TOEFL Exam 2023: Registration, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Pattern, Preparation, Result & Score

The TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test) is a test that harmonizes the assessment of non-native speakers' English language proficiency. Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing are the four language skills that are assessed on the test. The cost to take the TOEFL is 195 USD (16046 INR).  It takes about three hours to complete the test, which is administered online at accredited testing facilities around the world.  The TOEFL iBT is a widely recognized assessment tool used by universities, employers, and immigration authorities to evaluate an individual's English language abilities.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) candidates will be able to see their official score release date after completing the test, and the test will take less than two hours to complete starting on July 26, 2023, as opposed to the three hours it currently takes. The modifications are intended to give test-takers the best possible experience. More than 10,000 institutions across more than 150 nations, including well-known locations like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as more than 98% of UK universities, accept the TOEFL Exam as proof of English proficiency.

Since the test's debut in 1964, the ETS TOEFL curriculum and testing practices have complied with university and institutional standards. The test's name underwent its most recent change in 2005, becoming TOEFL iBT. The exam now consists of tasks that assess a candidate's proficiency in reading, listening, writing, and speaking as required by today's most competitive academic settings.

What are the TOEFL-iBT and TOEFL-PBT Exams?

The ETS TOEFL offers two options for delivering its English language proficiency exam. Exams are given in two formats: online (TOEFL iBT) and on paper (TOEFL PBT).

ETS TOEFL - iBT Exam

The TOEFL-iBT test is the most widely used because it is taken by more than 90% of students online. The four components of the TOEFL-iBT test are speaking, hearing, writing, and reading.  The instructions given to the students state that each component must be finished on a computer equipped with a microphone and camera. There is a lot of scrutiny placed on the iBT test's writing section because there is not a separate section to gauge applicants' knowledge of grammar.

ETS TOEFL – PBT Exam

A paper-based English language test is given called the TOEFL PBT. Even those who live far from an online testing facility can take the exam. The TOEFL PBT test has a very different format from the iBT due to the addition of a separate essay section. In comparison to the IBT, the listening portion of the PBT features shorter recordings.

Highlights

Name of Exam TOEFL
Full NameTest of English as a Foreign Language
Official Websitehttps://www.ets.org/login.html 
Registration Fee195 USD
Organizing BodyETS (Educational Testing Services)
Accepted by Universities150+ Countries
TOEFL Exam Frequency 50 Times
TOEFL Exam DurationLess than 2 Hour
Exam ModeBoth Online and Paper Based
Number of Testing Centers in India59
TOEFL Exam Dates 2023Based on your testing Location 
TOEFL Score Validity2 Years
  • The TOEFL exam fee in India 2023 has changed from the previous TOEFL Exam Fee of US $190 to US $195, and candidates planning to take the TOEFL iBT test must be aware of this.
  • This gives them the chance to test out the new improvements or experience them before the changes go into effect.
  • The TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test and TOEFL iBT Practice Sets are now available on the TOEFL website in updated versions.
  • In the upcoming weeks, more options for both free and paid test preparation will be updated to take these modifications into account.

TOEFL Exam Registration

The following are the procedures for TOEFL Exam registration:

  • On the TOEFL Exam website, applicants must either create a new account or sign in to an existing one.
  • Following that, applicants would need to carefully create their TOEFL test-taker profile. When submitting their TOEFL scores or during the application process, they would be asked to provide any additional information that would be useful.
  • The next step is for candidates to decide which TOEFL Exam Dates best suit their schedules for taking the test. The next step is for candidates to choose between taking the exam at a nearby Test Center or at home with the recently introduced TOEFL at Home option.
  • After choosing his preferred TOEFL Exam Date and Exam Center, the candidate will be directed to the exam payment gateway page. The US $195 TOEFL registration fee or TOEFL form fee must be paid by candidates.  The requirements for the exam should be carefully reviewed by candidates. After the initial payment has been made, additional changes will be charged.
  • The applicants would have successfully submitted their TOEFL Exam Registration after receiving payment.  Candidates may print a copy of the acknowledgment receipt. They would also have access to the same information on their account dashboard for later use.

