Updated TOEFL iBT Format and Scoring Guide

How a test flows

Every test follows the same five steps.

1 · Start the test
Open a test, enter your name (or log in), and read the short overview of the sections you'll take.
2 · Equipment check
If the test includes Listening or Speaking, you'll check your sound and microphone first. Reading- or Writing-only tests skip this.
3 · Section directions
Before each section, a directions screen explains the task types, the rules, and the timing. The timer starts only when you press Begin.
4 · Take the sections
Work through each section in order. Your progress is saved automatically, so a refresh won't lose your answers.
5 · Get your results
Reading and Listening are scored instantly. Speaking and Writing are graded by AI with the same detailed feedback on both plans. A free account includes 2 AI-marked attempts per month on each free test; Premium removes that limit.

How scoring works

Every section is reported on the 1–6 scale publicly described for the updated TOEFL iBT test, and your overall result is the average of the sections you took. Practice results are educational estimates and are not official ETS scores.

Reading and Listening are scored automatically. Because they are adaptive, your first-module performance shapes the difficulty and content of the second module.

Speaking and Writing are assessed using AI-assisted scoring criteria designed around publicly available task descriptions and language-performance guidance. Your spoken answers are transcribed first, then assessed on how fully and clearly you respond.

The scoring system is independently developed and has not been reviewed, approved or validated by ETS.

Scoring explained in detail

Every AI-marked Speaking and Writing attempt includes highlighted strengths and issues, explanations, and specific suggestions for raising your band. A free account includes 2 AI-marked attempts per month on each free test. Premium unlocks the full scored-exam library and removes that monthly limit.

Reading

Adaptive

Texts from everyday life and academic passages

You read short practical texts and longer academic passages and answer questions about them. Reading is adaptive: everyone takes a first module, and your answers there decide whether the second module is the easier or harder set.

How Reading is scored, module by module →

Complete the Words

10 gaps

A short paragraph with the first sentence intact, then missing word-endings to type in. Tests high-frequency academic vocabulary and spelling.

On screen you'll see

“Type the missing letters to complete each word.”

Example

“The museum is open to the p____.” → you type the rest to make “public”.

Read in Daily Life

5 questions

Everyday texts — an email, notice, advertisement, schedule, menu, or forum post — with 2–3 questions each.

On screen you'll see

“Read the text and answer the questions.”

Example

An email announcing a changed class time, followed by “What should students do before Friday?”

Read an Academic Passage

5 questions

A ~150–250-word passage on history, science, social science, business, or the arts, with 5 questions.

On screen you'll see

“Read the passage and answer the questions.”

Example

A 200-word passage on how volcanoes form, with 5 multiple-choice questions about main idea and detail.

Rules

You may go Back and change answers within a module.
Once you start the second module you cannot return to the first.
A countdown timer is shown for the whole section.

Tips

✓Answer the easy gaps and questions first, then return to the hard ones.
✓For Complete-the-Words, read the whole sentence — context and grammar tell you the ending.
✓Don't leave blanks: there is no penalty for guessing.

Listening

Adaptive

Conversations, announcements, and academic talks

You listen to short conversations, announcements, and talks, then answer questions. Like Reading, Listening is adaptive — your first-module answers route you to an easier or harder second module.

How Listening is scored →

Choose a Response

8 questions

You hear one spoken line and pick the most natural reply. The line itself is not written on screen.

On screen you'll see

“Listen to the speaker, then choose the best response.”

Example

You hear: “Could you tell me where the library is?” → choose “Sure — it’s just past the cafeteria.”

Conversation

4 questions

A two-speaker campus or daily-life dialogue, with 2 questions. Accents vary (US, UK, Australian, New Zealand).

On screen you'll see

“Listen to the conversation, then answer the questions.”

Example

A student and an advisor discuss changing a class — “Why does the student want to switch?”

Announcement

4 questions

A single-speaker message — a classroom, club, or campus-radio announcement — with 2 questions.

On screen you'll see

“Listen to the announcement, then answer the questions.”

Example

A library announces new weekend hours — “When does the library now close on Saturdays?”

Academic Talk

4 questions

A short lecture-style monologue with 4 questions, on the same academic topics as the reading.

On screen you'll see

“Listen to the talk, then answer the questions.”

Example

A short talk on bird migration, with questions on the main idea and the professor’s examples.

Rules

Each audio plays once — there is no replay.
You cannot return to a previous audio.
The questions appear after the audio finishes.

