When it comes to assessing your English language proficiency for academic or professional purposes, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is one of the most widely recognized examinations. If you’re considering studying abroad in countries like the USA, Australia, or Canada, where English matters a lot, the TOEFL exam is a big deal. ETS manages the TOEFL syllabus to check how well an aspirant reads, writes, listens, and speaks English in a university-like setting.
Moreover, understanding the TOEFL syllabus is essential if you plan to take this test. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll dive deep into the TOEFL syllabus by providing all the information you need to excel in this crucial language assessment. Furthermore, you will also learn about the latest update for the TOEFL Exam Syllabus, section-wise TOEFL syllabus, and steps on how to prepare for TOEFL exam syllabus.
What is TOEFL?
Before we delve into the syllabus, let’s briefly explain the TOEFL exam. The TOEFL exam is designed to evaluate the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. It is widely accepted by universities, colleges, and institutions worldwide as a standard for admissions. TOEFL measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level, making it a crucial step for international students planning to study abroad.
TOEFL Exam Pattern
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam follows a specific format to assess your English language proficiency. Understanding this format is crucial for effective preparation. Here’s an overview:
| Test Mode | Internet-based Test (iBT) |
| Duration | Approximately 4 hours |
| Sections | Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing |
| Scoring | On a scale of 0-120 points |
| Score Validity | 2 years |
The TOEFL iBT is the most common exam mode, replacing the earlier paper-based test. It is administered via the Internet, allowing test-takers to complete the exam on a computer. Moreover, it is a comprehensive test that takes around 4 hours to complete, including all sections. The TOEFL exam is divided into four main sections, each assessing specific language skills: Reading Section, Listening Section, Speaking Section, and Writing Section.
In addition, the TOEFL exam is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points, with each section receiving a score from 0 to 30 points. Universities, colleges, and institutions use these scores to evaluate your English language proficiency. Different institutions may have varying score requirements, so it’s essential to check their specific criteria. Now, let’s move to the main topic of TOEFL Syllabus 2023.
Latest Update for TOEFL Exam Syllabus
ETS ( Educational Testing System ), the conducting body of the TOEFL test, has shortened the TOEFL iBT exam pattern to just under 2 hours, starting July 26, 2023.
Moreover, the TOEFL iBT format has also undergone some changes. Here is a comparison image that shows the comparison between the new TOEFL iBT exam pattern and the old TOEFL iBT exam pattern:
Now, let’s discuss about the latest TOEFL Syllabus.
Latest TOEFL Syllabus 2023
In the following table, you will get all the information related to the time limit, number of questions, and task descriptions of all four sections of the TOEFL exam.
| Section | Time limit | No. of Questions | Tasks Description |
| Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | Read the passages and answer the questions |
| Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | Answer the questions related to a discussion of brief lectures or classroom |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 tasks | Talk about a familiar topic, or you can discuss the material you read and listen to |
| Writing | 29 minutes | 2 tasks | Type your response after reading a passage. |
Furthermore, the overall TOEFL score range is 0 to 120. But for each individual exam section, the score range is 0 to 30. In addition, a mandatory 10-minute break is also provided to the candidate after the first 2 sections of the exam. For instance, after the reading and listening section, a 10-minute break is provided.
Related Article: WHICH COUNTRIES ACCEPT TOEFL EXAM IN 2023?
TOEFL Syllabus 2023: Section-wise
As discussed earlier, the TOEFL syllabus is divided into four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Now, let’s discuss all the sections in detail.
Please note that the information provided is from the latest syllabus of the TOEFL iBT test.
TOEFL Syllabus: Reading Section
The reading section of the TOEFL exam measures the candidate’s ability to understand conversations in academic and non-academic contexts. According to the TOEFL syllabus, the reading section includes two passages of approximately 700 words. Moreover, the candidate gets 10 questions per passage, and it will take about 35 minutes for the candidate to complete this section. The section is scored on the basis of the number of correct reading comprehension responses. An aspirant will have four types of reading task items in this exam:
- Vocabulary based questions
- Answering the questions in true or false or not stated options
- Read 200-word academic passages on topics such as science, arts, business etc. After that, answer 6 questions related to it.