TOEFL Exam Eligibility Criteria

For TOEFL exam eligibility, you must meet the following requirements:

  • The TOEFL exam can be taken by anyone, regardless of age. Examinees under the age of 16 might, however, be required to present additional identification proof.
  • No particular academic credentials are needed to take the TOEFL. The TOEFL exam is open to everyone, regardless of academic standing. 
  • The TOEFL exam is designed for non-native English speakers who want to study or work in an English-speaking environment. Therefore, test-takers should have a basic understanding of the English language.
  • When registering for the exam, test takers must present a valid government-issued ID, such as a passport or driver's license.

Although many universities and organizations around the world accept the TOEFL exam, each organization may have its own unique TOEFL Exam eligibility requirements. Test takers should inquire about the institution's eligibility requirements with them before applying.

TOEFL Exam Pattern & Syllabus

The new TOEFL Exam Pattern is available below for candidates to review.

Reading Exam Pattern

On the TOEFL 2023 exam's Reading section, candidates will receive 20 questions based on various passages. Both the candidate's ability to comprehend English and their capacity to respond to it effectively will be judged in this section.

  • The passages provided to the candidates in this section are primarily taken from textbooks for colleges and universities.
  • The test-takers will each be given three to four passages totaling roughly 700 words.
  • The candidates will have 35 minutes to answer every question in the section.
  • There will be ten questions for each TOEFL Reading Topic.

Listening Exam Pattern

The TOEFL Exam pattern's Listening section consists of 28 questions. This test measures a candidate's comprehension of English-language conversations and lectures.  Lectures and Conversations are the two divisions that make up the listening section.

  • There are three to four lectures, some of which include class discussions, and each lecture lasts three to five minutes and includes six questions.
  • There are two to three conversations that last three minutes each and contain five questions.
  • 36 minutes will be allotted to each candidate to complete their answers.
  • Additionally, candidates will be able to choose from a variety of English accents.
  • Onscreen text will be written using particular terms or words from the audio clip.

TOEFL Speaking Pattern

There will be 4 questions provided in the speaking section of the TOEFL 2023 exam. The test-takers will initially be asked to speak on a subject based on their knowledge, and then they will be asked to do so based on the reading and listening materials that have been provided.

  • There are 16 minutes total allotted for this section of the TOEFL 2023.
  • Candidates have 45 seconds for each of the first two independent tasks to voice their opinions on well-known subjects.
  • Each audio clip and reading passage have a time limit of 60 seconds for the candidate to finish them.
  • This section assesses the test-taker's capacity for expressing their opinions clearly and persuasively while providing sufficient justification.

TOEFL Writing Pattern

The primary goal of the TOEFL Writing section is to assess a candidate's capacity for organizing and expressing ideas in a coherent manner.

  • Write for an Academic Discussion will be used in place of the Integrated writing task.
  • Writing a post for a discussion forum for academics online is the assignment.
  • In-class advertising is the subject of the discussion.
  • Your viewpoint on the subject should be expressed and supported in the post.
  • Ten minutes are allotted for writing your post.
  • The professor will pose a question, and the other students will respond with their thoughts.
  • Contributing to the conversation and participating in the ideas put forth are the objectives.

Results for the TOEFL will be published online six days following the test's start. The sum of the points for each of the four skill areas yields the overall score. In addition, candidates have the choice of up to four universities to transmit the score report to while registering for the TOEFL. ETS provides the official score reports to the universities the student has chosen as soon as the TOEFL results are made public. 

Exam Structure

Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing will be the four categories that make up the TOEFL exam in 2023. Additionally, the overall score will be computed. It is always recommended that applicants use TOEFL Sample Papers as much as possible because doing so will increase their scores. The TOEFL exam's format is decided by ETS, the organization in charge of handling its administration.  The TOEFL test pattern is the primary factor taken into account when creating all of the study materials.

SectionsTime-DurationTasks
Reading

Questions: 30–40 questions

 

Duration: 54–72 minutes

Reading three to four academic text excerpts and responding to questions based on them.
Listening

Questions: 28-38

 

Duration: 41-57 minutes

Answering questions based on lectures, dialogues, and classroom discussions that you have just listened to.
Break: 10 minutesBreak: 10 minutesBreak: 10 minutes
Speaking

Questions: 4 tasks

 

Duration: 17 minutes

Candidates must talk based on reading and listening exercises and give their viewpoints on a common topic.
Writing

Questions: 2 tasks

 

Duration: 50 minutes

Candidates must support their written arguments with evidence from reading and listening assignments in essays.