Tips

✓Use headphones in a quiet room.
✓Listen for the main idea first, then the details and the speaker's attitude.
✓Take quick mental notes of names, numbers, and reasons.

Writing

Sentence building plus two short pieces of writing

Writing has three task types: a set of Build-a-Sentence items, one email, and one academic-discussion post. The Build-a-Sentence items are objective; the email and discussion are graded on how well you communicate.

How Writing is scored, and the task worth half the section →

Build a Sentence

10 items

Click word tiles into the correct order to form a grammatical reply. The end punctuation is already in place, some items add an extra tile you should not use, and some pre-place a word or two as anchors.

On screen you'll see

“Move the words to form a grammatical sentence that is an appropriate reply.”

Example

“What was the highlight of your trip?” → “The tour guides who showed us around the old city were fantastic.”

Write an Email

1 task

Read a situation and write an email that addresses three specific points in the right tone (formal, semi-formal, or informal). There is no required word count; develop each point clearly.

On screen you'll see

“Read the scenario, then write an email that does all three things listed. Write in complete sentences.”

Example

A poetry magazine asked for submissions but the form failed — say what you like about it, describe the problem, and ask if your work arrived.

Write for an Academic Discussion

1 task

Read a professor's question and two classmates' posts, then add your own clear, supported opinion. ETS guidance suggests at least about 100 words.

On screen you'll see

“Read the professor's question and the two student posts, then post your own opinion in your own words (at least 100 words).”

Example

Professor: “Should high-school students be required to do volunteer work?” Two students disagree — you take and support a clear position.

Rules

All Build-a-Sentence items share one timer (about 6 minutes for the group).
The email and the discussion each have their own timer.
Writing does not need a microphone — you only type.

Tips

✓For Build-a-Sentence, read the first line, then build the natural reply; check whether the item gives you an extra tile before you assume one is spare.
✓In the email, cover every bullet point and match the requested tone.
✓In the discussion, state your opinion clearly, give a reason, and develop it with an example or detail; you can respond to a classmate's point or add your own.

Speaking

Repeat sentences and answer an interviewer

Speaking has two task types. You repeat sentences you hear, then you answer an interviewer's questions in your own words. Recording starts automatically — there is no preparation time.

How Speaking is scored, score by score →

Listen and Repeat

7 sentences

You hear a sentence and repeat it exactly after the beep. The sentences get a little longer as you go.

On screen you'll see

“Listen to each sentence, then repeat it exactly after the beep. You hear each sentence only once.”

Example

You hear: “We have a variety of wildlife.” → you say the same sentence back, clearly.

Take an Interview

4 questions

An interviewer asks you questions on one everyday topic, moving from facts to opinions to a broader trade-off. You have 45 seconds to answer each question.

On screen you'll see

“Answer the interviewer's questions in your own words. 45 seconds each, with no preparation time.”

Example

“Think back to the last city you visited. Why did you travel there, and what did you like about it?”

Rules

There is no preparation time; recording starts automatically.
Listen and Repeat plays a beep before you speak; the interview does NOT — watch for the on-screen “Speak now” cue, designed to resemble the publicly described test flow.
Listen and Repeat shows no text — repeat from memory.
During the interview a short prompt of the question stays on screen while you answer.

Tips

✓Speak clearly at a natural pace — don't rush.
✓For the interview, give a direct answer first, then one or two reasons or an example.
✓Use the whole response time; a fuller answer scores better than a one-liner.

Kinds of test on this site

Full tests

All four sections in one sitting, scored end-to-end - the closest to test day.

Sectional tests

A single skill (Reading, Listening, Writing, or Speaking) when you want focused practice.

Drills by task type

Practise one task type on its own - for example just Build a Sentence, or just Take an Interview.

Before you begin — quick checklist

✓A quiet room with no interruptions
✓Headphones for Listening and Speaking
✓A working microphone for Speaking
✓A recent browser (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, or Opera)
✓Allow microphone access when asked
✓Enough time to finish the section without pausing

How to take the test

How a test flows

How scoring works

Reading

Complete the Words

Read in Daily Life

Read an Academic Passage

Listening

Choose a Response

Conversation

Announcement

Academic Talk

Writing

Build a Sentence

Write an Email

Write for an Academic Discussion

Speaking

Listen and Repeat

Take an Interview

Kinds of test on this site

Before you begin — quick checklist