Majority of the Indian students or other people want to migrate to an English-speaking abroad country to study or work.
If you are from a non-native English-speaking country and want to work or study in an English-speaking country, you must improve your language proficiency.
There are numerous exams that students take to prove their language proficiency, like;
- IELTS
- PTE
- Duolingo
- TOEFL
Out of all these exams, the TOEFL is the oldest and most taken English language proficiency test.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a test that is used to measure the English language proficiency of students for academic or professional purposes.
This exam is conducted by ETS, and ETS itself manages its syllabus, pattern, and format.
In this blog, I will discuss the TOEFL exam, what is TOEFL, the sections in the TOEFL exam, the TOEFL score chart, the TOEFL exam fee, and how to apply for the TOEFL exam.
So let’s get started!
What is TOEFL?
I have already given a simple answer about what TOEFL is; It is an exam that tests candidates’ knowledge of the English language.
Let’s dig more into it and try to understand it in a better way.
Toefl full form is the Test of English as a Foreign Language.
As the TOEFL full form suggests, it is a test of the English language which tests the English language knowledge of the candidates for whom English is a foreign language.
The meaning of candidates with English as a foreign language is for the candidates who do not speak English as their native language.
They belong to countries with any other language than English as their native language.
So, it is obvious that English will be a foreign language for them.
The TOEFL exam tests the English knowledge of such candidates to find out if they can communicate and interact with People who speak English as their native language.
With the help of the TOEFL exam scores of a candidate, colleges or universities determine if the candidate is eligible to get admission to their college or university.
These scores also help authorities to decide about giving a student visa, work visa or any other type of visa to the candidate.
Now that you understand what is TOEFL, you must learn the reasons why you should take the TOEFL test.
Why You Should Take the TOEFL Exam?
Many students who want to pursue higher education abroad take the ETS TOEFL exam. Taking the TOEFL test would also make students eligible for several scholarships and also help them search for employment abroad with the visa application process.
This exam measures the candidate’s all four academic English skills = Listening, Speaking, Writing, and Reading, in the same way they are used in class across universities and colleges.
The main purpose of the TOEFL test is to assess a candidate’s proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening in English.
TOEFL is One of the most popular English-language exams for students who want to study abroad.
It is accepted by more than 11,000 colleges and institutions worldwide, including those in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the United States, and throughout Europe and Asia. You will get a lot of benefits if you choose the TOEFL exam.
What are the TOEFL IBT And PBT Tests?
Now that you know what is TOEFL exam, here you must also learn its types, like ibt and pbt tests.
Very few people know that TOEFL has two types of exams: IBT and PBT.
IBT stands for internet-based test, and PBT for the paper-based test.
There are some differences in both of the tests; the duration of the IBT test is 4 Hours, and on the other hand, the PBT test duration is 3 hours.
The IBT test has four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking.
PBT also has four sections; three sections are the same as IBT: Reading, Writing, and Listening, but instead of speaking, it has a section named structure.
Due to this difference in the sections, there is a huge difference in the duration of these tests.
This is the basic difference in both of the tests.
You can choose any of these tests, but if you want a direct answer, then I will say that you should go with the IBT test.
Most people prefer the TOEFL IBT test; they say that it is easier to have a good score in the TOEFL IBT test rather than the PBT test.
But, I do not think there is much difference between them, so you can choose anyone.
But, if you are confused, then go with the IBT Test.
Now, you have the information about both tests; So, if someone asks you what is Toefl, then ask him “IBT or PBT”.
What is TOEFL Exam Pattern?
If you are thinking of attempting the TOEFL exam, then you should have a clear knowledge of the exam pattern of the TOEFL.
Here is detailed information about the Pattern of this exam. I am sure it will be helpful for you.
We will be talking about the TOEFL ibt exam pattern because most people always prefer this test.
Here is the exam pattern of the TOEFL exam -:
As we already mentioned, this exam has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Writing.
| Section | Duration | Question | Tasks |
| Reading | 54 to 72 Minutes | 30 to 40 Questions | In this section, candidates have 3 to 4 passages of academic texts and some questions related to those passages. Candidates have to give an answer to these questions. |
| Listening | 41 to 57 Minutes | 28 to 38 Questions | In this section, first, candidates listen to some lectures, classroom discussions, and conversations, and then they have to answer the questions based on them. |
| Writing | 50 Minutes | 2 Tasks | In this section, candidates have to write essays in response to topics based on the reading and listening section. They also have to write their own opinion in the essays. |
| Speaking | 17 Minutes | 4 Tasks | In this section, candidates have to share their opinions on some topics. These can be familiar topics or topics that are discussed in reading and listening tasks. |
You will also have a break of 10 minutes after the tests of the first two sections.
