TOEFL iBT

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) test is a popular English test used by universities for a wide range of purposes including advanced placement, acceptance, and college credit.

It is accepted by 11,000+ universities and other institutions in over 150 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States, the U.K., and across Europe and Asia.

There are 170 testing locations around the world offering in person testing as well as online appointments if you prefer to test at home.

Exam Overview:

Click here for an overview of the test.

Where is this test recognized?

This test is internationally recognized anywhere a B1, B2, or C1 CEFR score is accepted.

Is it accepted by Global Seal of Biliteracy?

Yes! You can earn a Global Seal by achieving these scores in all sections:

Functional Fluency: B1 (R: 4-17, L: 9-16, S: 16-19, W: 13-16)
Working Fluency: B2 (R: 18-23, L: 17-21, S: 20-24, W: 17-23)
Professional Fluency: C1 (R: 24-30, L: 22-30, S: 25-30, W: 24-30)

In order to earn a Global Seal, candidates must meet the minimum score requirement on all sections of the test.

Is a proctor required?

All Global Seal tests require proof of a proctor. Reach out to the testing company to find more information.

When and Where does this test take place?

There are two ways to take a TOEFL test. If you test at a testing center, you will need to find a location near you. This option is offered 170 times per year.

If you test at home, there is a 4-day window to set up an appointment. You will need to ensure that your testing environment meets their requirements.

What is the cost?

The test cost ranges from $180-$325, but varies by location.

This is the CEFR level that each score corresponds to:

In order to earn a Global Seal of Biliteracy, candidates must meet the minimum score requirement on all sections of the test. Award levels are determined by the lowest skill score.

For more information on the CEFR scale, click the image above.

Test format:

There are 4 sections covering reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The total time will be around 2.5 hours. Each section is scored out of 30 and then added together for a maximum of 120 points. View TOEFL’s Performance Descriptors to see what is required for each CEFR level.

The reading portion of the test will take approximately 35 minutes and consists of reading passages and answering 20 questions based on the text.
Each reading passage will be around 700 words in length and will have 10 questions following it. They will be introductory texts found in university textbooks. You will not be required to use any previous knowledge on the topic as the answer to all 10 questions can be located from the provided text.
The listening portion will take 36 minutes to complete. This section requires you to answer 28 questions based on audio material provided, such as lecture or discussions.
You will listen to university lectures and classroom discussions lasting 3-5 minutes each and then answer 6 questions. You will also listen to 2 3-minute conversations and answer 5 questions on each. The goal is the measure your capabilities in basic comprehension, understanding a speaker’s attitude and degree of certainty, and connecting information.
The speaking section will ask you to talk about a familiar topic as well as discuss material that is provided to you either in a text or audio format. You will need to produce an answer that is 45-60 seconds long for each.
There are 4 different formats for these prompts:
Question 1: Independent Speaking Task - This prompt will ask you to share your thoughts on a topic withot any other provided material. You will draw from your own experiences to answer this question.
Questions 2–4: Integrated Speaking Tasks - These prompts will combine speaking with either one or two other skills as you either read or listen to a prompt and then share your response to it.
You will complete 2 tasks in 29 minutes for the writing portion of the test. The first task will ask you to read a passage or listen to a recording and then type your response to it. The second task will ask you to provide your opinion on an online classroom discussion.
The first task is an Integrated writing task that will take 20 minutes to complete and will ask you to listen to a lecture and read a passage and respond to both of those items.
The second task is an Writing for an Academic Discussion task where you will share and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion setting.