TOEFL Exam 2023: Fees, Syllabus and everything You Need to Know
- Koyelia Raha
- Oct 5, 2023
- 11 min read
Updated: Mar 11, 2024
This is a thorough guide to the 2023 TOEFL. Whether you're considering TOEFL iBT, Home Edition, or Paper, this blog covers their goals, formats, registration methods, and recent advancements. Knowing TOEFL's importance is vital for overseas students seeking admission to English-speaking universities. It often determines admissions and English proficiency waivers. We'll explore TOEFL and its effects on your education.
Table of Contents
TOEFL Exam Formats
All four language skills are tested on the most popular TOEFL Internet-Based Test (iBT) at approved testing centres.
Testers can take the TOEFL iBT Home Edition at home. Real-person online proctoring ensures exam integrity.
The Indian paper-based TOEFL requires in-person reading, listening, and writing. Remote proctoring is utilised for home speaking.
Benefits of Taking the TOEFL Exam
Study Abroad: The TOEFL score is often required when applying to colleges and institutions in the English-speaking world.
Scholarships: Financial aid Various schools provide financial aid depending on TOEFL results.
Visa Application: Students and workers benefit from having high TOEFL scores when applying for visas.
Accurate Assessment: The test is a reliable indicator of the examinee's proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening.
Global Acceptance: Over 11,000 schools across the globe recognise TOEFL as a valid language proficiency evaluation.
Registration and Latest Updates:
Registration Options: You may register for the TOEFL exam in person at an authorised testing centre, over the phone, in the mail, or via the Internet. Late registration ends four days before the test date and costs an extra price. Online registration concludes seven days before the exam.
TOEFL Exam Fee in India: The cost of the TOEFL Exam in India is 16,900 INR for all three TOEFL exam types.
Aadhar Card Acceptance: ETS now recognises the Aadhar card as an acceptable form of identification for Indian TOEFL test takers.
TOEFL Essential Test: The TOEFL Essential Test, a condensed but rigorous version of the exam, has been made accessible by ETS as of August 21, 2021.
TOEFL PBT (Paper-Delivered) Test: The Paper-Delivered TOEFL (PBT) will be phased out on April 11, 2021, although results will be honoured for a full two years following the test date.
TOEFL Exam Cost:
₹ 16,900 for Indian Students
Previously, the TOEFL examination cost was only listed on the ETS website in US Dollars. The ETS website now displays the TOEFL test cost and other expenses in Indian Rupees for the convenience of Indian visitors. According to the ETS website, the current cost of the TOEFL test is 16,900 INR. Find out all you need to know about TOEFL iBT prices and other costs down below:
TOEFL iBT test fees | India Price (INR) |
Registration for TOEFL iBT | ₹16,900 INR |
Late Registration | ₹3,900 INR |
Test Rescheduling | ₹5,900 INR |
Reinstatement of Canceled Scores | ₹1,990 INR |
Additional Score Reports | ₹1,950 INR |
Speaking or Writing Section Score Review | ₹7,900 INR |
Payment Return | ₹2,900 INR |
Changes to the TOEFL Exam Format and Time Allotted (Starting August 1, 2019)
On August 1, 2019, ETS substantially changed the TOEFL exam format. The former three-hour-and-thirty-minute test time has been shortened to three hours. The format has three parts: reading/listening/speaking. The "MyBest Score" function, introduced by ETS, enables applicants to submit their highest sectional and overall TOEFL results over the last two years.
Enhancements to the TOEFL Exam (July 2023)
Shortened Exam Pattern: ETS has significantly simplified the TOEFL test format, decreasing the time to slightly under 2 hours, effective July 26, 2023. Due to this modification, applicants should have a more streamlined and concentrated testing experience.
Revised Exam Fee: As of the same day, the TOEFL cost has increased from US$190 to US$195. Candidates taking the TOEFL iBT should take note of this modification.
25% Off Offer with GRE Exam Registration: Those who sign up for the GRE General Test and the TOEFL iBT via ETS by December 31, 2018, will get a 25% discount. To help those looking for low-priced testing choices, we are offering a special discount of 25% (US$48) off the registration fee for the TOEFL iBT exam.
