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The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardized test. It measures the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. Many English-speaking universities and colleges require it for admission. This is particularly true in the United States, Canada, and other English-speaking countries.

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TOEFL Overview

• Administered By: ETS (Educational Testing Service).
• Duration: Approximately 3 hours (with an additional 10-minute break).
• Scoring:
  • Total Score: 0–120.
  • Each section is scored from 0–30.
  • Sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

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TOEFL Syllabus

The TOEFL test consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. These sections assess a range of skills. These skills are necessary for success in an academic setting that uses English as the primary language of instruction.

1. Reading Section

• Duration: 54–72 minutes
• Questions: 36–56
• Focus:
  • Understand academic texts from a variety of subjects.
  • Identify key ideas, themes, and details.
  • Make inferences and understand relationships between ideas.
• Skills Tested:
  • Reading comprehension.
  • Understanding vocabulary in context.
  • Analyzing passage structure.

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2. Listening Section

• Duration: 41–57 minutes
• Questions: 34–51
• Focus:
  • Listen to conversations and lectures in academic settings.
  • Answer questions about main ideas, details, and inferences.
• Skills Tested:
  • Understanding spoken English in academic contexts.
  • Identifying tone, purpose, and relationships between ideas.

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3. Speaking Section

• Duration: 17 minutes
• Questions: 4
• Focus:
  • Respond to questions based on reading and listening passages.
  • Express opinions on familiar topics.
• Skills Tested:
  • Pronunciation, fluency, and coherence.
  • Ability to speak clearly and organize ideas.

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4. Writing Section

• Duration: 50 minutes
• Questions: 2
• Focus:
  1. Integrated Writing Task: Write an essay based on a reading passage and a listening excerpt.
  2. Independent Writing Task: Write an essay on a familiar topic expressing your opinion or providing an argument.
• Skills Tested:
  • Ability to organize ideas.
  • Ability to support opinions with reasons and examples.
  • Writing coherence, grammar, and vocabulary.

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TOEFL Exam Pattern

Section	Number of Questions	Time Allocated
Reading	36–56	54–72 minutes
Listening	34–51	41–57 minutes
Speaking	4 Tasks	17 minutes
Writing	2 Tasks	50 minutes
Total	4 Sections	~3 hours

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TOEFL Scoring

• Total Score: 0–120, based on the sum of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing).
• Section Scores: Each section is scored from 0 to 30.
• Skills Assessed:
  • Reading: Ability to understand academic texts.
  • Listening: Ability to understand spoken English in academic contexts.
  • Speaking: Ability to express opinions and ideas clearly.
  • Writing: Ability to construct coherent and well-organized essays.

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Preparation Tips for TOEFL

1. Understand the Format: Familiarize yourself with the structure of each section and practice with sample questions.
2. Improve Vocabulary: Focus on understanding academic vocabulary, especially in reading and listening sections.
3. Practice Listening: Listen to academic lectures, podcasts, and TED Talks to improve your listening skills.
4. Take Practice Tests: Use official TOEFL practice tests from ETS to assess your performance and identify areas for improvement.
5. Work on Speaking Fluency: Record yourself speaking on various topics to improve clarity and fluency.
6. Essay Writing: Practice writing essays on a variety of topics to improve organization and grammar.

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TOEFL Test Centers and Dates

• The TOEFL is available year-round at authorized test centers worldwide.
• You can register for the TOEFL online through the official ETS website and choose a test center near you.

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TOEFL vs IELTS

Both the TOEFL and IELTS are commonly accepted by universities, but they differ in format:

• TOEFL: Primarily a computer-based test.
• IELTS: Has both a computer-based and paper-based version, and includes a face-to-face speaking interview.

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