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Written by James Tippett
The TOEFL is one of the world’s most popular English language tests for prospective Masters students, having been taken by around 35 million people over its 50-year history. Although the TOEFL’s origins are in America – and it’s perhaps the most widely accepted English proficiency test in North America – it’s recognised by universities and education providers across the world. The TOEFL costs around $260 USD in the UK.
Thinking of doing a Masters in an English-speaking country? Then chances are you’ll need to prove you can, well, speak English—and that’s where the TOEFL comes in. With over 35 million test-takers since its invention (presumably by someone with a fondness for acronyms and multiple-choice questions), the TOEFL is a global favourite when it comes to proving you can handle academic English without breaking into a panic every time someone says “dissertation.”
Originating in the USA, the TOEFL is especially popular with North American universities, but don’t worry—it’s accepted all over the world. And for the modest price of around $225 USD, you too can join the ranks of millions who’ve sat in a testing centre wondering if the listening section will ever end.
In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know about the TOEFL as a Masters applicant—from what the test actually involves, to how best to prepare. Whether you’re just starting to look at your options or you’ve already got flashcards taped to your mirror, we’re here to help you tackle the TOEFL with a little less stress—and maybe even a smile.
First developed in 1964, the TOEFL is currently administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), an American organisation based in Princeton, New Jersey.
The exam comes in two formats: the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) and the TOEFL paper-delivered test. The paper-delivered version is not to be confused with the paper-based test (PBT), which is no longer administered.
The TOEFL iBT is the most common format of the test, and is taken by around 97% of TOEFL users. It’s delivered via computers at thousands of authorised TOEFL centres across the world.
By contrast, the paper-delivered TOEFL is only available in locations where internet access isn’t widely available. The content of the test is based on the iBT – the only thing that differs is the way the exam is taken, and the paper-delivered version will have the same validity. You can see which type of test is delivered in your country by checking the ETS website.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | |
---|---|
Length of test | 3 hours |
Number of students | 35 million test takers to date |
Grade scale | 0-120 |
Test locations | More than 4,500 test centres in over 165 countries |
Typical cost | USD $260 |
Established | 1964 |
Like most other English language tests, the TOEFL measures your skills in listening, reading, writing and speaking. Although there are four different sections to the exam, they take an integrated approach, which means you could be tested on more than one skill during a single exercise. This method is one of the things that sets the TOEFL apart from IELTS.
The TOEFL takes place over the course of a 180-minute session (three hours):
You’ll also take a 10-minute break between the listening and speaking sections, which makes the above exam structure seem slightly less daunting!
The reading and listening parts of the TOEFL are comprised of multiple choice questions.
Each section of the TOEFL is marked out of 30, and the test as a whole is given a cumulative grade of up to 120.
You’ll be able to view your TOEFL iBT results online approximately 10 days after taking the test. If you took the paper-delivered version of the test, ETS will post your score to you and up to four institutions around five weeks after taking the exam.
English language requirements differ from university to university and from programme to programme. As a general rule, you should expect to have achieved 90 overall with a minimum of 20 for each component of the TOEFL.
Some postgraduate programmes that require a high degree of literacy – English Literature, for example – will have stricter English language requirements, and you might need a score of at least 100. Other courses, meanwhile, will accept an overall score of 80.
In any case, it’s best to confirm with your prospective institution that you meet their requirements before beginning your application.
The TOEFL is one of the most widely accepted English language tests in the world. It’s recognised by over 10,000 universities, colleges and education providers across more than 130 different countries.
Although the TOEFL is an American exam, it’s accepted by many institutions from the rest of the English-speaking world, including British, Australian, Canadian and New Zealand institutions.
There’s a well-established and wide network of authorised test centres across the world where you can take the TOEFL. There are over 4,500 locations in more than 165 countries – view the full list of TOEFL centres here. It’s offered more than 50 times a year at these locations.
You can take the TOEFL as many times as you’d like, but you can only take it once in any 12-day period.
ETS introduced a fully online version of its language exam in response to the coronavirus pandemic, known as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. This test is available worldwide, with the exception of mainland China and Iran, and can be taken 24 hours a day, four days a week. Find out more about the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
The TOEFL registration fee varies country by country, but you should expect to pay between USD $200 and USD $260.
TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. After that, they vanish into the academic void and you’ll need to retake the test if your institution or visa application requires current results.
You can retake the TOEFL as many times as you like—but you must wait at least 12 days between attempts. If your first score doesn’t quite hit the mark, don’t worry—plenty of people improve on their second or even third try.
Yes! ETS offers free sample questions, practice tests, and prep guides on their official website. There are also plenty of unofficial resources, though quality varies—some are helpful, others are best avoided unless you enjoy grammatical mysteries and rogue punctuation.
In terms of content, no—the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is identical to the version you’d take at a test centre. The only difference is that at home, your proctor is virtual and your cat might decide to walk across the keyboard mid-sentence. Institutions treat both formats equally, provided the test was taken under approved conditions.
This is the language learner’s equivalent of asking whether cats are better than dogs—it depends on your strengths. TOEFL is entirely computer-based and uses an integrated skills approach, while IELTS includes face-to-face speaking and a mix of question formats. Neither is universally “easier,” but one may suit your learning style more than the other.
Want to know more about the alternatives to the TOEFL? Our guide to English language tests covers IELTS, Cambridge Assessment English exams and PTE Academic.
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