TOEFL Test Scores

Candidates must comprehend how each section is graded in order to understand their TOEFL exam scores. Candidates receive an email from ETS when their scores are available, which happens six days after they take the exam. The TOEFL results are available online. After 11 days from the TOEFL test date, candidates receive their printed score results via email.

The TOEFL exam scores are broken into four categories as follows:

SectionsScore RangeMean Scores*
Reading0-3020
Listening0-3019
Speaking0-3019
Writing0-3020
Total0-12078

 Syllabus

The Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing portions of the TOEFL Exam Syllabus are intended to evaluate the candidate's abilities. View the TOEFL Exam Syllabus below.

TOEFL Reading Test

The reading comprehension abilities of the applicant are evaluated on the TOEFL Reading portion. The test measures the test-ability takers to read and comprehend academically appropriate passages. The portion consists of three to four readings, each of which is followed by ten questions.

TOEFL Listening Test

The listening comprehension abilities of test takers are evaluated in the TOEFL Listening portion. The evaluation is conducted on two levels:

  • Analyzing the exam taker's fundamental comprehension abilities
  • Evaluating the test-capacity to comprehend and summarize the information by probing their pragmatic understanding.

TOEFL Speaking Section

The TOEFL Speaking portion evaluates a candidate's proficiency in academic English communication. This section contains 4 assignments that are based on actual-world scenarios.

TOEFL Writing Section

The goal of the TOEFL Writing portion is to determine if a test taker's writing abilities meet academic standards.

Exam Dates & Center

The TOEFL Exam dates 2023 in India depend on the location of the student applying for the test. The Students can enter their city on the official website to check the specific TOEFL Exam Dates according to their convenience. 

At accredited testing facilities or online, the TOEFL iBT exam is available up to six days a week throughout the world. The TOEFL iBT testing option that best suits your requirements and preferences will be chosen when you register, whether it be in a test center, at home, or on paper. You can view the test dates in your ETS account. Not every test date is accessible in every location. 

Two appointments for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must be scheduled at the same time as registration. Appointments are available at a licensed testing facility for up to two dates per month for the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections of the Paper Edition. Within three days of the test center appointment, the Speaking section is taken separately at home.

TOEFL Exam Fees

Different locations charge different TOEFL Exam fees. TOEFL Exam fee in India 2023 charges USD 195. In addition, there are other services that candidates must pay extra for, such as late registration, exam rescheduling, or score reviews. Following is a list of prices for various services. For the TOEFL Exam Fee in Indian rupees, you can convert that to the current rate of Indian currency in comparison with USD.

ServicesTOEFL Exam Fees
Registration FeeUSD 195
Late Registration FeeUSD 40
ReschedulingUSD 60
Reinstatement of canceled scoresUSD 20
Additional score reports (per recipient)USD 20
Speaking or Writing section score reviewUSD 80
Speaking and Writing section score review USD 160
Returned PaymentUSD 30

Preparation Tips and Sample papers

A TOEFL study guide can help overseas students comprehend the test and the best strategies to exhibit their English proficiency. In general, English-speaking pupils benefit more from these prep books than others. The students need to refer to the TOEFL Exam question papers from previous years for good preparation. The TOEFL Exam sample papers are also very useful for the self evaluation of the students appearing in the exam.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is TOEFL exam? +

An assessment of English language proficiency is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Non-native English speakers typically use this while applying to colleges abroad where English is the preferred language of instruction.

What is TOEFL Exam Full Form? +

TOEFL Exam Full Form is Test of English as a Foreign Language

What is TOEFL Exam Duration? +

Less than 2 Hours

What is the cost of taking the TOEFL Exam? +

US$195

IELTS and TOEFL: Which is harder? +

Exams like the IELTS and TOEFL demand regular practice. However, a lot of test takers say that the TOEFL is rather more difficult.

Is a passport necessary to take the TOEFL exam? +

Yes, the candidate must have a current passport when taking the test.

How long is a TOEFL score good for? +

Within six to ten days of the test date, candidates can see their results electronically. The candidates will receive the physical report in 11 days.

Is the TOEFL exam available online? +

The TOEFL iBT is an option for students who would rather take the exam at home than in a testing facility. The applicants will be proctored by a human proctor online through Proctor, and the test's content will be comparable to that of the pen-and-paper format.

What is a respectable TOEFL score? +

An excellent TOEFL score is one with an overall band above 100.