This break is compulsory for everyone, so you have to take this break. You can use this break to recharge yourself.
During this break, you can leave the room, walk a little, grab a snack, or you also can prepare for your other two tests.
But I will suggest that you use this break to relax yourself.
What Is Toefl Exam Fee?
Another important thing that you must learn about the TOEFL exam is the fee. It is also a deciding factor that whether to take the TOEFL test or not.
Most students go for the ones that do not affect their pocket or which are pocket friendly.
So here is the detailed fee of the TOEFL exam that will help students to decide whether they should take the TOEFL test or not.
| TOEFL Exam | Fees |
| TOEFL iBT Exam Fee | 16,900 INR |
| TOEFL at Home Exam Fee | 16,900 INR |
| TOEFL paper-based Exam Fee | 16,900 INR |
| TOEFL Essential Test Exam Fee | US$100 – $120 |
Let’s have a detailed overview of TOEFL exam fees (According to the official website) -:
| Type of fees | Fees in US$ |
| Reinstatement of canceled scores | 1,990 INR |
| Additional score reports | 1,950 INR |
| Late Registration | 3,900 INR |
| Rescheduling | 5,900 INR |
| Score review of Speaking or Writing sections | 7,900 INR |
| Returned payment | 2,900 INR |
| Registration | This fee can vary on the basis of your testing location.For India, the fee is mentioned above. |
Here is the list of accepted payment methods for paying the TOEFL exam fee.
- Global Issued – Visa, MasterCard, and American Express credit cards
- Indian/ Locally Issued – Visa, MasterCard, and Maestro credit and debit cards, Rupay credit and debit cards, UPI, etc.
TOEFL Score Chart
Knowing what is TOEFL score chart is also an essential part of the TOEFL exam.
| Score Range | Level |
| ReadingScore Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (18–23) Low-Intermediate (4–17) Below Low-Intermediate (0–3) |
| ListeningScore Range 0–30 | Advanced (22–30) High-Intermediate (17–21) Low-Intermediate (9–16) Below Low-Intermediate (0–8) |
| SpeakingScore Range 0–30 | Advanced (25–30) High-Intermediate (20–24) Low-Intermediate (16–19) Basic (10–15) Below Basic (0–9 |
| WritingScore Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (17–23) Low-Intermediate (13–16) Basic (7–12) Below Basic (0–6) |
| Total Score | 0–120 |
Key Highlights of The TOEFL Exam
After learning properly what is TOEFL, here are the key highlights of the TOEFL exam to get an overview of the TOEFL exam.
| Exam Name | TOEFL |
| TOEFL full form | Test of English as a Foreign Language |
| Official Website | https://www.ets.org/toefl |
| Conducting Body | ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
| Widely popular as | English language proficiency test |
| Generally accepted by | TOEFL iBT: Internet-based test, TOEFL Test on Paper, and TOEFL at Home test |
| Exam Mode | TOEFL iBT: Internet-based test, TOEFL Test on Paper and TOEFL at Home test |
| Fees of TOEFL IBT | 16,900 INR |
| Score Range | Reading: 0–30 Listening: 0–30 Speaking: 0–30 Writing: 0–30 |
How To Apply For The TOEFL Exam?
You are also required to learn how to apply for the TOEFL exam after learning what is TOEFL exam.
Step 1: visit the official website of TOEFL “https://www.ets.org/toefl.html”
Step 2: Fill in all the detail like your name, address, email ID, etc.
Step 3: you have to ensure the information you provide is the same as your passport detail.
Step 4: Select your TOEFL exam date and exam center
Step 5: confirm your selection
Step 6: pay your application fee
Step 7 get your printout of the acknowledgment form for future reference
TOEFL Exam Centres in India
Here is the list of TOEFL exam centers in India that students must learn about once they understand what is TOEFL exam.
