All about TOEFL

It’s great that you’re interested in taking the TOEFL! This website is a useful resource for TOEFL reading practice, so you’re in the right place.

In this article, I will answer some common questions about TOEFL. I’ll also share some advice on how to prepare for TOEFL and recommend some useful tools. 

Remember, the TOEFL isn’t a pass-or-fail test, it’s just a measure of your language ability. Some people like to take the TOEFL at the beginning of their preparation to understand their strengths and weaknesses. You can take the TOEFL many times to track your progress!

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What Are TOEFL Exams?

TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language.” TOEFL is used to test and confirm your language ability in English. The test covers four language skills: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. 

TOEFL mainly focuses on language that is used in academic or university settings. That’s why it is one of the most common requirements for non-native English speakers who want to attend university in English.

Who Needs to Take TOEFL?

Anyone can take the TOEFL! However, most people who decide to take TOEFL want to enter university, grad school, or even high school in an English-speaking country. 

ETS, the company that makes the TOEFL, recommends that test takers are at least 17 years old.

Many schools require a recent TOEFL score when submitting an application. More than 11,500 universities and institutions around the world accept TOEFL scores.

Where Is the TOEFL Exam Conducted?

At home! Most people decide to do the TOEFL from the comfort of their homes. You can do the test on your computer connected to the internet. Be sure to check the equipment requirements before choosing this option!

You also have the option of doing the TOEFL at a test center. There are tests scheduled more than 60 times a year. You can find a location near you on this site.

What Is a Good TOEFL Score?

Well, the maximum score on the TOEFL is 120 points. Test takers can score anywhere between 0 and 120. 

The test is divided into four parts, speaking, listening, reading, and writing, and each part is scored between 0 and 30. The total TOEFL score is calculated using the scores from these four parts.

The average TOEFL score is around 85. Many people say that a score of 90 is high enough for most universities.

Some famous US universities require the following TOEFL scores:

• Harvard: around 100
• Columbia: 100
• NYU: 100
• Penn State: 80

You can see a list of other popular universities and their TOEFL score requirement below:

To understand your TOEFL score better, take a look at this link.

How Long Is the TOEFL Score Valid?

Your TOEFL score is valid for two years, so it’s a good idea to download the PDF and maybe print a copy of it. 

The PDF score report becomes available for download two days after you receive your scores electronically through your ETS account. 

How to Prepare for TOEFL

Official TOEFL Material

Now that you understand more about the test, let’s start preparing. I recommend starting your preparation using the material provided by TOEFL. It’s safe to say that they know the test best.

Use this link to visit their page about preparation. They sell study courses and books that are great resources. Don’t buy them yet! Try the free stuff first. 

Go to the Practice Tests section and try doing a free practice test. This way, you can better understand the style of the test. You will also get a better idea of your strengths and weaknesses. 

After that, you can review even more TOEFL test questions from past tests in the Practice Tests section. Look for TOEFL iBT Practice Sets and review the reading, listening, speaking, and writing parts. You can also download PDFs for even more examples at the bottom of the page in each section.

TOEFL Teacher

Reviewing test questions and doing practice tests is a great way to become familiar with the test. It’s also a good study method, but not the most effective. 

To improve more quickly, especially with the speaking part, you have to work with a teacher. Check out some of the affordable TOEFL teachers on iTalki. View some of the teachers’ profiles, find someone you like, and book a lesson with them. 

They will prepare lessons, so you can focus on the language. Get feedback and tips from experts! Do yourself a favor and book a lesson with a coach.

My Site

Although my website with news stories for English learners isn’t specifically made for people preparing for TOEFL, it can still be helpful. Reading the news every day is a fantastic way to make improving your English a habit. You will remember more vocabulary, learn new words, and be exposed to proper grammar. 

You’ll also learn about different events and topics from around the world. TOEFL has many questions where you need to express your opinion and “give reason.” Knowing about current events and the language used to discuss them will help score you points.

If you’re looking for more language-learning advice, have a look at some of my blog posts. You might find the articles about listening, fluency, and writing most helpful!

TOEFL VS IELTS

TOEFL and IELTS are similar in that they both evaluate the English language abilities of non-native English speakers. For both tests, you’ll need to listen, read, write, and speak.

However, there are some significant differences between the two of them!

When it comes to content and format, TOEFL is focused on academic English while IELTS covers a wider range of settings, including academic, work, and social contexts. 

The scoring for TOEFL ranges from 0-120, whereas IELTS scores range from 1-9. A TOEFL score of 80 is roughly equivalent to a score of 6.5 on IELTS.

Another key difference is the purpose of the exams. TOEFL is usually used for admission to universities and colleges in the US and other English-speaking countries.

IELTS is also accepted by educational institutions like universities, but also many professional organizations, and immigration departments in countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.

For more information about IELTS take a look at my post in which I explain all you need to know! You may also be interested in learning more about the TOEIC test or Duolingo English Test, too.