Resumption of TOEFL Test on Paper (December 2021): Due to demand, the paper-based TOEFL will return on December 11, 2021. Candidates can take the TOEFL's reading, listening, and writing in a test centre and the speaking exam at home over three days. A live proctor watches your online speaking session. This $195 USD option enables customization without losing rigour.
Acceptance of Aadhar Card and Launch of TOEFL Essentials Test
Aadhar Card as ID: Beginning on July 1, 2021, ETS will accept Aadhar Cards as a temporary form of identity for Indian students taking the TOEFL, enabling individuals without passports to enrol.
TOEFL Essentials Test: The TOEFL Essentials Test, scheduled for release on August 21, 2021, is designed to help students cope with the difficulties they may face as a result of the pandemic. It's a better choice than the increasingly common low-quality exams made possible by test-optional regulations.
TOEFL at Home
To help combat the current COVID-19 epidemic, ETS released the TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition exam. Candidates may take the exam in the comfort of their own homes, away from any potential dangers, and in accordance with any travel restrictions or testing centre closures. However, in order to register for this option, applicants must have certain pieces of technology.
Exam Name | TOEFL |
TOEFL full form | Test of English as a Foreign Language |
Official Website | |
Conducting Body | ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
Widely popular as | English language proficiency test |
Generally accepted by | Universities in the USA and Canada |
Mode of exam | TOEFL iBT: Internet-based test, TOEFL Test on Paper and TOEFL at Home test |
TOEFL Exam Fees | ₹16,900 INR |
Score Range | Reading: 0–30 Listening: 0–30 Speaking: 0–30 Writing: 0–30 |
TOEFL Helpline | 1-609-771-7100, 1-877-863-3546 |
Fax | 1-610-290-8972 |
Types of TOEFL Exams
TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test): The exam of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) iBT (Internet-Based Test) is the most widely used format and is an online exam that evaluates the test taker's ability to read, listen, speak, and write in English. It may be taken at any of the thousands of approved testing centres located in over 130 countries.
TOEFL Test on Paper: ETS has restored the paper based TOEFL exam in several regions. The candidate takes the exam in a testing centre and completes the reading, listening, and writing components there; the speaking section is taken at home and overseen by a proctor online.
TOEFL Home Edition: The TOEFL Home Edition was developed in the wake of the COVID-19 outbreak so that students may take the test without worrying about bringing the virus into a testing centre. It's proctored like the TOEFL iBT but in a similar structure.
TOEFL Eligibility:
Age Requirements: ETS has not imposed any strict age requirements on TOEFL test takers.
Education Qualifications: While there are no hard and fast academic requirements set by ETS, prospective students should preferably have finished their 10+2 education from a recognised board in order to be considered for enrollment at an overseas institution. This satisfies the prerequisites for taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language and also meets the standards for admission to institutions.
TOEFL Cancellation/Rescheduling
The TOEFL exam may be postponed or rescheduled up to four days in advance by the candidate.
Candidates may cancel or reschedule their exams by calling the Regional Registration Centre (India: 91-124-4147700) or via their online ETS account.
No requests for reschedules will be accepted through postal service, electronic mail, or at the testing centre.
To reschedule your TOEFL test, you'll need to pay US$60.
TOEFL Exam Dates 2023
Candidates have a lot of options for when to take the TOEFL exam throughout the year since it is given many times. Schedule your exam so that you will get your results in plenty of time to submit them with your applications. If, for example, your application is due in November, you should try to schedule your TOEFL exam for October at the latest. If necessary, you will have three days to prepare for and take the test again within this window of time.
TOEFL Test Centres in India
The TOEFL iBT is offered in 39 different places throughout India. Some examples of such locations include Ahmedabad, New Delhi, Hyderabad, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata, among many more. TOEFL iBT testing facilities are spread out around the globe to accommodate students from all over the world. Make sure your selected exam day and hour are available at the testing venue closest to you.
