TOEFL Exam: Fees, Syllabus, Registration, Centers & More

Do you intend to study abroad and are a non-native English speaker? Then you’ve probably heard of the TOEFL exam.

TOEFL is a well-known English language test that is accepted by top universities all around the world. It demonstrates your command of the English language skills essential for furthering your education abroad.

So, if you want to take the TOEFL but aren’t sure what you need to know, you’ve come to the correct place! This post will serve as a guide for you to learn about TOEFL and its vital components.

What is TOEFL?

The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a standard test that assesses your command of the English language. It is administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service), the TOEFL’s regulatory body. This test is mostly taken by non-native English speakers who want to get into programs at English-speaking universities.

TOEFL Acceptance

Being one of the most popular English language assessment tests, TOEFL is widely accepted by international universities & colleges. More than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries accept the TOEFL test.

TOEFL accepting countries include –

• USA
• Canada
• New Zealand
• Australia
• United Kingdom
• And various other countries across Europe and Asia

An Overview of TOEFL Exam

Before proceeding with an in-depth understanding of the exam, let’s take a look at the key aspects of TOEFL:

Particulars and Details

• Full Form of TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
• Organizing Body: ETS (Educational Testing Service)
• Official Website: https://www.ets.org/toefl
• Examination Mode: Internet-based Test and Paper-delivered Test
• Number of Sections: 4
• TOEFL Exam Duration: 3 hours (Internet-based test), Approx. 2.5 hours (Paper-delivered test)
• Skills Measured: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing
• Overall Score Range: 0 – 120
• TOEFL Score Validity: 2 years
• TOEFL iBT Exam Fee: US$185

Why take TOEFL?

TOEFL is a high-quality test that proves you have the English skills to excel at international universities. Over 35 million people worldwide have taken and trusted the TOEFL. The test gives aspirants an unbiased assessment of their English-speaking abilities to succeed in their college program abroad.

However, the admissions board is certain that the applicant can handle an English-based program’s course load.

Thus, TOEFL becomes essential to your aim of attending an English-speaking university.

What are Eligibility Criteria for TOEFL?

As per the ETS, there is no eligibility criteria prescribed for the TOEFL. As well as there is no set age limit to appear for TOEFL.

However, generally students who have passed 12th grade or high school appear for the exam.

Specifically, TOEFL is generally taken by individuals who fall under any of the following categories:

• Students who aspire to study in a university or high school in an English-speaking country.
• Individuals who need to demonstrate their mastery of the English language for Immigration purposes.

What are the types of TOEFL Exam?

The types of TOEFL Tests currently available are explained as follows:

TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL iBT exam is given online at a recognized testing center. It is divided into four skill areas: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Students have three hours to finish the exam.

If ETS provides TOEFL iBT in your country, it is suggested that you take it. The reason for this is that many universities only accept TOEFL iBT scores, and this test kind is also less difficult.

TOEFL iBT Home Edition

Students who want to take their test at home rather than in a testing facility prefer the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. This is the same TOEFL iBT test; the only difference is that it is offered to test takers at their leisure. ProctorU’s artificial intelligence technologies and live remote proctors are used to supervise the test here. It is available in all countries where TOEFL iBT testing is generally provided, with the exception of Mainland China and Iran.

The TOEFL Essentials Test

The new TOEFL Essentials test assesses English proficiency outside of academia. ETS assessment professionals construct and review it with certified trained humans and AI techniques to ensure validity and accuracy. Compared to TOEFL iBT, the 90-minute test covers four essential English language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

The sections’ activities include a variety of mild accents and test circumstances from around the world, giving TOEFL Essentials a worldwide sense.

In terms of modality, there were two TOEFL tests before these:

• TOEFL Internet Based Test (iBT)
• TOEFL Paper Based Test (pBT)

As of 21 April 2021, TOEFL PBT has been discontinued. And now, only the TOEFL iBT is in effect all round the world.

How is TOEFL Structured & Timed?

TOEFL comprises skill sections that are carefully structured to gauge your command over the English language. Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL Exam Structure in the following section.

Overview of TOEFL Exam Structure

The TOEFL iBT exam is broken into four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

You have 3 hours and 30 minutes to finish the entire test. This includes a 10-minute break halfway through the exam as well as time for check-in.

The TOEFL Exam Structure is depicted in the graphic below. The sections of the exam occur in the same order as described below.

What is the Syllabus for TOEFL?

