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Test prep · TOEFL

TOEFL preparation

TOEFL iBT is the major US-leaning alternative to IELTS for international university applications. Internet-based throughout (including the Speaking section), scored 0-120. Less universally accepted at UK universities than IELTS; verify against each specific course.

Quick reference

Full name
Test of English as a Foreign Language
Provider
ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Format
TOEFL iBT, internet-based, around 2 hours, taken at a test centre or at home
Sections
Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing
Scoring
0-30 per section; 0-120 total
UK university recognition
Accepted but less common than IELTS; confirm with each university individually

What TOEFL tests

Reading (about 35 minutes)

Two academic passages with multiple-choice questions covering main ideas, supporting detail, vocabulary in context, inferences, and sentence-completion summaries. Question types are varied: fact, negative-fact (which is NOT mentioned), inference, vocabulary, rhetorical purpose, and summary.

Listening (about 36 minutes)

Three to four lectures and two to three conversations from academic settings. Multiple-choice questions plus some matching and ordering. Most lectures run 3-5 minutes, and note-taking during the audio is allowed and typically essential.

Speaking (about 16 minutes)

Four tasks recorded by the student into a microphone. Task 1, Independent Speaking, asks the student to express an opinion on a familiar topic in around 45 seconds, after 15 seconds of preparation. Tasks 2-4, Integrated Speaking, ask the student to read or listen to material then summarise or respond using ideas from the source in around 60 seconds each.

Writing (about 29 minutes, two tasks)

Integrated Writing (about 20 minutes) asks the student to read a passage, listen to a related lecture, then write a 150-225 word response synthesising the two sources. Independent Writing (about 10 minutes since 2023's "Writing for an Academic Discussion" reform) asks for a response to an online-discussion-style prompt with at least 100 words; it replaced the older essay-style task.

What tutoring focuses on

Speaking under recording conditions

The single most-distinctive aspect of TOEFL. Most candidates find speaking into a microphone for 45-60 seconds harder than face-to-face conversation. Tutors drill the format with realistic timed practice: students record responses, listen back, and refine structure, pacing, and clarity.

Note-taking technique

TOEFL's Integrated tasks (Speaking 2-4 and Writing 1) all require students to capture essential information from listened or read material and use it in their response. Strong note-taking (short, structured, fast) is genuinely tutor-trainable and the differentiator between competent and high-scoring candidates.

Writing: synthesis and structure

Integrated Writing rewards students who genuinely synthesise sources rather than summarising them sequentially. Independent Writing rewards students who take a clear position and defend it with specific support. Tutors drill both structural patterns.

Reading and Listening pacing

Both sections are timed tightly. Tutors drill pacing strategies: how long to spend per question, when to skip difficult items, and how to manage the cognitive load across two hours of test material.

Choosing a TOEFL tutor

TOEFL-specialist experience matters: the test format is distinctive enough that generic English tutors often don't know what specifically scores high. Look for recent TOEFL teaching, since TOEFL has updated several times (notably the 2023 "Writing for an Academic Discussion" reform replacing the old Independent Writing essay), so tutors familiar with the current format are worth more. Ask about how the tutor delivers feedback on Speaking recordings and Writing drafts: those are the most-tutored areas. Stay realistic about score lift: TOEFL scores typically move 5-15 points with sustained 6-12 weeks of weekly tutoring, and tutors promising 30+ point lifts should be treated with caution.

Verify current details

TOEFL test format and scoring conventions periodically update. Verify against the official ETS TOEFL site before booking.

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Common questions

  • TOEFL or IELTS for UK universities? +

    IELTS is more widely accepted at UK universities and is the default English-certification for most international applicants. TOEFL is accepted at most UK universities but isn't always, and where it is, the score conversion can be unfavourable (some universities require relatively higher TOEFL scores than IELTS scores). For US university applications, TOEFL is usually the preferred test. If you're applying to a mix of UK and US universities, check each one's specific requirements before choosing which test to sit.

  • How is TOEFL different from IELTS? +

    Several differences. Format: TOEFL is internet-based throughout, including the Speaking section (you record responses to prompts on a computer), where IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a human examiner. Some students prefer the IELTS face-to-face approach; others prefer TOEFL's anonymity. Scoring: TOEFL scores 0-120 in single-point increments, where IELTS uses 0-9 bands in 0.5 increments; universities usually publish equivalent thresholds. Accent: TOEFL uses primarily American English, where IELTS uses a wider range of English accents.

  • What scores do universities require? +

    Varies by university and course. Typical UK undergraduate floor for TOEFL iBT (where accepted): 90-100 overall with no section below 21-23. Competitive courses ask 100-110. Postgraduate courses sometimes 100+ with section minimums. US universities have a wider range: 80-90 typical for less selective universities; 100+ for most flagship state universities; 105-115+ for highly selective private universities. Course-specific requirements are published on each university's international admissions page.

  • How does the Speaking section work? +

    Distinctive. The student speaks into a microphone in response to recorded prompts; their responses are recorded and graded later by ETS examiners (a mix of human and AI scoring). Four tasks: an Independent Speaking task (express an opinion on a familiar topic, about 45 seconds) and three Integrated Speaking tasks (read or listen to material, then summarise or respond, about 60 seconds each). Many candidates find the timing pressure and unfamiliarity of speaking-to-a-recording challenging, so practice under realistic conditions matters substantially.

  • How does tutoring help? +

    Three areas. Speaking practice under timed recording conditions: replicating the test format until students are comfortable with the speaking-to-a-microphone format. Writing technique: TOEFL Writing tasks reward structured argumentative responses, and tutors drill essay structure plus academic vocabulary range. Note-taking practice: TOEFL's Integrated tasks (which appear in Speaking and Writing) require students to listen to or read material then respond using ideas from it, and strong note-taking under time pressure is genuinely tutor-trainable.

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Written by Robert S. Reviewed by Fiona H. Last reviewed