Test of English as a Foreign Language (iBT = Internet Based Test)
Overview
The new TOEFL iBT test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. All sectionsare taken on the same day, and the test is approximately four hours long.
Format
- Instructions for answering questions are given within each section; there is no computer tutorial.
- TOEFL iBT is not computer adaptive. Each test taker receives the same range of questions.Test takers can take notes throughout the entire test. At the end of testing, all notes are collected anddestroyed at the test center.
- For the Speaking section, test takers speak into a microphone, and their responses are digitallyrecorded and sent to the ETS Online Scoring Network.
- For the Writing section, test takers must type their responses, and their responses are sent to the ETSOnline Scoring Network.
- Human raters, trained and certified by ETS, rate the Speaking and Writing responses.
The chart below shows the range of questions and the timing for each section. The time limit for each sectionvaries according to the number of questions.
| Test Section | Number of Questions | Timing |
| Reading | 3-5 passages, 12-14 questions each | 60-100 minutes |
| Listening | 4-6 lectures, 6 questions each 2-3 conversations, 5 questions each | 60-90 minutes |
| BREAK | 10 minutes | |
| Speaking | 6 tasks: 2 independent and 4 integrated | 20 minutes |
| Writing |
1 integrated taks 1 independent task |
20 minutes 30 minutes |
Question Types:
The TOEFL iBT test features many of the question types used on the computer-based test. However, thenew questions that ask test takers to integrate (combine) two or more skills are probably the most distinguishingfeature of the new test.
Questions that assess integrated skills require test takers to:
• Read, Listen, and thenSpeak in response to a question.
• Listen, then Speak in response to a question.
• Read, Listen, then Write in response to a question.
Scoring:
Listening: 0–30
Reading: 0–30
Speaking: 0–30
Writing: 0–30
Total: 0–120
The total score is the sum of the four skill scores.These new questions measure the ability to use English to communicate effectively and succeed in anEnglish-speaking academic environment.
