ETS
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL iBT is an internet-based academic English test from ETS, widely used for university admission, especially in the United States and Canada. It tests reading, listening, speaking and writing with integrated tasks and is scored out of 120.
What it is
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based) is an academic English test from ETS. It is accepted by thousands of universities, especially in the United States and Canada, for admission.
Internet-based and integrated
The test is taken online at a test centre or at home, in about two hours. Speaking is recorded by microphone, and several tasks are integrated - you read and listen, then speak or write about both sources. Notes are allowed throughout.
Test structure
- Reading - about 35 minutes, two academic passages with questions.
- Listening - about 36 minutes, lectures and conversations.
- Speaking - about 16 minutes, four tasks: one independent and three integrated.
- Writing - about 29 minutes, two tasks: an integrated read-listen-write task and a Writing for an Academic Discussion task.
Scoring
Each section is scored from 0 to 30, for a total out of 120. Scores map to CEFR levels; many universities ask for a total of about 80 to 100, sometimes with a per-section minimum. Results are usually available within about four to eight days.
For teachers
TOEFL rewards academic reading and listening, good note-taking, and the ability to combine sources quickly in speaking and writing. Drill note-taking and the fixed templates for the integrated speaking and writing tasks, and build timed, recorded practice.
Resources for teaching TOEFL iBT
Browse all →Lesson plans
TOEFL iBT Reading: Strategy Guide
A teacher guide to the TOEFL Reading section: academic passages, question types and timing.
TOEFL iBT Listening: Strategy Guide
A teacher guide to the TOEFL Listening section: lectures, conversations and note-taking.
TOEFL iBT Speaking: The Four Tasks
A teacher guide to the TOEFL Speaking section: the independent and integrated tasks, templates and timing.
TOEFL iBT Writing: Integrated & Academic Discussion
A teacher guide to the TOEFL Writing section: the integrated task and Writing for an Academic Discussion.
TOEFL iBT: Handling Integrated Tasks
A teacher guide to the integrated read-listen-speak/write pattern and the note-taking it needs.
Sources