TOEFL iBT Format
It is important to become familiar with the TOEFL iBT format if you wish to score well on the test. Even those with strong English skills will greatly benefit from proper preparation. The TOEFL iBT is broken into four sections:
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
Each section presents a unique set of question types and challenges. This page covers the basics of each section.
Reading Section
The reading section will have 3 to 5 passages, roughly 700 words each, and up to 14 questions for each passage. You will have from 60 to 100 minutes to complete the entire section.
The reading section mainly tests three skills:
- Your ability to comprehend the given facts and information.
- Your ability to recognize implied ideas that are not explicitly stated.
- Your ability to understand how a passage is constructed and how statements and ideas in the passage relate to one another.
You will not need specific prior knowledge to answer the questions, all the pertinent information will be included in the passages. For TOEFL iBT reading practice, check out the page on TOEFL preparation books.
Listening Section
The listening section consists of roughly 5 lectures and 2 to 3 conversations that last approximately 5 minutes each, with 5 or 6 questions per lecture or conversation. You will have 60 to 90 minutes to complete the entire section.
The material in the lectures and conversations is meant to accurately mimic the types of speech you would encounter in an academic setting such as an MBA program, be it in class or around a university campus. Following the lectures and conversations, you will need to answer a series of multiple choice questions, as well as respond to an audio question. The questions come in several different forms, testing your ability to comprehend the:
- Content and purpose of the audio material.
- Attitude and inflection of the speaker.
- Organization of the audio passage.
Speaking Section
The speaking section consists of 6 questions. The whole section will take approximately 20 minutes. The purpose of this section is to:
- Evaluate your ability to communicate efficiently in English.
- Test your ability to employ multiple English skills at once.
Out of the six questions, 2 of them will give a topic and require you to formulate your answer based on your own opinions and experiences. The remaining 4 questions will test your ability to use multiple English skills at once. For instance, you may need to listen, read and speak all in one question.
Writing Section
The writing section contains 2 questions. The first question requires you to summarize and relate the main points between 2 passages- one that you listen to, and one that you read. The second question requires you to express an answer on a given topic based on your own opinions and experiences. You will have 50 minutes overall, 20 minutes for the first question, and 30 minutes for the second.
The writing section tests your ability to:
- Comprehend and efficiently communicate information you have listened to and read.
- Develop well thought out ideas and communicate them clearly.
As you can see, it is essential to become familiar with the TOEFL iBT format. Proper preparation is a key factor in developing the ability to recognize a question type and answer it efficiently. Furthermore, it will help you develop the timing necessary to finish the test in the alloted time frame. Using the right preparation materials is very important. To learn about material that gives an in depth look at the TOEFL iBT format and essential test taking strategies, click here. Like the many other important steps in the MBA admissions process, the TOEFL requires careful preparation and study.