TOEFL Exam 2023: Eligibility, Pattern, Syllabus, Dates, Fee, and Latest Updates

Latest Updates: The TOEFL Go App, introduced by ETS, aims to enhance the exam experience for students. It offers a convenient way for test takers to prepare for the TOEFL IBT test on the go, and it's completely free. The app provides digital practice, performance feedback, AI-powered scoring, coaching, tips, and high-level sample responses for a more comprehensive preparation. Candidates may access the app on the official website. 

TOEFL Exam 2023: The Test of English as a Foreign Language is a proficiency test used to evaluate the English fluency skills of applicants. TOEFL is designed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) which offered two exam types: TOEFL IBT and Essentials. Apart from the scores of aptitude tests like the GRE,  many schools also demand a language test score as an admission requirement. The TOEFL test can be used to enter a foreign country for study or work purposes.

Both TOEFL IBT and Essentials measure the English reading, speaking, writing, and listening skills of candidates. The TOEFL exam score is accepted by 11500 universities and institutions at a global level. To be exact, the exam is recognized in more than 160 counties. Candidates can prove their command of the language by getting a strong score on the exam and get admitted into institutes and organizations abroad.

Also Check: TOEFL Registration

The exam is accepted by 100% of schools in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK. The test is also preferred by 9 out of 10 colleges in the United States of America. Moreover, it is also recognized by top European and Asian institutes. Continue reading to know TOEFL exam details including the TOEFL login process, TOEFL exam syllabus and more. 

TOEFL Exam 2023 

Latest Updates: The exam conducting body will introduce a new exam pattern on July 26th 2023. Simply put, there will be enhancements in the existing TOEFL IBT exam format, one of them being a shortened duration for the exam. Currently, the exam is for 3 hours, but with the new pattern, the exam will now take less than 2 hours to complete. There will be a shorter reading section and the Writing for an Academic Discussion section will face alterations. Moreover, all unscored test sections will be removed. Consequently, the registration process will be simpler along with increased score transparency. Test takers who have already enrolled for a TOEFL iBT exam have the choice to reschedule their exam slots before these changes take effect. There are no fees for rescheduling until April 30, 2023.

Check: TOEFL Pattern

Moreover, with the launch of the new format, the TOEFL exam fee is expected to get costlier. More details will be updated here once the exam changes have been incorporated.

Till July 2023, the former exam format will continue.

Candidates can check some facts about TOEFL in the table below-

Difference Between TOEFL IBT and Essentials

As stated above, ETS provides students with two exam options which are TOEFL Essentials and IBT. Both tests are accepted by many universities, although, it is advisable to check the admission requirement of the target colleges and register for the exam type accordingly. The purpose of the exams is to examine how fluent applicants are in the English Language, the only difference is in the test content and syllabus of the tests. Check below to know the differences between the two tests.

TOEFL Eligibility 2023

ETS has not specified any criteria for taking the TOEFL exam. Candidates of all ages and educational levels from non-English speaking countries are eligible to take the exam. Moreover, the number of times a person may take the exam is not restricted. Students may retake the test as many times as necessary to achieve the desired result.

Upper Age Limit: There is no maximum age limit to appear for TOEFL. Applicants from all age groups give the test every year. Older students or even working professionals having worked in the industry for various years also register for the test. Hence, there is no specified upper age limit.

Lower Age Limit: The minimum age requirement to take the TOEFL is 18. However, students under the age of 18 who want to take the test can do so with their guardians' approval and consent.

Qualification: The minimum educational qualification to take the exam is the completion of the 10+2 curriculum. Candidates who intend to take the exam must have completed high school (up to grade 12) from a board that has been approved by the government. This means that first-year college students can also sign up and take the TOEFL exam.

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TOEFL Exam 2023: Test Formats

The exam is offered in various formats. Students should conduct their research to determine which testing mode would be the most appropriate and suitable for them. For instance, if an applicant is more comfortable with pen-paper mode instead of a computer-delivered mode, they should register for the paper edition of the test. Following are the test formats for the exam offered by ETS-

• TOEFL IBT At Test Center
• TOEFL IBT Home Edition
• TOEFL IBT Paper Edition
• TOEFL Essentials At Home

TOEFL Exam Registration 2023

To register for TOEFL, applicants must visit the official website of ETS and select the “Register/Find Test Centers and Dates” option. But before doing so, they will be required to sign up and make a valid account or ETS ID.  The detailed step-by-step instructions on how to register for the TOEFL exam are mentioned below.

