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TOEFL

TOEFL Exam Pattern

31 July, 2025
Ananya Saikia
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025: Latest Format, Section-Wise & more

If you’re planning to study abroad, understanding the TOEFL exam pattern is essential for success. The TOEFL assesses a non-native English speaker’s proficiency in academic English across four key areas: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Recognized by over 11,000 institutions worldwide, the TOEFL test helps universities evaluate how well you can handle English-language coursework.

 

Familiarizing yourself with the structure and timing of each section can help to improve your preparation and boost your overall score significantly. Let us learn more!

 

TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025 – Overview

 

Understanding the TOEFL exam pattern 2025 is essential for aspirants aiming to study abroad. Here’s detailed breakdown of the TOEFL 2025 exam pattern:

 

TOEFL Pattern 2025 – Overview

 

TOEFL Section Description Format Total Questions Duration
Reading Assesses comprehension through passages 2 passages (700 words each) 20 35 minutes
Listening Evaluates listening skills via lectures and conversations 3 lectures, 2 conversations 28 36 minutes
Speaking Measures oral communication ability 1 independent task, 3 integrated tasks 4 tasks 16 minutes
Writing Tests writing skills through structured tasks 1 integrated task, 1 academic discussion task 2 tasks 29 minutes

Negative Marking or Penalty in TOEFL Exam

 

The TOEFL exam follows a scoring scale of 0 to 120, with each section- reading, listening, speaking, and writing- graded out of 30. Your TOEFL score is calculated based on the number of correct responses and the difficulty level of the questions. Importantly, there is no negative marking in the TOEFL. 

 

This means candidates do not face any penalty in TOEFL for incorrect answers, encouraging them to attempt every question without fear of score deduction.

 

Section-wise TOEFL Pattern & Question Types

 

Candidates can check the question types of TOEFL exam as the follows:

 

Section Question Types
Reading Section Read academic passages and respond to multiple-choice questions.
Listening Section Listen to short lectures and classroom discussions, then answer related questions.
Speaking Section Speak about a familiar topic and summarize information from reading and listening.
Writing Section Write responses after reading a passage and listening to a recording.
Express and support an opinion in an online academic discussion.

TOEFL Pattern: Reading Test

 

Section Name Time for the Section Number of Questions Score Scale
Reading 35 minutes 20 0 – 30

 

TOEFL Reading: An Overview

 

  1. Includes 2 academic passages, each approximately 700 words long.
  2. Passages are taken from university-level textbooks.
  3. Covers a variety of academic subjects.
  4. Each passage has 10 multiple-choice questions.
  5. Answers must be based only on the information given in the text.
  6. A glossary feature is provided to explain complex or uncommon words.

 

TOEFL Listening Test

 

Section Name Time for the Section Number of Questions Score Scale
Listening 36 minutes 28 0 – 30

 

Details of Listening Test

 

  1. The TOEFL Listening section evaluates your ability to understand spoken English in academic settings.
  2. It tests basic comprehension, ability to recognize the speaker’s tone and attitude, and how well you connect ideas.
  3. You will listen to 2 conversations (about 3 minutes each) with 5 questions per conversation- 10 questions.
  4. Includes 3 lectures or classroom discussions ( each 3- 5 minutes) with 6 questions per lecture- 18 questions.
  5. Note-taking is allowed, which helps you answer questions more effectively.
  6. The section mimics real university environments, ensuring the TOEFL listening test pattern reflects academic realities.

 

TOEFL Speaking Test

 

Section Name Time for the Section Number of Tasks Score Scale
Speaking 16 minutes 4 0 – 30

 

TOEFL Speaking Test- In Detail

 

  1. The TOEFL speaking section tests your ability to express ideas clearly in spoken English.
  2. You’ll begin with one independent speaking test, in which you share your opinion on a familiar topic using personal experiences and viewpoints.
  3. Tasks 2 to 4 are integrated speaking tasks, combining listening and reading skills.
  4. You get 15-30 seconds of preparation before each task, and your spoken response lasts 45-60 seconds.
  5. You will speak into a microphone, and your answers are digitally recorded for scoring.
  6. The entire TOEFL speaking test takes about 16 minutes to complete.

 

TOEFL Writing Test

 

Section Name Time for the Section Number of Tasks Score Scale
Writing 29 minutes 2 0 – 30

 

TOEFL Writing Test- In Detail

 

  1. The TOEFL Writing section assesses your academic writing skills through 2 tasks.
  2. The first is an Integrated Writing Task (20 minutes) where you read a short passage, listen to a lecture, and write a response that connects both sources.
  3. The second is an Academic Discussion Task (10 minutes) in which you express and support your opinion in an online classroom-style discussion.
  4. Responses must be typed on a computer keyboard within the allotted time.
  5. The total duration of the TOEFL Writing test is around 29 minutes.

 

TOEFL Pattern 2025: Home Edition & Test Center

 

Aspect TOEFL Home Edition (Online) TOEFL on Computer (Test Center)
Test Delivery The entire exam is taken remotely from home or any location with a stable internet connection. Taken at an official test center on a computer.
Test Environment You take the test in a quiet, private location (home or another suitable place). You take the test in a secure, monitored test center.
Test Format Computer-based format for Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Computer-based format for Reading, Listening, and Writing; Speaking test is face-to-face with an examiner.
Speaking Test Via video call with an examiner, conducted remotely. In-person with a real examiner in the test center.
Availability Available on specific dates, offering more flexibility in terms of location and scheduling. Available on fixed dates at designated test centers.
Result Availability Results are available within 6 days. Results are available within 10-13 days.
Test Duration The same as the standard TOEFL exam, 3 hours. Same duration of 3 hours.
Cost The cost is typically similar to the test center version but may vary depending on location. The cost is generally the same as the online format, though there may be slight regional differences.
Test Security Identity verification and test security measures are taken online. Requires a computer with a webcam, microphone, and a stable internet connection. In-person identity verification at the test center, strict monitoring during the test.

 

TOEFL Preparation Tips 2025

 

Preparation Aspect Details
Understand the Test Format Familiarize yourself with the TOEFL structure: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section has its own format, rules, and timing.
Practice Regularly Regular practice is essential. Take mock tests, practice speaking with a partner, and work on reading and writing under timed conditions.
Build Vocabulary Improve your English vocabulary, especially academic terms and phrases commonly used in TOEFL tasks.
Improve Time Management Practice managing your time effectively. Each section has a strict time limit, and pacing yourself is key to completing all tasks.
Seek Feedback Take practice tests and seek feedback from teachers, peers, or native speakers, especially for speaking and writing, to identify areas for improvement.

 

 

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