- Answer the MCQs after reading 15-150 words of short text.
Highlights of TOEFL Syllabus Reading Section:
Total number of questions: 20
Total time: 35 minutes
TOEFL Syllabus: Listening Section
The Listening section evaluates the ability of a candidate to understand spoken English. You’ll listen to conversations and lectures, followed by questions to assess your listening skills. You will have 36 minutes to complete the section. The total number of questions will be 28.
Moreover, you will be listening to 3 lectures, and each lecture will be of 3-5 minutes of duration and 6 questions per lecture of about 500-800 words. In addition, you also have to tackle 2 conversations, each conversation will be 3 minutes long and 5 questions per conversation. There is a smart tip: You can take notes while listening to the audio to answer related questions quickly.
Highlights of TOEFL Syllabus Listening Section:
Total number of questions: 28
Total time: 36 minutes
The upcoming mentioned list shows the question types in the TOEFL Listening Section:
- Gist-content and Gist-purpose
- Detail Questions
- Function Questions
- Attitude Questions
- Organization Questions
- Connecting Content Questions
- Inference Questions
Note: To know about different types in the TOEFL listening section, you can read our other blog on 10 Best TOEFL Listening Tips to Ace the Exam
TOEFL Syllabus: Speaking Section
In the Speaking section, you’ll express your thoughts on various topics. You’ll be evaluated on your pronunciation, fluency, and ability to convey ideas more clearly. To earn the highest scores in this section, you must ensure that you fulfill the task’s demands with minimum lapses and minor mistakes.
If we discuss the speaking section in detail, you will get 1 independent task with a preparation time of about 15-30 seconds. After that, you have to respond for about 45-60 seconds. Moreover, you will also get 3 integrated tasks of read/listen/speak. You are allotted 15-30 seconds for preparation, and you have to respond for about 45-60 seconds.
Highlights of TOEFL Syllabus Speaking Section:
Total number of tasks: 4
Total time: 16 minutes
TOEFL Syllabus: Writing Section
The Writing section requires you to write responses to academic tasks. You’ll be assessed on your ability to organize ideas, use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, and convey information effectively.
In this section, there are 2 broad tasks which are explained here:
Integrated Writing Task: The test takers are required to read a short passage and listen to a short lecture recording. Then, test-takers have to write their response based on information presented in the passage and the lecture. The time duration for this task is 20 minutes, divided into 3 minutes of reading time, 2 minutes of listening time, and 15 minutes of writing time.
Independent Writing Task: The test takers must write an essay on a given topic based on their personal opinion or experience. The time duration for this task is 10 minutes.
Highlights of TOEFL Syllabus Writing Section:
Total number of tasks: 2 ( as explained above )
Total time: 29 minutes
Effective preparation for the TOEFL exam involves familiarizing yourself with these sections and practicing regularly. By understanding the TOEFL format and dedicating time to study and practice, you can enhance your chances of achieving the scores needed to pursue your academic goals. Now, let’s discuss various steps of how to prepare for TOEFL Exam Syllabus.
How to Prepare For TOEFL Exam Syllabus?
Do you want to know how to prepare for TOEFL Exam Syllabus? If yes, so let’s get started. Preparing for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam requires a structured approach to cover the various aspects of the test. The TOEFL exam assesses the English language skills of a candidate in four different sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to prepare for the TOEFL exam:
1. Understand the TOEFL Format
The first step of how to prepare for TOEFL Exam Syllabus is to understand the TOEFL format. To do this, you have to familiarize yourself with the TOEFL format. The test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Moreover, a candidate should learn about the test duration, the number of questions in each section, and the scoring system to understand the format.
