If you're planning to study in an English-speaking country, the TOEFL exam is one of the most widely accepted English proficiency tests you can take.
As of 2025, the TOEFL exam pattern has been updated to become shorter and more student-friendly. The current format takes approximately 116 minutes to complete and evaluates your academic English skills through four key sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
The TOEFL testnow includes 48 questions and 6 tasks, making it more time-efficient while still effectively assessing your readiness for university-level coursework. The results are available in just 4 to 8 days, and ETS automatically sends your scores to up to four universities of your choice at no additional cost.
In this article, we break down the complete TOEFL exam pattern 2025 including the updated section-wise format, question types, TOEFL score range, and tips to help you prepare confidently.
The TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025 evaluates the English skills of test-takers in four main components: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The total duration of the test is around 116 minutes.
Each section has its own time limit and question type. This test is mainly for students who want to study in English-speaking countries.
In the Reading section, you will get 20 questions and 35 minutes to read and answer.
The Listening section gives you 28 questions to answer in 36 minutes. You will listen to conversations and lectures.
In the TOEFL Speaking section, you have to complete 4 tasks in just 16 minutes. You will speak about topics after reading or listening.
The Writing section includes 2 tasks and lasts for 29 minutes. You need to write short essays based on what you read or heard.
This new TOEFL pattern 2025 is comparatively shorter than the previous test format. This shorter format helps test-takers reduce stress and better scores.
The test is conducted by the ETS through an online computer format. Make sure to practice each section well to get a good TOEFL score.
TOEFL Syllabus
The TOEFL syllabus assesses how well you can use and understand English in academic settings. The test has four parts: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Here’s a detailed discussion on each test section:
TOEFL Reading Syllabus
In the TOEFL Reading section, you will get 2 reading passages, each about 700 words long. There are 10 questions for each passage. The questions are based on how well you understand the meaning, vocabulary, and main ideas in the text.
Number of passages: 2
Questions per passage: 10
Total questions: 20
Time to complete: 35 minutes
Scoring: Based on correct answers
TOEFL Listening Syllabus
In the Listening section, you will hear 3 lectures and 2 conversations. The lectures are longer and may sound like a real classroom. The conversations are between two people, like a student and a teacher. You can take notes while listening.
Conversations: 2 (each about 3 minutes), 5 questions per convo - 10 questions
Total questions: 28
Time to complete: 36 minutes
TOEFL Speaking Syllabus
The TOEFL Speaking section tests how well you can speak English clearly and to the point. There are 4 tasks in total, 1 independent and 3 integrated. You need to speak after reading or listening, and your answers are scored based on delivery, language use, and topic development.
Independent Task: 1 task
Prep time: 15–30 seconds
Response time: 45 or 60 seconds
Integrated Tasks: 3 tasks (Read/Listen/Speak)
Prep time: 15–30 seconds
Response time: 45 or 60 seconds
Total questions: 4
Time to complete: 16 minutes
TOEFL Writing Syllabus
The TOEFL Writing section checks how well you can write in English using ideas from reading and listening, and how you express your own views. There are 2 tasks: one is Integrated Writing, and the second is Academic Discussion Writing.
Integrated Task (Read/Listen/Write):
Reading: 3 minutes
Listening: 2 minutes
Writing time: 15 minutes
Writing for an Academic Discussion:
Time: 10 minutes
Total tasks: 2
Time to complete: 30 minutes
The TOEFL exam syllabus is designed to test real-life English skills that you will need in universities abroad.
The TOEFL exam has four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, and each section has different types of questions.
1. TOEFL Reading Question Types
In the Reading section, you read passages and answer questions based on what you read. These questions check your understanding of the meaning, main idea, and vocabulary.
Question types include:
Factual Information – Pick answers based on facts in the text
Negative Factual Information – Find which info is not in the text
Inference – Guess the meaning or what the writer wants to say
Vocabulary – Choose meaning of words from the passage
Sentence Simplification – Pick the easier version of a sentence
Insert Text – Decide where a sentence fits best in the passage
Prose Summary – Choose 3 correct main points from options
2. TOEFL Listening Question Types
In the Listening section, test-takers listen to lectures and conversations, and then answer questions. These test the ability to understand main ideas, details, speaker’s attitude, and more.
Question types include:
Gist-Content – What is the main point of the lecture or talk?
Gist-Purpose – Why is the conversation or lecture happening?
Detail Questions – Ask for specific facts mentioned
Understanding Function – What is the speaker trying to do?
Understanding Attitude – What does the speaker feel or think?
Organization Questions – How is the talk or lecture arranged?
Connecting Content – How ideas in the talk are related
Inference Questions – What can you guess from the conversation?
3. TOEFL Speaking Question Types
In the Speaking section, candidates will answer 4 types of questions about a topic, or after reading/listening to something.
Question types include:
Independent Speaking Task – Talk about your own ideas or opinion
Integrated Task 1 – Read and then listen, then speak
Integrated Task 2 – Listen to a conversation or lecture, then speak
Integrated Task 3 – Read, listen, and speak about the topic
4. TOEFL Writing Question Types
The Writing section has 2 main tasks:
Integrated Writing Task – First read a passage, then listen to a related audio, and then write a response that connects both
Academic Discussion Task – Write your opinion or view on a classroom topic in discussion format
The TOEFL test scoring system checks the English skills of candidates in four areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section is scored out of 30 points, and the total TOEFL score is 0-120.