As you are now aware of the structure that is followed in the TOEFL exam. Let’s gain a thorough understanding of the TOEFL Syllabus for each section.

TOEFL Reading Section

The Reading portion assesses your ability to comprehend and interpret academic English passages. You will be given three or four passages to read and answer questions about. After each reading passage, there are 9 or 10 questions. The length of the section is determined by the number of passages received.

If you get 3 passages, you will have 54 minutes to answer the questions.

Whereas, if you get 4 passages, you will have 72 minutes to respond.

The reading passages are followed by a set of questions that assess your reading and interpreting skills. These Question types are as follows:

• Factual Information
• Negative Factual Information
• Inference
• Rhetorical Purpose
• Reading Vocabulary
• Sentence Simplification
• Insert Text
• Prose Summary

TOEFL Listening Section

This section evaluates your English comprehension of lectures and discussions. Listen to 2-3 chats and 3-4 lectures here. Since you’ll only hear these snippets once, you must take notes to answer the questions.

The majority of questions are one point. If a question is worth more than one point, specific instructions will indicate how many points you can get. You have 41–57 minutes to finish the section.

The Listening Section has these question types:

• Gist-Content & Gist-Purpose
• Detail
• Function
• Attitude
• Organization
• Connecting Content
• Inference

TOEFL Speaking Section

Your spoken English talents are assessed on a range of themes in the Speaking section. This portion takes 17 minutes to complete. You will be given four tasks/questions based on real-life circumstances faced in the academic, social, or professional setting.

These tasks are roughly classified as Independent Speaking Tasks and Integrated Speaking Tasks.

• Independent Speaking task requires you to combine your listening and speaking skills to respond to the questions. You’ll have to speak based on your own opinions, ideas and experiences.
• Whereas, under the Integrated Speaking tasks you are required to combine and link your listening, reading and speaking skills in order to respond.

TOEFL Writing Section

The Writing component assesses your ability to write in English effectively. You are evaluated on your ability to arrange and communicate your thoughts in the form of essays. It is divided into two parts: the Integrated Writing Task and the Independent Writing Task. You have 50 minutes to complete both essays.

• In the Integrated Writing task, you get a short passage to read and listen to a short lecture. You are required to summarize the main ideas of both the excerpts and explain how they are connected. Time duration for this task is 20 minutes.
• The Independent Writing task requires you to write an essay in response to a given topic based on your personal experience and beliefs. You are graded based on the structure of the essay and development of your ideas. Time duration for this task is 30 minutes.

TOEFL Results & Scores

TOEFL results are widely recognized by universities all over the world. A high TOEFL score is one of the requirements for admission to your preferred university. As a result, it is critical that you grasp the score range and proficiency level.

Section and Level of Proficiency

Reading:

• Advanced (24-30)
• High-Intermediate (18-23)
• Low-Intermediate (4-17)
• Below Low-Intermediate (0-3)

Listening: 

• Advanced (22-30)
• High-Intermediate (17-21)
• Low-Intermediate (9-16)
• Below Low-Intermediate (0-8)

Speaking:

• Advanced (25-30)
• High-Intermediate (20-24)
• Low-Intermediate (16-19)
• Basic (10-15)
• Below Basic (0-9)

Writing:

• Advanced (24-30)
• High-Intermediate (17-23)
• Low-Intermediate (13-16)
• Basic (7-12)
• Below Basic (0-6)

Note: You are not penalized or marked negatively for answering any question incorrectly. That means you can make a guess while answering!

Each of the aforementioned skill areas is rated from 0 to 30. This results in a total scaled score of 0-120. ETS also assures that your TOEFL score is exact and of the highest quality. The TOEFL test is scored in this manner using a combination of automatic AI scoring and Certified Human Raters.

When do you receive your TOEFL Result?

Your TOEFL score report will be emailed to you roughly 6 days following your exam date. Your results are then available in your ETS account.

Your TOEFL score record is valid for two years from the date of the test. Universities abroad do not accept expired results, so make certain that you only provide authentic score reports to your desired college or university.

How to Register for TOEFL?

If you are aspiring to take the TOEFL, you mandatorily have to register yourself on the official ETS website. Since it is conducted over 60 times a year worldwide, TOEFL exam registration can be done as per your convenience.

What are the Documents required to register for TOEFL?

