Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 190 countries and territories. TOEFL is one of several major English-language tests in the world, including IELTS, Cambridge Assessment English, and Trinity College London exams. TOEFL is a trademark of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private non-profit organization, which designs and administers tests.
TOEFL generally requires that you only use either US English or UK English during your examination and not mix the two. Universities that require a TOEFL score usually ask you to meet a specific iBT score. iBT stands for the internet-based test and is the latest version of a TOEFL assessment. It is the preferred test for entry requirements of US universities, and the most widely accepted English proficiency test for higher education.
The test section of TOEFL
The TOEFL iBT takes around four hours to complete and consists of four skill sections. There is a mandatory break to be taken halfway through. The reading and listening sections can vary in length depending on the number of questions you get.
This section is scored by a computer and consists of 36-56 tasks based on reading academic texts and answering questions on your comprehension of them.
This section is also scored by a computer but consists of 34-51 tasks based on listening to lectures, classroom discussions, and conversations, then answering questions on your understanding of them.
Six tasks in this section are scored by a human assessor. The section lasts for 20 minutes.
This section is scored with a human and computer rating to get the best understanding of content and meaning. There are two tasks to complete in around 50 minutes.
Main differences between TOEFL and IELTS
- TOEFL generally requires that you only use either US English or UK English during your examination and not mix the two, whereas IELTS seems to be a bit more flexible
- TOEFL consists mainly of multiple-choice questions and the IELTS has more variation in how questions are formed and answers need to be given
- The IELTS exam is shorter than the TOEFL
- The IELTS speaking section is done face-to-face with an examiner