Test (IBT) is offered in The United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy. Paper-Based Test (PBT) is offered only in places in which there is no access or there is limited access to computers and or Internet.
Internet-based TOEFL Test (IBT)
The TOEFL Internet-Based Test (TOEFL IBT) tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The test helps students demonstrate that they have the English skills needed for success. TOEFL IBT also emphasizes integrated skills and provides better information to institutions about students' ability to communicate in an academic setting and their readiness for academic coursework.
Computer-based TOEFL Test (CBT)
The Computer-Based Test (CBT) measures English language proficiency in the following areas: Listening, Structure, Reading,Writing.
Candidates who take the computer based test will go through a computer tutorial before taking the actual test. This tutorial is not time limited and has no score. It just teaches you the skills needed to take the test such as using a mouse or scrolling.
| Section |
Time (minutes) |
Questions |
| Tutorial |
Unlimited |
|
| Listening |
40 to 60 |
30 to 50 |
| Structure |
15 to 20 |
20 to 25 |
| Break |
5 |
|
| Reading |
70 to 90 |
44 to 55 |
| Writing |
30 |
1 Topic |
Note that Listening and Structure parts of Computer-Based-Test (CBT) are computer adaptive. Computer adaptive means:
- Your answer to the first few questions determines the difficulty of the next question,
- You can answer one question at the time,
- You have to answer questions as they come because you cannot go back later,
- You cannot skip a question or change your answer later on,
- You can change your answer to a question as many times as you want while you are working on it. Once you go on to the next question you cannot go back.
Paper-based TOEFL Test (PBT)
The TOEFL Paper-Based Test (PBT) measures you English knowledge in three areas; Listening Comprehension, Structure and Written Expression, Reading Comprehension
|
Part I: Listening Comprehension
|
| Dialogues |
30 items |
| Two Conversation |
7 to 8 items |
| Three Talks |
12 to 13 items |
|
Part II: Structure and Written Expression |
| Sentence Completion |
15 items |
| Error Handling |
25 items |
|
Part III: Reading Comprehension |
| Reading Comprehension |
50 items |
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