| TOEFL Centres in Chandigarh Saint Kabir Public School – Chandigarh Sector 26 – Computer Lab, Chandigarh – 160 019 | TOEFL Centres in Chandigarh Saint Kabir Public School – Chandigarh Sector 26 – Computer Lab, Chandigarh – 160 019 |
| TOEFL Centres in Dehradun The Doon School Mall Road, Dehradun – 248 001 | TOEFL Centres in Gurgaon NCR Region Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd Iris Tech Park, Tower A, 2nd Floor Sector – 48 Sohna Road, Gurgaon – 122 018 |
| TOEFL Centres in Jaipur Kalvi Institute Private Ltd – Jaipur Katewa Nagar Ext Gujar Kithari, New Sanganer Road, Jaipur – 302 019 | TOEFL Centres in Delhi Council For American Education A-260 Defence Colony New Delhi – 110 024 NIMT Information Centre – Delhi F3, First Floor, CSC2, DDA Market, Above Mother Dairy, G Block Preet Vihar, Preet Vihar, Delhi – 110 092 |
| TOEFL Centres in Patna Itechnoplus Education And Solution Pvt Ltd1st Floor, Pratiksha Bhawan, BSNL Exchange Compound, Opp. Shiv Mandir, Khajpura, Bailey Road, Patna – 800 014 | TOEFL Exam Centers in Pune The Lexicon International School – Pune Lexicon Estate, Gat No. 726 Pune Nagar Highway, Bakori Phata Wagholi, Pune – 412 207 |
| TOEFL Centres in Amritsar Spring Dale Senior School Fatehgarh Churian Road, Amritsar – 143 001 | TOEFL Exam Centres in Bangalore Prometric Testing Pvt Ltd 3rd Floor Tower B Prestige Shanti Niketan,White Field ITPL Road Bangalore South Taluk, Bengaluru – 560 048 |
Top 10 TOEFL Prep Books for 2022
Here are below some best books that will help you to improve your TOEFL scores:
- TOEFL Pocket Vocabulary by Kaplan
- TOEFL iBT: 8 Online Practice Tests by Barron’s
- Princeton Review TOEFL iBT Prep
- TOEFL Preparation Book by Mometrix
- TOEFL Preparation Book by TPB
- The Complete TOEFL iBT Success on Udemy
- TOEFL iBT Prep Plus by Kaplan
- The Official Guide to the TOEFL by ETS
- ETS: TOEFL Test Preparation
- Magoosh Online Prep
TOEFL Score Comparison
| TOEFL | DUOLINGO | IELTS | PTE | PROFICIENCY LEVEL |
| 118-120 | 155-160 | 9 | 89-90 | EXPERT |
| 115-117 | 145-150 | 8.5 | 83-85 | VERY GOOD |
| 110-114 | 135-140 | 8 | 78-82 | VERY GOOD |
| 102-109 | 125-130 | 7.5 | 73-77 | GOOD |
| 94-101 | 115-120 | 7 | 64-72 | GOOD |
| 79-93 | 105-110 | 6.5 | 58-63 | COMPETENT |
| 60-78 | 95-100 | 6 | 50-57 | COMPETENT |
| 46-59 | 85-90 | 5.5 | 42-49 | MODEST |
| 35-45 | 75-80 | 5 | 35-41 | MODEST |
| 32-34 | 65-70 | 4.5 | 30-34 | LIMITED |
| 0-31 | 55-60 | 0-4 | 0-30 | EXTREMELY LIMITED |
10 Best Tips for Toefl Preparation
Now, we are just at the end of this blog, so let’s end this blog with some tips for TOEFL preparation so that this blog can be helpful to more people.
So, here are some tips for Toefl preparation -:
- First, understand the TOEFL Exam format completely.
- Make a strategy or plan to study according to the exam pattern.
- Use the best sources to study; nowadays, there are many fake teachers out there, so always study from trusted sources.
- Prepare your notes from the study sources; it will help you a lot in your revision time.
- Work on your Grammar and Vocabulary.
- Practice reading complex texts.
- Watch and Listen to English content like movies, shows; it will be better if you choose English news.
- Try to speak with someone who is good at English.
- Practice your speaking by rehearsing in front of a mirror.
- Record your responses and listen to them after.
So, these were the tips that I wanted to share with you.
I hope these tips will be helpful for you in your preparation for the TOEFL exam.
You May Also Like -:
- Complete Information about PTE Score Chart
- PTE vs ILETS: Important Differences
- 17 Tips To Get 8+ Bands in ILETS Speaking
Conclusion
So, this is the end of this blog, I tried my best to explain everything about “what is TOEFL” in detail.
In this blog, I have explained the TOEFL, its exam pattern, its comparison with IELTS, and some other information.
TOEFL is one of the best exams which you should consider if you want to study abroad.
There are many other options as well, but this test also provides many advantages, like over 10,000 organizations accepting it, so you should think about it.
I hope you liked the blog about what is TOEFL exam; stay connected to the course mentor for more amazing content.
FAQs
What is the TOEFL exam used for?
Toefl exam is one of the best proficiency exams to test the level of excellence in the English language. This exam is mostly used for proving eligibility to study, immigrate or work in an English speaking country. It is accepted by a lot of countries.
Is TOEFL hard to pass?
Every exam has its pros and cons. There are some points where we feel that the TOEFL exam is hard to pass. But if we compare it to some other exams, we will find that it is easier than exams like SAT, ACT.
