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The TOEFL exam pattern followed in Nepal aligns with the globally administered TOEFL iBT structure issued by ETS. The test format has been revised in recent years to reduce total duration while preserving section weightage, task design, and scoring reliability.
A major update was applied to TOEFL scoring from January 2026. Score reports now include a 1–6 scale (in 0.5 increments) that aligns more directly with the CEFR framework. Until January 2028, candidates will also receive the old 0–120 score, where each skill carries a maximum of 30 points. Institutions may reference either scale depending on their admission policies.
The TOEFL iBT is evaluated through a centralized scoring system, not at test centers. Objective sections (Reading and Listening) use automated scoring, while productive skills (Writing & Speaking) are assessed by trained human raters supported by AI-based consistency checks.
TOEFL iBT Exam Pattern and Question Types
The table shows the question types, number of questions, and the allocated time for each of the four sections in a TOEFL iBT test.
| Section | Task Type | Number of Items | Time |
| Listening | Listening & choosing a response Listening to:
| 47 | 29 minutes |
| Reading | Completing the Words Reading in Daily Life Reading an Academic Passage | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Writing | Building a Sentence Writing an Email Writing for an Academic Discussion | 12 | 23 minutes |
| Speaking | Listening & Repeating Interviewing | 11 | 8 minutes |
How Long Does a TOEFL iBT Exam Take?
A TOEFL iBT test lasts approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes. Each of the 4 sections is allocated the following times:
- Reading: 30 minutes
- Listening: 29 minutes
- Speaking: 8 minutes
- Writing: 23 minutes
The official test timer starts after you complete the headset and microphone check. Once you approve this system check, the exam starts and cannot be paused, so it is crucial to adjust audio input and speaking volume beforehand.
TOEFL iBT Reading Question Pattern
The TOEFL iBT Reading section measures how accurately you can understand written English used in both everyday and academic contexts. The section takes 30 minutes and includes questions drawn from multiple short texts and academic passages. All responses are objectively scored.
TOEFL Reading task types:
- Complete the Words: You are given a text with incomplete words, and you must fill in the gaps to complete all words so that the sentences read correctly and naturally.
- Read in Daily Life: A short everyday text, such as a notice, message, email, or instruction, is given. After reading it, you answer questions by selecting the correct option based on the information shown in the text.
- Read an Academic Passage: You are given a longer academic text similar to a university reading passage. Multiple questions follow, and you answer them by selecting responses related to different parts of the passage.
To improve your reading score, read the questions before you read the academic texts and find the purpose of each paragraph. Doing these will help you focus on relevant sections and avoid getting lost in the minor details.
Scoring Criteria for TOEFL iBT Reading
- Each correct answer adds to the section score.
- Incorrect answers are not penalized (No negative marking).
- All questions are weighted equally.
TOEFL iBT Writing Question Pattern
The TOEFL iBT Writing section consists of 3 distinct tasks presented on the computer and is completed in 23 minutes. All responses are typed using a keyboard, and tasks appear in a fixed order. This section evaluates sentence construction, formal email writing, and academic discussion.
TOEFL Writing task types:
- Build a Sentence: You are shown 9 sentences, one at a time, with the words displayed in an incorrect order. For each sentence, you must click and drag the words to arrange them into a correct sentence. Some prompts are statements, while others are questions. You need to reorder 5 to 7 words per sentence. This task takes about 6 minutes.
- Write an Email: You are given a campus or social situation and asked to write an email related to that scenario. The task specifies 3 required points that must be included in your response. You must type a complete email that addresses all required elements within about 7 minutes.
- Write for an Academic Discussion: You see a question posted by a professor on a class discussion board, along with 2 student responses. Your task is to add your own written contribution to the discussion by responding to the question and engaging with the ideas already presented. You have 10 minutes to read the prompt and write your response.
When writing for an academic discussion, it is recommended that you write 120 to 140 words.
Scoring Criteria for TOEFL iBT Writing
- Responses are evaluated across tasks, not in isolation.
- Grammar, vocabulary, and clarity are assessed consistently.
- Task completion and relevance to the prompt are required.
Scores are assigned on a 0–30 scale, with all writing tasks contributing equally.
TOEFL iBT Listening Question Pattern
The TOEFL iBT Listening section is divided into two modules and completed in about 29 minutes. All audio is played once, and questions must be answered while listening or immediately after each audio segment. The section includes both scored and unscored questions, which are not identified during the test.
2 modules of the new Listening section structure are:
- Routing Module: This is the first and longest module and is the same for all test takers. Performance in this module determines which second module you receive.
- Second Module (Adaptive): Based on your performance in the routing module, you are directed to either an easy module or a hard module. Test takers who answer 60% of the routing module questions correctly move to the hard module.
The easy module includes: choose a response, conversations, and announcements. Academic talks are not included. The hard module includes fewer “choose a response” items, followed by conversations, announcements, and academic discussions.
A timer on the screen shows the remaining time for each module, and all questions must be answered within the given time.
TOEFL Listening Question Types
Choose a Response
You hear a short sentence in conversational English. After listening, you select the most appropriate response from 4 written options. The original sentence is audio-only and cannot be replayed.
Listen to a Conversation
You listen to a short conversation between 2 speakers discussing a daily-life or campus-related situation. After the audio ends, you answer 2 questions based on what was said.
Listen to an Announcement
You hear a campus-related announcement describing events, services, or schedule changes. This task is followed by 2 questions related to the main idea and a specific detail.