TOEFL Home Edition
ETS developed the TOEFL Home Edition in response to the COVID-19 outbreak and to provide applicants with more options. Candidates may now choose to take the TOEFL test in the convenience of their own homes using this option. The TOEFL Home Edition is administered in the same way as the TOEFL iBT but without the presence of a live proctor.
There are four unique parts of the TOEFL test that all count towards your final score: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. If you use TOEFL sample tests on a regular basis, your results will improve. The overall score may be anywhere from 0 to 120 points, with individual part scores ranging from 0 to 30. Within six days after the test date, results will be posted online. In addition, ETS will send up to four certified score reports directly to the student's preferred schools.
Section | TOEFL Exam Pattern | Description |
TOEFL Reading Section | Duration: 35 minutes Questions: 20 | Read passages and respond to questions. |
TOEFL Listening Section | Duration: 36 minutes Questions: 28 | Answer questions regarding brief lectures and classroom discussions. |
TOEFL Speaking Section | Duration: 16 minutes Questions: 4 tasks | Talk about a suitable topic and discuss material you heard or read. |
TOEFL Writing Section | Duration: 29 minutes Questions: 2 tasks | Read a topic, listen to a recording, and type your response. Mention and support one opinion in the discussion of online classroom. |
Total Sessions: 4 | Total Duration: 116 minutes | |
TOEFL Exam Syllabus:
Reading:
Two sections, each about 700 words long, are followed by 10 questions in the TOEFL Reading Section. It takes roughly 35 minutes to finish the Reading part. Correctly answering questions testing reading comprehension is the basis for scoring in this section.
Question Type:
2 passages, 10 questions each
Total Number of Questions: 20
Total Time: 35 minutes
Listening:
Each lecture on the TOEFL Listening Section lasts between three and five minutes, and there are six questions associated with it. In addition, there are two dialogues, each of which lasts three minutes and consists of five questions. Take notes on audio things throughout the exam to better prepare for questions. The Listening part may be finished in around 36 minutes.
Question Types:
a) 3 Lectures (3-5 minutes each, about 500-800 words), 6 questions each (Total: 18)
b) 2 Conversations (about 3 minutes each, around 12-25 exchanges), 5 questions each (Total: 10)
Total Number of Questions: 28
Total Time: 36 minutes
Speaking:
To do well in the Speaking Section, you need to provide answers that directly address the assignment with few or no mistakes. Examiners look for coherent and extended discourse. Grading in this category takes into account presentation, language usage, and expansion of theme.
Question Types:
a) 1 independent task (preparation time: 15 - 30 sec; response time: 45 or 60 sec)
b) 3 integrated tasks – Read/Listen/Speak (preparation time: 15 - 30 sec; response time: 45 or 60 sec)
Total Number of Questions: 4
Total Time: 16 minutes
Writing:
Candidates need to demonstrate their ability to write effectively on two separate essay subjects for the Writing portion. The best answers are those that are thoroughly thought out, carefully constructed, and backed up by valid reasoning. High-quality writing is characterised by several qualities: unity, progression, coherence, syntactic variation, and suitable word choice.
Question Types:
a) 1 Integrated task – Read/Listen/Write (20 minutes) (reading time: 3 min; listening time: 2 min; writing: 15 min)
b) 1 Writing for an Academic Discussion task (10 minutes)
Total Number of Questions: 2
Total Time: 30 minutes
TOEFL Scores 2023
After finishing the TOEFL exam, test takers get instant access to their preliminary Reading and Listening results. Candidates are notified via email once their official TOEFL results have been posted online. It usually takes around six days after taking the TOEFL for the full result to become available. Results for the TOEFL Home Edition are normally made available between 6 and 10 days after the exam has been taken. If you requested a print copy of your score report before the exam, you should expect to get it in the mail between 11 and 14 days following the exam date, depending on the speed of your postal service.
Calculation of TOEFL Scores
In order to offer a thorough assessment of test takers' ability, TOEFL scores are calculated utilising both human raters and automatic scoring systems. Although automated grading is objective, it may not provide a complete evaluation of linguistic efficacy and content. Ideas, content quality, and shape are only a few of the other criteria that human raters take into account. It is recommended that candidates try at least one question in each of the four areas (reading, listening, writing, and speaking). The results of the TOEFL iBT are given as a total score on one of four scales.
