TOEFL to be shortened by 1 hour from July: Check all details here

June 14, 2023

Introduction

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an English-language test for non-native speakers who want to study at an English-speaking university. It’s a computer-based test that measures your ability to use and understand written and spoken English. The TOEFL IBT (Internet-based test) is offered at more than 1,000 sites in 140 countries around the world. As part of their application process, students may be required by the university they are applying to take the TOEFL or another English language proficiency exam like IELTS or PTE Academic.

TOEFL Exam syllabus

The different formats of the TOEFL Test include TOEFL ITP, TOEFL PBT, and TOEFL IBT. Every test is made up of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The TOEFL Reading test measures your ability to understand the academic text. It includes questions on a variety of topics and also asks you to interpret charts, graphs, and other visuals. You will have 35 minutes to answer 60 questions in this section.

TOEFL test pattern as per new changes

The new TOEFL test pattern and format are as follows:
• The reading section will be 30 minutes long, with 40 questions to answer.
• The listening section will be 55 minutes long, with 60 questions to answer.
• The speaking section will last 20 minutes and consist of two tasks that each take 10 minutes to complete in total;
• one task involves a conversation with an interviewer and another task involves responding to an informal talk by someone else (no direct interaction with the interviewer).
• You’ll have 15 seconds per question in each part of the speaking section–so if you’re asked three questions at once, they’ll all appear on screen at once but your time won’t run out until after 15 seconds have elapsed since you first clicked on any one of them (so if you click on question 1 right away then start reading through it quickly before clicking onto question 2…your clock won’t start ticking down until after 15 seconds pass).

TOEFL Test to complete in 2 hours debuting 2023

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an international standardized test that measures the ability to use and understand English. The TOEFL iBT test will be launched in July this year and it will help students score well on their exams by mastering all four skills – reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

(Read More: How to select the right TOEFL training classes?)

The new TOEFL IBT exam has some major changes including:

• New test format: It will have multiple choice questions instead of essay writing which was there earlier;
• New structure: There are 4 sections instead of 2 sections (Reading Comprehension & Structure/Writing Skills) like before;
• Time duration: The total duration of your exam should not exceed 120 minutes including breaks between sections or parts of an exam such as reading passages etc.;
• New length: The reading section will be more than 100 questions compared to 60-80 questions earlier;
• New topics: There will be all new topics in each of the four skills, i.e. reading, listening, speaking, and writing with a focus on academic content;
• No guessing answers: You cannot guess the answer anymore because there are no longer any fill-in-the-blanks or multiple-choice options with just one correct answer option. Instead, you will have to select the correct answer choice from a list of two or more options.
You need to use your knowledge and understanding of English grammar and vocabulary to select the correct answer choice. You will have a total of 60 seconds for each question which is very less time compared to previous versions but there are no penalty points if you get an answer wrong.

TOEFL preparation Tips to Ace the test

  1. Do lots of practice tests: The best way to prepare for the TOEFL is to take as many practice tests as possible. You can find hundreds of free TOEFL practice tests online which simulate the real test experience and help you gain confidence when taking the actual test.
  2. Get a good night’s sleep: Your health is very important when preparing for the TOEFL. Try to get a full 8 hours of sleep every night so that you don’t feel tired during the exam.
  3. Take a break: You should not study for more than an hour at a time. The human brain can only focus for so long before it needs some rest. Taking breaks will help you stay focused and give you the energy to continue studying later on in the day.
  4. Don’t get discouraged: If you don’t do well on your first TOEFL practice test, that doesn’t mean you won’t be able to pass the real test. Keep practicing and studying and you will improve over time.
    (Read More: How long is TOEFL score valid?)
  5. Stay healthy: If you eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water, your mind will be more alert during the exam. Avoid caffeine and sugar, These will make you feel jittery and anxious, which is not what you want when taking a test!
  6. Listen to music: Listening to music while studying can help keep your mind awake and focused. Try listening to your favorite songs or an album that you haven’t heard in a long time.
  7. If you have a few minutes to spare, try taking a short break from studying. Go outside if possible—the fresh air will help clear your mind and make it easier to concentrate later on.
  8. If you’re feeling tired, take a nap. A short power nap can help refresh your mind and make it easier to concentrate when you wake up again. Keep your environment clean: It’s easy for clutter to build up around us, but keeping a clean workspace can help keep your mind focused on studying.

Conclusion

The TOEFL IBT exam is an English language test that allows students to study in the United States and other countries. Join TOEFL classes to learn the concepts better. The TOEFL IBT test is computer-based and consists of four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Students who have taken the exam say it’s stressful but also a good way to prepare for life as an international student.