2. Set a Study Schedule
Moving further, setting a study schedule is another step of how to prepare for TOEFL Exam Syllabus. So, create a study schedule that suits your availability and goals. To do this, a candidate should dedicate specific time each day or week for the TOEFL preparation. Furthermore, you should also include breaks and review sessions to avoid burnout.
3. Gather Study Materials
The another step of how to prepare for TOEFL exam syllabus is to gather the study material. For that, acquire TOEFL preparation materials, such as textbooks, practice tests, and online resources. Some popular resources include official TOEFL books, online practice tests, and TOEFL preparation courses.
4. Improve Your English Skills
To prepare for the TOEFL exam syllabus, enhance your overall English language skills by reading English newspapers, books, and magazines.
Moreover, you can also watch English movies and TV shows to improve your listening comprehension. So, practice speaking and writing in English regularly.
5. Focus on Each Section
You must divide your study time to work on each TOEFL section individually. For the Reading and Listening sections, practice reading and listening to academic content, including articles, lectures, and conversations. Furthermore, practice answering sample prompts for the Speaking and Writing sections and get feedback from a teacher or a language partner.
6. Build Vocabulary
Expand your vocabulary by learning new words and phrases. Use flashcards or vocabulary apps to aid your memorization. In addition, pay attention to academic and context-specific vocabulary, as these are often tested in the TOEFL.
7. Practice Time Management
For practicing time management, simulate real test conditions by practicing under time constraints. Time management is crucial for the TOEFL exam.
It is a very good practice because you can manage your time and complete the exam on time by giving answers to every question.
8. Take Full-Length Practice Tests
Practicing mock tests is important to prepare for TOEFL Exam Syllabus. To do this, take several full-length TOEFL practice tests to get a feel for the test that will improve your endurance. Furthermore, you can analyze your performance after each practice test to identify improvement areas.
9. Review and Revise
This is another step of how to prepare for TOEFL exam Syllabus. It is a good practice to continuously review the material you’ve covered and revisit your weaknesses. To do this, make use of official TOEFL resources to get a better understanding of the test format and question types.
10. Seek Professional Guidance
After practicing the mock test and reviewing the performance. You can seek professional guidance that will help you in overcoming your weaknesses. For this, consider enrolling in a TOEFL preparation course or hiring a tutor for personalized guidance and feedback.
11. Relax and Stay Healthy
Before the test day, ensure you get enough rest and maintain a healthy lifestyle in the weeks leading up to the exam. Moreover, manage test anxiety by practicing relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
12. Register for the Exam
Once you feel confident in your preparation, register for the TOEFL exam on the official ETS website. For that, you can visit the browser and search the ETS official website. After that, you can register for the TOEFL exam by following the required steps.
All these points will help you answer your question about how to prepare for TOEFL Exam Syllabus. Remember that consistent practice and dedication are key to success on the TOEFL exam.
Related Article: 25+ TOEFL Accepted Universities in USA in 2023
Final Words
In conclusion, the TOEFL exam is a vital step for international students aspiring to study in English-speaking countries. Understanding the TOEFL syllabus and exam pattern is crucial for effective preparation and success. Start your TOEFL journey today to open doors to exciting educational opportunities worldwide.
In this article, we have discussed the TOEFL Syllabus, Exam Pattern, the latest update for TOEFL exam syllabus, and step-wise guidance on how to prepare for the TOEFL exam syllabus. I hope all this information we have provided in the article will benefit you. The TOEFL syllabus is an important part of your journey to study abroad. We recommend you to check the ETS’s official website for the latest information. Till then, thank you for reading the article with full patience. Visit CourseMentor again to learn more about the relevant content, topic, and information.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the passing score criteria for the TOEFL exam?
The passing score for the TOEFL exam varies by institution, but a score of 80-100 is generally considered competitive.
2. Can I retake the TOEFL exam if I’m unsatisfied with my score?
Yes, you can retake the TOEFL exam as often as you wish, but there must be at least a 12-day gap between attempts.
3. How long is the TOEFL score valid?
TOEFL scores are typically valid for two years from the test date.