The TOEFL exam requirements differ depending on your country and the region where you intend to take the test. If you are an Indian taking the TOEFL, you must have a valid passport as identification. Citizens of other countries can check their country-specific and general ID needs here.

Registration Procedure for TOEFL

You can register for TOEFL through four different methods:

• Online
• In-person
• via Phone
• via Mail

Out of these, the online registration method is the easiest and convenient of all the methods. Thus, let’s learn the step-by-step procedure for registering online.

TOEFL Online Registration Procedure

• Visit the official ETS website. Under the option TOEFL ‘For Test Takers’, go to ‘Taking the Test’ and click on ‘Register Now’.
• Create a New Account by filling in all the required details. Login to your account and enter your preferred testing location and choose the 2-month period when you would like to take the test.
• At this stage, fill out your Identification Information and use an ID that is valid for your testing location.
• Now, on the ‘Free Score Recipients’ page, choose upto 4 Institutions you would like to send your test scores to.
• Then, choose how you would like to receive your score report. Whether you want to receive it through in your e-mail or a paper copy of it via mail.
• You will now be directed to the Payments page. Here, select your preferred mode of payment and currency. And pay your TOEFL fee.

What is the Fee for TOEFL Exam?

The Fee for the TOEFL Exam varies by testing location or across countries. As per the ETS, the essentials of TOEFL fee for Indian test takers is mentioned below.

• TOEFL Internet-based test Fee: US$185
• TOEFL Exam Late Fee: US$40
• TOEFL Rescheduling Fee: US$60
• TOEFL Cancellation Fee: US$20

What are the Test Dates for TOEFL?

ETS administers the TOEFL exam more than 60 times every year. It helps you to select your preferred TOEFL date because there are numerous dates accessible each month. Furthermore, you have the choice of scheduling your exam in the morning, afternoon, or evening.

It is recommended that you book the TOEFL test date as soon as possible, as they can fill up quickly during peak season. It will also allow you adequate time to prepare for the test as well as report your results.

Where are the Test Centers for TOEFL?

There are about 4,500 TOEFL test centers spread across 165 countries. It is advisable that you pick a test center carefully while taking into consideration the travel and check-in time.

How to Prepare for TOEFL?

TOEFL preparation must begin far in advance. The level of your scores is determined by the quantity of your practice. As a result, study and practice intensively with an effective plan and appropriate methods.

The following are some preparatory tips and tactics that you may want to include in your Study Plan.

• Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL exam structure and syllabus. Understand the pattern well and plan out your study schedule accordingly.
• Try building up your reading speed. Do this by timing yourself while reading passages. Also, quickly skim through the passages while you read and look out for the main idea of the passage.
• Practice becoming a good Note Taker. While you read and listen to any excerpt, take down quick notes and practice doing this regularly.
• Expand your vocabulary to write effective answers with good use of words.
• Master the TOEFL Writing section by learning to write effective essays in English. Also, time yourself while you write. As you will have to finish writing the essay in a limited given time.
• Take practice tests and solve TOEFL sample papers in order to get an idea of the whole exam.

Knowing that the TOEFL cannot be passed or failed is crucial. One must choose a goal score based on the minimum necessary by their desired university. To get that score, plan ahead and start TOEFL preparations early.

Make sure your TOEFL prep is complete. Invest in a decent preparation guide and study resources. You can pass the test even if you study alone at home. TOEFL practice exams and online study resources can help you prepare and track your progress.

Frequently Asked Questions by Students on TOEFL (FAQs)

Q1. Is the TOEFL test hard?

TOEFL is a difficult examination, to be sure, but with diligent preparation and proper techniques, one can easily pass the exam. It is a lengthy test that requires speed to complete the skill portions. So, before the test, you should work on your endurance and learn to pace yourself. This will allow you to complete the exam more quickly.

Q2. Does ETS provide a free TOEFL test?

Yes, ETS does provide a free TOEFL test. It has one full-length TOEFL Practice test and practice sets for each individual section.

Q3. In which countries is the TOEFL accepted?

TOEFL is accepted in more than 150 countries including the United States, Australia, Canada and the U.K.

Q4. Can I cancel TOEFL?

Yes, you can cancel your TOEFL exam. In order to receive a refund, you must cancel your registration 4 days before the test date. You’ll then receive a refund of 50% of the original test fee you paid.

Q5. Does the TOEFL certificate expire?

Yes, the TOEFL score has a validity of 2 years. After this time period, your score report expires and does not get accepted by any international university.