Test of English as a Foreign Language by ETS
The TOEFL exam pattern and syllabus evaluate four key skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The updated TOEFL exam format in 2025 is focused on real-life communication and integrated tasks that are similar to university-level interactions. From the table below, we will discuss the TOEFL exam details and how each section tests your English proficiency:
Section / Skill | Number of Questions/Tasks | Time Allocation | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Reading |
2 passages (10 questions each) |
35 minutes |
Read passages and answer the questions. |
Listening |
3 lectures (6 questions each), 2 conversations (5 questions each) |
36 minutes |
Listen to brief lectures or classroom discussions and then answer questions. |
Speaking |
4 tasks |
16 minutes |
You have to speak about a familiar topic and discuss content you read and heard. |
Writing |
2 tasks |
29 minutes |
Read a passage, listen to a recording, and type your response. State and support your opinion in an online classroom discussion. |
You need to practice with TOEFL sample papers to better understand TOEFL exam subjects, format and question types. You can use the following practice material:
Below are some of the important preparation tips that you can follow to improve your score:
The TOEFL syllabus includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section evaluates your proficiency in the English language required in academic and professional settings.
TOEFL does not have traditional subjects but focuses on testing English language skills. The four main components are Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, covering academic and conversational English.
The difficulty of TOEFL depends on a test-taker’s proficiency in English. With proper preparation and practice, it is manageable. The exam requires good time management and familiarity with academic English.
TOEFL and IELTS test similar skills but have different formats. TOEFL is computer-based and consists of multiple-choice questions, whereas IELTS includes more varied question types and face-to-face speaking assessments. Some students find TOEFL harder due to the integrated tasks, while others prefer its structured format.
The length of each section is as follows:
The total time is 116 minutes, approximately 2 hours.
The syllabus usually remains the same, however, sometimes, there can be minor changes. You can always check with the official ETS website.
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