TOEFL Exam 2025: Eligibility, Registration, Fees, Dates, Preparation, Result & Score

TOEFL Exam: The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized assessment designed to evaluate the English proficiency of non-native speakers who wish to take admission in universities where English is the primary language of instruction. The test is recognized by more than 11,000 universities and public institutions in over 190 countries and territories.

The TOEFL is among the prominent English language tests globally, including the IELTS, Pearson Test of English (PTE), Duolingo English Test, and Cambridge Assessment English examinations.

Students who want to study abroad, looking for immigration and others can take TOEFL test in India. TOEFL iBT is one of the most popular English proficiency tests accepted in all universities in the US, Canada, UK, Germany, Australia, Ireland and many other countries. The ETS TOEFL examination assesses all four essential academic English skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

Students eligible to appear for the TOEFL test can take either TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) or TOEFL Home Edition as per their convenience. And the total duration of the TOEFL exam is 116 minutes.

TOEFL test dates are available throughout the year at various testing centres nationwide. The TOEFL iBT 2025 is conducted over 170 times annually at test centers. Additionally, TOEFL at-home test dates are accessible 24 hours a day, four days a week. It is advisable for candidates to select and schedule their TOEFL test at least two to three months before to their admission deadline to prevent any inconvenience issues. The TOEFL test fee in India for 2025 is set at Rs 16,900. Test scores will be available in the ETS login account within 4 to 8 days after the test date.

TOEFL iBT Exam: Key Highlights

What is the format?

The TOEFL exam can be taken in one of two formats – the paper-based test (PBT) or the internet-based test (IBT) or online test. The internet-based test or online test is quite common now, as traditionally, the paper-based test has been phased out. Both PBT and IBT versions are taken at test centers, with candidates evaluated in four areas:

i) Reading Comprehension (60-80 minutes): You will be given three or four paragraphs, totalling approximately 700 words, taken from academic texts. Next, you will have to answer 12-14 questions related to each paragraph, which will assess your understanding of what you have read.

ii) Listening assessment (60-90 minutes): You will listen to four to six lectures (some may include classroom discussions), each lasting three to five minutes. In addition, you will hear two or three classroom conversations, each lasting three minutes. For each recording, you will answer five or six questions to assess your understanding of the presented material.

iii) Speaking (20 minutes): This section has six tasks. In the first two tasks, you will be asked to express your opinions on a general or familiar topic. In the last four tasks, you will need to respond to the reading or listening materials provided during the test.

iv) Writing (50 minutes): You will be assigned two tasks: one integrated task and one independent task. In the integrated task, you will first read a paragraph on an academic topic and then listen to a speaker who is discussing the same topic. Subsequently, you will write a summary that integrates key points from both the paragraph and the speaker's presentation. In the independent task, you will write a brief essay response to a question on a general topic. Your score will be based on your ability to express, explain, and support your ideas effectively.

The internet-based or online TOEFL exam takes about four and a half hours to complete, with a 10-minute break at the midpoint. The paper-based version is an hour shorter.

+ TOEFL iBT is accepted by more than 13,000 universities and institutions in over 160 countries, including major destinations such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and across Europe and Asia.

+ In the United States, 9 out of 10 universities prefer TOEFL iBT over other English-language tests.

In Australia and New Zealand, 100% of universities and colleges accept TOEFL scores.

+ In the UK, TOEFL iBT scores are accepted by 100% of institutions.

+ In France and Germany, it is the most preferred English-language test, with more scores sent to universities than any other test.

Good TOEFL scores for colleges

The founder of International College Counselors says that a score above 100 is considered "a good score that will meet the English proficiency requirements of most US colleges."