Determining a Good TOEFL Score
There is no hard and fast rule for what constitutes a good or poor TOEFL score. Each college has its own minimum score requirement. Admission chances improve for students with test results beyond a particular threshold, but lower scores might pose obstacles. ETS assigns a competency level from 4 to 5 to each ability, with the higher levels indicating more mastery.
Please refer to the table below for an in-depth analysis of TOEFL iBT results.
Skill/ Score Range | Level* |
Reading Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (18–23) Low-Intermediate (4–17) Below Low-Intermediate (0–3) |
Listening Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (22–30) High-Intermediate (17–21) Low-Intermediate (9–16) Below Low-Intermediate (0–8) |
Speaking Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (25–30) High-Intermediate (20–24) Low-Intermediate (16–19) Basic (10–15) Below Basic (0–9) |
Writing Score Range 0–30 | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (17–23) Low-Intermediate (13–16) Basic (7–12) Below Basic (0–6) |
Total Score | These are added together for a total score of 0–120. |
Accessing TOEFL Scores
Your TOEFL results are easily accessible. You will get an email about six days following your test date informing you that your results are ready for viewing. After signing into your TOEFL account on the main page, choose the 'View Scores' link to see how you did. Scores for the TOEFL Home Edition may be accessed between 6 and 10 days from the date of testing.
Official Score Reports Availability
Within 11 days after the test date, depending on local postal services, you will get a printed copy of your score report if you requested one before the exam. The two years after you take the TOEFL are not wasted. The PDF version of your score report is also available in your ETS account for download and printing. Within eight days of finishing the exam, a PDF report with your results may be retrieved.
Validity of TOEFL Scores
Scores on the TOEFL are valid for two years after they are reported. Retakes are unlimited if you are not happy with your first set of results. However, there is a 3-day waiting period between repeat attempts. If you take a test today, your follow-up visit must be scheduled for at least three days later.
Passing Score for the TOEFL
The TOEFL does not need a certain score in order to pass. Score ranges and minimum needed scores are determined on a school-by-school basis. There is no set minimum score required to pass the TOEFL test; rather, each school sets their own standards based on its own circumstances. The minimum required score varies widely across schools and majors. Keep up with the latest information by regularly visiting each school's website.
Reporting Your TOEFL Score to Colleges and Other Situations
As part of the registration process, participants may designate up to four people to receive their official score reports. These results are typically sent 11 days following the date of the test. Extra copies of your scores may be sent to you for a small cost.
Order Online: You may send Extra Score Reports online by placing an order and paying the applicable fees. With the TOEFL Value Pack, you may submit up to five Additional Score Reports at a discounted rate. Depending on whatever value bundle you choose, you may save a lot of money when submitting your results to ETS.
Fax in your order: Complete the "Request for TOEFL Internet-Based Test Score Report" form on the ETS website. Send your completed application and payment information to 1-610-290-8972 via fax.
Countries Accepting TOEFL Score 2023
Nearly 11,000 universities in 150 countries accept TOEFL scores, including those in the US, UK, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, and Canada. Immigration services in English-speaking countries analyse employment and resident visa applications using TOEFL. No consistent cutoff means any score that gets you into your dream school is good. Individual programmes minimum score standards should be checked.
TOEFL Exam Day Tips
For your TOEFL exam day, consider these tips:
Carry a valid passport as your sole accepted ID.
Ensure the passport is original, valid, and bears your full name, photo, and signature.
No other personal items are allowed inside the test centre apart from the ID.
Personal items may be inspected or confiscated.
Conclusion
Finally, this comprehensive 2023 TOEFL guide includes formats, registration, and modifications. International students seeking admission to English-speaking universities must grasp TOEFL's role in admissions and English proficiency exemptions. TOEFL iBT, Home Edition, and Paper-based examinations, scholarships, and visa applications are covered. This information covers eligibility, cancellation, exam dates, Indian test centres, and scoring. These recommendations will prepare you for the TOEFL, accepted by over 11,000 universities.
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