Changes in the TOEFL Exam: Duration Reduced | Check Registration Process and Preparation Tips
Each year, millions of students from India attempt to enroll in higher education courses abroad, often taking the TOEFL while still in their final year of their bachelor’s degree programs.
Importance of English Language Skills
Universities in the U.S., UK, and Australia, which Indian students are particularly interested in, rigorously assess English language proficiency before granting admissions. They consider TOEFL and IELTS scores as standard measures. Therefore, students aiming for higher education abroad must strive to achieve the best possible scores on the TOEFL.
Recognized by Over 13,000 Institutions
More than 13,000 institutions worldwide, including those in the U.S., accept TOEFL scores. Despite academic merits, language skills are prioritized, making the TOEFL score essential for students studying abroad. Recently, the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which administers the TOEFL, introduced a new, simplified exam format.
TOEFL Exam Duration Reduced
The duration of the TOEFL exam has been reduced to two hours. Previously, the exam was conducted over three hours across four sections: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. The new format requires completion within two hours.
Reading Section
The Reading section consists of 20 questions from two passages, with a time limit of 35 minutes.
Listening Section
The Listening section includes 28 questions based on three or four lectures (six questions each) and two or three conversations (five questions each). Candidates have 36 minutes to answer.
Speaking Section
This section includes four tasks: Independent Task 1 and Integrated Speaking Tasks 2, 3, and 4, with a total time of 16 minutes for candidates to discuss a given topic.
Writing Section
The Writing section consists of two tasks: Task 1 is an Integrated Writing Task, and Task 2 is an Academic Writing Discussion Task, with 29 minutes allocated for each task.
New Task: Writing for an Academic Discussion
A new task called “Writing for an Academic Discussion” has been introduced. Candidates will read a question provided online and review responses from two other students before crafting their own response, incorporating their opinions.
Immediate Score Access
In the new TOEFL format, candidates can view their official scores immediately after completing the exam, eliminating the wait for results from ETS. The exam will also provide real-time updates and online assistance during the test.
Key Information about New TOEFL
- Two-hour exam duration.
- New task in the Writing section: Writing for an Academic Discussion.
- Immediate access to scores after the exam.
- Payment options available in local currency (rupees).
- Opportunity to take the exam throughout the year.
- A minimum gap of 12 days is required between sessions.
- Scores above 90 are typically required for admission to top institutions.
Preparing for TOEFL Success
Reading
Candidates will encounter academic passages and must answer questions based on them. The goal is to assess whether candidates can comprehend university-level academics. Regular reading of relevant textbooks is essential.
Listening
This section involves listening to audio from classroom discussions, lectures, or conversations, followed by questions. To excel, candidates should engage with English news channels and discussions to enhance their language skills.
Writing
Candidates will write essays based on topics encountered in the Reading and Listening sections.
Speaking
Similar to the Writing section, candidates will express their opinions on topics from the Reading and Listening sections or new subjects.
TOEFL Registration Process
Candidates can register online for the TOEFL exam at any time. The exam is conducted throughout the year on scheduled dates, with no limits on attempts. However, candidates must wait at least 12 days between attempts. It is advisable to take the TOEFL well in advance of the admission session to achieve the best score possible, ideally aiming for a strong performance on the second attempt. Even if candidates take multiple attempts, admission committees will closely evaluate their English language skills.