Need help?

TOEFL Exam Syllabus

Image

TOEFL Exam Syllabus


The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the full form of one of the most common English assessment examinations for candidates planning to study in the United States, Canada, or any other major English-speaking country. ETS administers the TOEFL exam, which is now offered in three formats: TOEFL iBT (Internet-based format), TOEFL at Home (home-based TOEFL test), and TOEFL Paper delivered test (held at both the TOEFL test centre and at home). In this article, we'll look at the TOEFL exam syllabus for the year 2023.

Image

TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus (2023)


The TOEFL syllabus was created to evaluate candidates' reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities in a university setting. The TOEFL exam and syllabus were created to evaluate candidates' diverse skills and determine their English language competency. The TOEFL syllabus covers all aspects of the exam, including writing, reading, listening, and speaking.

Sections

Duration

No. of Questions

Description 

Reading

60-80 minutes

36-56 questions

three to four reading passages to answer questions.

Listening

60-90 minutes

34-51 questions

Audio clips containing 4-6 short lectures and 2-3 lengthy conversations.

Break

10 minutes

-

-

Speaking

20 minutes

6 Tasks

It is necessary to speak on familiar topics or on any academic-related issues.

Writing

50 minutes

2 Tasks

After comparing a reading passage to a classroom lecture, express your opinion, logic, and argument.

TOEFL Exam Syllabus (Section Wise)


TOEFL Exam Syllabus Students' TOEFL iBT syllabus includes reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. The TOEFL exam format is as follows, and it covers the TOEFL writing syllabus, TOEFL reading syllabus, TOEFL listening syllabus, and TOEFL speaking syllabus:

TOEFL Syllabus: Reading Section


The reading section appears first in the TOEFL test pattern. The primary goal of the TOEFL reading section is to assess the candidate's ability to understand English and provide an accurate response to it.
  • TOEFL reading test pattern is related to academic study materials; 3-4 reading passages of approximately 700 words are provided as prompts; 10 questions will be asked from each passage. 
  • The TOEFL iBT reading pattern has a time limit of 54 to 72 minutes. 
  • Adapted from university-level textbooks 
  • TOEFL reading passages cover a wide range of topics. 
  • Scores will be given in raw points before being converted to a scale of 30.

Reading Questions Covered in TOEFL Syllabus:

  • 3–4 passages, 10 questions each
  • Total no. of questions: About 40
  • Total time: 54-72 minutes

TOEFL Syllabus: Listening Section


Because one of the most important skills required for living abroad is the ability to understand not only the English language but also the various accents used around the world, TOEFL listening focuses on evaluating the aspirant's ability to understand not only the English language but also the different accents used around the world. Universities will have lectures, and workplaces will require constant communication - TOEFL listening measures every aspect of the test while it is being taken. Candidates who follow proper TOEFL Listening Preparation Tips can easily score above 25 on a scale of 30.

Listening Questions Covered in TOEFL Syllabus:

  • 3–4 lectures (3-5 minutes long, about 500-800 words), 6 questions each; About 30 questions in total.
  • 2–3 conversations (about 3 minutes long, about 12-25 exchanges), 5 questions each; About 12 questions in total : Total no. of questions: 40+ , Total time: 41–57 minutes

TOEFL Syllabus: Speaking Section


Speaking in English becomes the most important skill when attending a lecture, enquiring about a topic, or presenting a PPT, and the TOEFL speaking test assesses the necessary skills to ensure fluency. The primary goal of the TOEFL speaking pattern is to determine the candidate's comfort level in speaking English in educational situations. To understand the question format, experts recommend obtaining TOEFL Speaking Topics from recent years.

Speaking Questions covered in TOEFL Syllabus:

  • 1 independent task (prep time: 15 sec; response time: 45 sec)
  • 3 integrated tasks – Read/Listen/Speak (prep time: 30 sec; response time: 60 sec) :Total no. of questions: 4 , Total time: 17 minutes

Writing Questions Covered in TOEFL Syllabus:

  • a) 1 integrated task – Read/Listen/Write (20 minutes) (reading time: 3 min; listening
  • time: 2 min; writing: 15 min)
  • b) 1 independent task (30 minutes) : Total no. of questions: 2 , Total time: 50 minutes

How to Prepare for TOEFL Exam?


TOEFL is one of the most widely accepted English proficiency exams at universities around the world. As a result, candidates seeking a high TOEFL score should continue reading as we bring together the best TOEFL study material and TOEFL preparation books for our TOEFL aspirants.

Preparing for the TOEFL exam is a highly individual experience. To enhance this experience, we have provided TOEFL preparation material, section-by-section TOEFL preparation tips, TOEFL preparation books, and TOEFL online preparation modules for our diverse readership. Many times, students can forego the TOEFL self-study plan (mentioned below) in favour of professional assistance. Candidates looking for professional guidance can visit one of our top TOEFL coaching centres in India.

TOEFL Preparation Tips


All exam takers prepare for the TOEFL in two ways: self-study and attending coaching classes. Both of these study methods have distinct advantages, and neither is superior to the other. If money is the most important factor, self-study using TOEFL books and resources may be the better option. Similarly, enrolling in a TOEFL coaching centre is the better option if you require professional guidance to ensure you have an advantage in TOEFL exam preparation.

The TOEFL Test assesses candidates' ability to understand English at the university level. Reading, writing, listening, and speaking are the four sections used to assess a candidate's ability. Candidates should first understand the format of the test, as well as the results and scoring system of the test, when preparing for it. ETS, the organisation that administers the TOEFL exam, also provides free and paid study materials that are easily accessible.

TOEFL Preparation Books

If you're looking for the best TOEFL preparation resources, we can assure you that you're already on the right track to passing your TOEFL exam. Preparing for the TOEFL diligently is essential to achieving a good score, so whether you choose to prepare with a TOEFL book or through other means is just the icing on the cake. 

If you're thinking about purchasing a TOEFL book, keep the following points in mind:

  • Make sure your TOEFL book is up to date with the most recent test format; 
  • Forr the full experience, you'll need a TOEFL book with a CD or online Listening exercises; 
  • And an answer key is required to fully utilise your TOEFL book's practise tests.
If you want to supplement your exam preparation with some online resources, we recommend that you look through our top TOEFL preparation websites and select the ones that interest you the most.

Here are the Top 8 All-Time Best Books to Prepare for the TOEFL IBT

  • Official Guide to the TOEFL Test (ETS)
  • Official TOEFL iBT Tests (ETS)
  • Cambridge Preparation for the TOEFL iBT Test (CUP)
  • TOEFL Preparation Course (Macmillan)
  • TOEFL iBT (Barron)
  • TOEFL iBT Prep Plus (Kaplan)
  • The TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner (ETS)
  • Essential Words for the TOEFL (Barron’s)