Candidates can get the scores of the Speaking and Listening sections after completing the test. The official scores for all four sections come within 4 to 8 days after your test. One can check them online on the ETS account. If candidates ask for a printed score report, it will be sent to them by email around 11 days after their test date.
Your total score is the sum of all four section scores. Some universities look at your overall score, while others may ask for minimum scores in each section, so it is good to aim for a balanced performance.
The table below explains the TOEFL score range for each section and the average score (mean) that most students get:
TOEFL test scores are accepted in over 160 countries across the world for higher studies, migration, and work opportunities. The US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland, and the UK are among the popular study abroad countries that accept TOEFL scores for international candidates. Here’s a list of top universities accepting TOEFL scores:
The test fee for TOEFL in Indian is INR 16,900. This is the mandatory fee candidates need to complete as part of the TOEFL registration. The overall fee may vary from country to country based on their currency. Some other associated TOEFL test fee include rechecking, rescheduling, cancellation, and more. As of 2025, there is no official changes on the TOEFL fees.
How to Prepare for the TOEFL Exam: Step-by-Step Guide
Getting ready for the TOEFL exam needs some planning and smart work. The test checks your skills in English reading, writing, listening, and speaking, so you must practice each part properly.
Understand the TOEFL exam pattern: There are 4 parts: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Familiarity with the test pattern can be helpful for a further preparation plan.
Take a practice test first: Give one full TOEFL practice test to see your level. It helps you know where you are strong and where you need more work.
Make a study plan: Based on your weak areas, make a daily or weekly plan.
Improve vocabulary and grammar: For better TOEFL scores, having a strong English vocabulary and grammar is very important. Read newspapers, English blogs, or storybooks. Try to write small paragraphs daily to build writing habits.
Practice English every day: Listen to English podcasts or watch English movies. Speak in English with your friends or even talk to yourself if no one is around. Daily practice helps in improving TOEFL speaking and listening scores.
Join a TOEFL coaching or online class: If you feel you can’t do it alone, go for a good TOEFL coaching center or join an online TOEFL course.
Give regular mock tests: Don’t just study, but also test yourself regularly. This helps build speed and confidence for the real test day.
Work on your time management: Each part of the TOEFL test is timed, so you must learn to finish questions on time without rushing.
Sleep and stay relaxed before the exam: Don’t study too much the day before the test. Get proper rest and go with a calm mind.
Understanding the TOEFL exam pattern is a critical first step in your study abroad journey. With the 2025 update, the test is now more streamlined, helping students focus on real academic skills without unnecessary length.
From the revised number of questions to quicker results and section-specific strategies, being familiar with the format can significantly boost your confidence and scores.
If you’re aiming for top universities, start by analyzing the TOEFL structure in depth, solve official practice tests, and work consistently on your weak areas.
A clear grasp of the TOEFL exam pattern not only helps you perform better but also prepares you to adapt quickly in an English-speaking academic environment. Get personalized prep plans, connect with upGrad experts.
FAQs
Has the TOEFL exam pattern changed in 2025?
The TOEFL exam was updated in 2023 and remains the same in 2025. The total test duration is now approximately 116 minutes, making it more streamlined. Changes include a shorter Reading section and removal of unscored questions.
Is there a break during the TOEFL test?
No, there is no scheduled break in the new TOEFL exam pattern. Candidates are advised to prepare accordingly, as the test is now shorter than before.
Can I skip questions and return later in the TOEFL exam?
Yes, in the Reading and Listening sections, you can skip questions and come back within the section's time limit. However, this flexibility is not available in Speaking or Writing sections.
Are TOEFL Speaking and Writing sections computer-evaluated?
TOEFL uses both AI-based scoring and human raters for Speaking and Writing. This dual-scoring method ensures accuracy and fairness in evaluating language proficiency.
What kind of accents are used in TOEFL Listening and Speaking sections?
TOEFL features a variety of English accents, including American, British, Australian, and New Zealand, to reflect the global university environment.
Is handwriting required in the TOEFL Writing section?
No, the TOEFL is fully computer-based. All Writing tasks must be typed using a QWERTY keyboard on the test computer.
Can I use a pen and paper during the TOEFL exam?
Yes, test centers usually provide scratch paper for note-taking during the exam. However, it must be returned at the end of the test.
Is the TOEFL exam harder due to its shorter format?
Not necessarily. While the test is now shorter, the question difficulty and evaluation standards remain the same. With focused preparation, students often find the shorter format more manageable.
Which top universities accept TOEFL scores?
Many top universities take TOEFL scores, like:
Harvard
Stanford
Oxford
University of Toronto
Melbourne University, and more in 160+ countries.
What is the TOEFL exam fee in India?
The TOEFL fee in India is INR 16,900. Other charges may come if you want to reschedule or cancel your test.
upGrad abroad Editorial Team |2862 articles published
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