TOEFL Exam Pattern: Section-wise Format and Structure
If you are planning to study abroad, the TOEFL exam is one of the most important English language tests to consider.
The updated TOEFL exam pattern is shorter, easier to follow, and widely accepted by top universities such as Harvard University, University of Oxford, and the University of Melbourne.
The test evaluates your Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing skills in just 116 minutes. Knowing the TOEFL exam pattern and duration, along with the TOEFL exam fee, helps you prepare with confidence and avoid surprises on test day.
Overview of TOEFL Exam Pattern
The TOEFL exam pattern is structured to evaluate your English proficiency across four key areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
Each section is designed to test specific skills that you will need in an academic setting.
While the exam may seem like a challenge at first, knowing the purpose of each pattern will help you approach the section with confidence and a concrete strategy.
Here's a quick breakdown of the TOEFL exam pattern to help you understand what to expect:
Section | Number of Questions | Duration (approx) | Type of Questions |
|---|---|---|---|
Reading | 20 | ~35 minutes | Reading 3 or 4 passages from the academic texts via multiple-choice questions |
Listening | 28 | ~36 minutes | Analyzing lectures, conversations, and classroom discussions via multiple-choice questions |
Speaking | 4 Tasks | ~16 minutes | Independent and Integrated Speaking Tasks to express opinions and check your command of the language |
Writing | 2 Tasks | ~29 minutes | Efficiency in writing essay responses |
Total Duration: Around 2 hours
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TOEFL Exam Pattern: Section-wise Analysis
Understanding the TOEFL exam section-wise pattern is essential for maximizing your performance and feeling prepared for each part of the test. Let's break down each section to give you a clear view of what lies ahead.
1. Reading Section
This section tests how well you understand and work with academic texts. The passages come from topics like science, history, or literature. You’ll need to find main ideas, understand key details, guess meaning, and figure out words from context.
Topics: Science, literature, history, etc.
Component | Details |
|---|---|
No. of Passages | 2 - 3 |
No. of Questions | ~20 total |
Time Limit | 35 - 50 minutes |
Question Types | Multiple-choice, vocabulary-in-context, summary |
Tip: Practice skimming and scanning texts to save time.
2. Listening Section
This section checks how well you understand spoken English in lectures and conversations. You’ll hear audio clips, then answer questions about what was said, what it means, and the main message.
Component | Details |
|---|---|
Audio Types | Lectures & conversations |
No. of Questions | ~28 |
Time Limit | 36 minutes |
Question Types | Multiple-choice questions based on listening to conversations, lectures, and discussions |
Tip: Take notes during audio clips, they’re key to answering correctly.
3. Speaking Section
Thes speaking section checks if you can speak clearly and organize your thoughts in English. You’ll answer questions by sharing your opinion or by summarizing what you read and heard.
Component | Details |
|---|---|
Number of Tasks | 4 |
Time Limit | 16 minutes |
Question Types | Independent speaking tasks (express your opinion) and integrated speaking tasks (combine listening and reading responses) |
Tip: Speak naturally and stay on topic, fluency matters more than accent.
4. Writing Section
This section tests if you can write clearly and organize your ideas. One task asks you to summarize information from reading and listening, and the other asks you to give your opinion and support it with reasons.
Component | Details |
|---|---|
Number of Tasks | 2 |
Time Limit | 29 minutes |
Question Types | Integrated writing task (combine information from a reading passage and a listening excerpt) and independent writing task (write an opinion-based essay) |
Tip: Plan your essay briefly before you start writing.
By understanding the section-wise pattern and preparing accordingly, you'll be well-equipped to navigate the test with confidence. Time management, practice, and familiarity with each section are key to performing your best and achieving the scores you need.
TOEFL Exam Scoring Pattern
The TOEFL test scoring system checks the English skills of candidates in four areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section is scored out of 30 points, and the total TOEFL score is 0-120.
Candidates can get the scores of the Speaking and Listening sections after completing the test. The official scores for all four sections come within 4 to 8 days after your test. One can check them online on the ETS account. If candidates ask for a printed score report, it will be sent to them by email around 11 days after their test date.
Your total score is the sum of all four section scores. Some universities look at your overall score, while others may ask for minimum scores in each section, so it is good to aim for a balanced performance.
The table below explains the score range of the TOEFL exam pattern for each section and the average score (mean) that most students get:
Section | Header 2 | Header 3 |
|---|---|---|
Reading | 0–30 | 20 |
Listening | 0–30 | 19 |
Speaking | 0–30 | 19 |
Writing | 0–30 | 20 |
Total Score | 0–120 | 78 |
Also Read: TOEFL Exam Results: How to Check
Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores
TOEFL test scores are accepted in over 160 countries across the world for higher studies, migration, and work opportunities. The US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland, and the UK are among the popular study abroad countries that accept TOEFL scores for international candidates. Here’s a list of top universities accepting TOEFL scores:
Harvard University
Stanford University
University of Toronto
McGill University
University of Oxford
University of Cambridge
University of Melbourne
University of Sydney
Technical University of Munich (TUM)
Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich
TOEFL Exam Fees
The test fee for TOEFL in Indian is INR 16,900. This is the mandatory fee candidates need to complete as part of the TOEFL registration. The overall fee may vary from country to country based on their currency. Some other associated TOEFL test fee include rechecking, rescheduling, cancellation, and more. As of 2025, there is no official changes on the TOEFL fees.
5 Quick Tips to Crack TOEFL
Practice with a timer, simulate real test conditions
Use official materials from ETS.org
Listen to academic podcasts or YouTube lectures
Speak aloud daily, even to yourself
Write short essays and get feedback from teachers or mentors