• Make a valid ETS account
• Select TOEFL to be the preferred exam
• Choose the “Register/Find Test Centers and Dates” option
• Choose between TOEFL IBT and Essentials
• Choose between giving the exam at a centre or at home and on paper or on a computer. Note- Essentials test will only be conducted at home.
• Review the provided and selected information 
• Pay the TOEFL registration fee

TOEFL Exam Slot Booking 2023

The steps provided below should be followed by candidates to successfully book a TOEFL slot:

• Register for the TOEFL test by making an ETS account
• Choose the preferred test type and mode
• Select the appropriate TOEFL Test Center and Date 
• Pay the Fee
• Carefully read the confirmation mail
• The slot would have been successfully booked

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TOEFL Exam Dates 2023

TOEFL does not have any official or set exam dates. Throughout the year, depending on the student's progress and the availability of exam slots, the test may be taken. The TOEFL exam is given up to six days a week at authorized test centres all over the world. In addition, they can check their ETS account to see the available test dates. However, not all exam dates are available in every location.

Students can check the available dates for their preferred test type and mode by going to the official website. There, when they get on to book an exam slot, they will be provided with all the available TOEFL dates in the selected location and centre.

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TOEFL Exam 2023: How Is It Scored?

The score band for the TOEFL exam is as follows:

TOEFL Exam 2023: Required Documents

Students are asked to provide official documents to prove their identity when they register for the TOEFL test. The same documents will have to be carried out by the student on the day of the test. Failing to do so will result in disqualification and students will not be allowed to take the exam. Indian students will need to have the following documents to register for the test successfully-

• A valid passport containing the name, signature, and photograph of the candidate
• ETS is now accepting the Aadhaar Card as a primary ID for students in India till further notice.

All the documents should be updated, original, and issued by the Government of India. Please note that photocopied and digital IDs will not be accepted. 

TOEFL Exam Fee 2023

Apart from the TOEFL registration fee, students are also required to pay a certain fee if they wish to reschedule their slots or book a new slot for a re-test. Moreover, they will also be asked to pay an amount if they wish to view the detailed score reports. Although, for Indian students, the fee is subject to change according to the exchange rates.

TOEFL Exam Pattern 2023

Just like many other proficiency tests, the TOEFL exam measures the English reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills of applicants. The detailed pattern of TOEFL IBT and Essentials is provided below for the reference of interested applicants.

TOEFL IBT Pattern

TOEFL Essentials Pattern 2023

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TOEFL Exam Syllabus 2023

As stated earlier in the article, the TOEFL IBT and Essentials will test applicants on their ability to read, write, speak, and listen to the English language. 

The Types of questions that will be asked in the TOEFL IBT exam will include:

• Reading: Factual and negative factual information, Inference and Rhetorical Purpose, Sentence Simplification, Reading Vocabulary, Insert Text questions
• Listening: Gist Content and Gist Purpose, Detail and Function, Attitude and Organizations, Connecting Content, Inference
• Writing: Integrated Writing and Independent Writing
• Speaking: Independent Speaking and Integrated Speaking

TOEFL Exam Preparation Tips 2023

Those planning to take the test might question how to prepare for it effectively and constructively. Actively studying for the exam without adhering to advice that has previously produced positive outcomes may lead to poor results. Here are some suggestions for TOEFL preparation that candidates should put into action.

• Know the exam content and structure well
• Solve TOEFL Practice tests and sample questions
• Improve language skills by consuming content and communicating in English
• Improve Time management skills
• Follow a study routine ad build strategies
• Choosing the right study material
• Practice section-wise skills

TOEFL Exam Books 2023

Students can obtain the kind of preparation that maximizes results only when they use the right set of TOEFL books and study material. To study for the TOEFL exam, it is advised that applicants choose books that have been successful for past test-takers. Additionally, it is advised that students do their own research and assess the best books for them depending on their individual strengths and weaknesses.

Moreover, there are various study materials provided by the exam makers themselves. Students can check some of them on the official website. These include-

TOEFL Exam Result 2023

Unlike many exams, the TOEFL result is provided to applicants just a few days after they take for the test. The availability of results depends on the exam type the student appeared for and the mode of the same exam.