Listen to an Academic Talk
You listen to a short academic lecture lasting about 90 seconds. Afterward, you answer multiple questions related to different parts of the talk, including its main point, supporting ideas, and concluding information.
How Adaptive Listening Affects Your Score
The Listening section uses a multistage adaptive design developed by ETS.
- Receiving the hard module allows access to higher-level score ranges, while the easy module limits access to the highest proficiency bands. For example, good performance leads you to C2 level questions and scores, whereas weaker performance may limit your questions and final score to B1 level.
- Final Listening scores are calculated using both modules, considering the number of correct answers and the difficulty level of the questions.
- ETS applies IRT true score equating so that reported scores represent the same ability level in both modules and test versions.
The adaptive module not only changes difficulty but also changes how your Listening ability is measured and scored.
Scoring Criteria for TOEFL iBT Listening
- Each correct answer contributes to the section score.
- Incorrect answers are not penalized.
- All scored questions are weighted appropriately across modules.
TOEFL iBT Speaking Question Pattern
The TOEFL iBT Speaking section is the final section of the test and takes 8 minutes to complete. It contains 11 questions and is delivered entirely on a computer using a headset and microphone. All prompts are audio-based, responses are recorded automatically, and you must speak immediately after each prompt with no preparation time.
The 11 questions of the TOEFL Speaking section can be classified into two types.
Listen and Repeat
You hear 7 spoken sentences, one at a time, related to a campus or daily-life situation. After each sentence ends, you must repeat the sentence exactly as you heard it. The sentences increase gradually in length and complexity.
Take an Interview
You take part in a simulated interview consisting of 4 spoken questions. After you hear a question, you must begin speaking immediately. You have 45 seconds per question to respond. Your answer should present your opinions, preferences, or responses to hypothetical situations naturally, as if you are speaking to a real person.
All speaking questions follow a fixed timing system. Once the response time ends, the recording stops automatically, and the test moves forward.
Scoring Criteria for TOEFL iBT Speaking
- Ability to express ideas clearly and coherently
- Natural presentation of opinions, preferences, and viewpoints
- Logical response to hypothetical situations
- Overall clarity and fluency of spoken responses
How Is the TOEFL Score Calculated?
The TOEFL iBT was previously reported on a 0–120 scale, with each skill scored out of 30. Under the new TOEFL format introduced in January 2026, scores are now reported on a 1–6 band scale, in 0.5 increments.
However, for a 2-year transition period ending in January 2028, candidates receive both score formats on their score report. This is to help institutions use the old scoring system as a reference until they adapt. All four skills are equally weighted, meaning each section contributes equally to the final score.
TOEFL Score Comparison: New 1–6 Scale vs Previous 0–120 Scale
The 1–6 scoring system is the primary score used going forward. The table below shows how the new 1-6 TOEFL iBT scores align with the old 0-120 scale:
| TOEFL Band (1–6) | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing | Total Score |
| 6.0 | 29–30 | 28–30 | 28–30 | 29–30 | 114-120 |
| 5.5 | 27–28 | 26–27 | 27 | 27–28 | 107+ |
| 5.0 | 24–26 | 22–25 | 25–26 | 24–26 | 95+ |
| 4.5 | 22–23 | 20–21 | 23–24 | 21–23 | 86+ |
| 4.0 | 18–21 | 17–19 | 20–22 | 17–20 | 72+ |
| 3.5 | 12–17 | 13–16 | 18–19 | 15–16 | 58+ |
| 3.0 | 6–11 | 9–12 | 16–17 | 13–14 | 44+ |
| 2.5 | 4–5 | 6–8 | 13–15 | 11–12 | 34+ |
| 2.0 | 3 | 4–5 | 10–12 | 7–10 | 24+ |
| 1.5 | 2 | 2–3 | 5–9 | 3–6 | 12+ |
| 1.0 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–4 | 0–2 | 0+ |
How Are Human and AI Scores Combined in TOEFL?
TOEFL iBT’s Reading and Listening sections are scored automatically based on correct answers. These sections do not involve human judgment and are processed entirely through automated systems.
Speaking and writing responses, on the other hand, are evaluated by trained human raters, with AI-based scoring technology supporting the process. Automated systems are used to monitor scoring consistency and quality, while human raters assess language use across responses.
What does my TOEFL Score Mean?
The table below shows how TOEFL iBT band scores align with CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) proficiency levels.
| TOEFL iBT Score | CEFR | What It Indicates |
| 6.0 | C2 | Near-native academic English level with full command of complex language |
| 5.0 – 5.5 | C1 | Advanced academic proficiency with effective and flexible university-level English |
| 4.0 – 4.5 | B2 | Upper-intermediate academic English level that can handle most study-related tasks |
| 3.0 – 3.5 | B1 | An intermediate English level that allows basic academic communication with limitations |
| 2.0 – 2.5 | A2 | Elementary English level with an understanding of simple, familiar content |
| 1.0 – 1.5 | A1 | Beginner level with very limited functional English |
iBT TOEFL VS IELTS score conversion
The table below provides an approximate comparison between TOEFL iBT scores (0–120 scale) and IELTS band scores, according to IDP IELTS comparison.
| TOEFL Score (0-120) | IELTS Band Score (0-9.0) |
| 118–120 | 9.0 |
| 115–117 | 8.5 |
| 110–114 | 8.0 |
| 102–109 | 7.5 |
| 94–101 | 7.0 |
| 79–93 | 6.5 |
| 60–78 | 6.0 |
| 46–59 | 5.5 |
| 35–45 | 5.0 |
| 32–34 | 4.5 |
| 0–31 | 0–4.0 |
