The TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test
The Internet-based TOEFL¢ç (iBT) was administered for the first time in 2005. This new version
of the TOEFL¢ç replaces the earlier computer-based test (CBT) and the paper-based test (PBT).
The TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test has four sections, which assess the language skills of reading, listening, speaking,
and writing. The test is approximately four hours after the Listening section.
TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test |
SECTION |
CONTENT |
APROXIMATE TIME |
NUMBER OF QUESTIONS |
SECTION SCORE |
READING |
3-5 passages |
60-100 minutes |
36-70 |
0-30 |
LISTENING |
2-3 conversations 4-6 lectures |
60-90 minutes |
34-51 |
0-30 |
BREAK |
|
10 minutes |
|
|
SPEAKING |
2 independent tasks 4 integrated-skills tasks |
20 minutes |
6 |
0-30 |
WRITING |
1 integrated-skills task 1 independent task |
30 minutes |
2 |
0-30 |
TOTAL TEST SCORE |
0-120 |
The content of the TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test reflects the language that is used in real academic settings.
The content is based on a collection of spoken and written language that Educational Testing Service obtained
from college and university lectures, class discussions, office hours, service interactions, study groups,
textbooks, and various course materials.
The most important differences between the TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test and earlier versions of the test are:
- note taking is permitted throughout the test
- speaking skills are assessed
- some questions involve integrated skills, such as reading, listening, speaking
- knowledge of grammar is not tested separately but is tested indirectly in all sections of the test
The Speaking and Writing sections of the test include some tasks that integrate, or combine,
language skills. For example, a student might read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write or speak
in response. The integrated-skills tasks reflect how people use language in real life; thus,
they give academic programs a more realistic measure of how well prospective students will be able
to communicate in an English-speaking environment.
In each section of the test, the number of points earned is converted to a scaled section score of 0 to 30.
The four section scores are combined to obtain the total test score, which is on a scale of 0 to 120.
The TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test score report will show : a separate score of 0 to 30 for each of the four language skills
a total test score of 0 to 120
The admissions office of an educational institution will look at a student¡¯s TOEFL¢ç score to determine
if the student¡¯s English skills are adequate for enrollment in a specific program of study.
There is no single passing score for all institutions; rather, each institution or program sets
its own standards for admission. Generally, graduate programs require a higher score
than do undergraduate programs.
The scoring scale of the TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test is different from the scoring scale for the computer-based
TOEFL¢ç (CBT) or the paper-based TOEFL¢ç (PBT). The table below shows a general comparison
of the three different scales.
TOEFL¢ç Internet Based Test |
TOEFL¢ç CBT |
TOEFL¢ç PBT |
120 |
300 |
677 |
110 |
270 |
637 |
100 |
250 |
600 |
90 |
233 |
577 |
80 |
213 |
550 |
70 |
193 |
523 |
60 |
170 |
497 |
50 |
143 |
463 |
40 |
120 |
433 |