TOEFL Exam 2025: Complete Guide for Indian Students
Test of English as a Foreign Language by ETS
Test of English as a Foreign Language by ETS
TOEFL full form is Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). It is a standardized test that measures English proficiency for non-native speakers. TOEFL exam is widely accepted by universities as one of their admission criteria for academic programs and professional courses. The test is developed and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). We will discuss the overview of the TOEFL exam in 6 sections:
Now, let us understand these important aspects of TOEFL exam.
The table below shows important details about the TOEFL exam.
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
|
Purpose |
Evaluates your English proficiency for academic and professional courses. |
|
Administered by |
ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
|
Acceptance |
Accepted by more than 13,000 institutions in 200+ countries. |
|
Test Duration |
Around 2 hours (for TOEFL iBT). |
|
Test Formats |
Available at test centres or online at home. |
|
Registration |
Online through the ETS website. Choose a date 2-3 months before deadlines. |
|
Fees |
Varies by location. Extra charges apply for rescheduling or additional score reports. |
Let us understand various types of TOEFL exam from the table below:
| TOEFL Exam Type | Description |
|---|---|
|
TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) |
Conducted online at test centers or at home. Has four sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. |
|
TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test) |
Previously available in areas without internet access. It had Reading, Writing, and Listening sections (No Speaking). Discontinued on April 11, 2022. Scores are valid for two years. |
|
TOEFL Essentials |
A shorter version of TOEFL iBT (1.5 hours). Includes an optional Personal Statement video, which is not scored but helps institutions know the candidate better. Can be taken at home. |
|
TOEFL Primary |
For young learners (ages 8+) to build foundational English skills. |
|
TOEFL Junior |
For students aged 11+ to evaluate their academic English proficiency. |
|
TOEFL ITP |
For students aged 16+ for institutions to evaluate academic English levels. |
The TOEFL exam online is the most commonly taken version. Below are its sections and timings:
| Section | Time | Number of Questions / Tasks | What It Tests |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Reading |
35 min |
20 questions |
Understanding academic texts. |
|
Listening |
36 min |
28 questions |
Understanding lectures and conversations. |
|
Speaking |
16 min |
4 tasks |
Clear and effective communication. |
|
Writing |
29 min |
2 tasks |
Organized and structured responses. |
The TOEFL Test on Paper was an alternative to the TOEFL iBT. It was designed for areas that do not have internet connectivity. However, ETS has discontinued this test and it is no longer available.
ETS offers different ways to take the TOEFL test. Let us understand the formats from the table below:
| Format | Description |
|---|---|
|
At Test Centers |
Conducted at authorized locations worldwide. |
|
At Home (TOEFL iBT Home Edition) |
Available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week. |
ETS provides various study materials and guidance to help prepare the students effectively. The following are some of the tools available:
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
|
TOEFL TestReady |
A personalized preparation portal with practice tests and study materials. |
|
Sample Test |
A free 40-minute sample test. |
|
Tutors |
Connects test takers to independent TOEFL-trained tutors. |
The following are the TOEFL test fees for various test formats:
| Test Format | Fee (INR) | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) |
INR 16,900 |
USD 205 |
|
TOEFL iBT Home Edition |
INR 16,900 |
USD 205 |
|
TOEFL Essentials Test |
INR 9,996.78 |
USD 120 |
| Service | Fee (INR) | Fee (USD) |
|---|---|---|
|
Late Registration |
INR 3,900 |
USD 40 |
|
Test Rescheduling |
INR 5,900 |
USD 60 |
|
Reinstatement of Canceled Scores |
INR 1,990 |
USD 20 |
|
Additional Score Reports (per report) |
INR 1,950 |
USD 25 |
|
Speaking or Writing Section Score Review |
INR 7,900 |
USD 80 |
|
Speaking and Writing Section Score Review |
INR 13,835 |
USD 160 |
|
Payment Return (for declined payments) |
INR 2,900 |
USD 30 |
More than 13,000 universities worldwide accept the TOEFL score. The TOEFL Essentials was recently launched and is in the process of getting approved by major universities.
| Top Universities that accept TOEFL scores | TOEFL iBT Minimum Requirement |
|---|---|
|
University of British Columbia (Canada) |
90 overall |
|
University of Winnipeg (Canada) |
86 overall (at least 20 in each section) |
|
Seneca College (Canada) |
84 overall |
|
ESSEC Business School (France) |
100 overall |
|
Erasmus University (Netherlands) |
100 overall |
|
University of Amsterdam (Undergraduate) |
92 overall |
|
University of Amsterdam (Graduate) |
100 overall |
|
University of Arizona (Graduate) |
79 overall |
|
University of Arizona (Undergraduate) |
70 overall (competitive programs require at least 79) |
|
University of California, Berkeley (Graduate) |
90 overall |
|
University of Colorado Boulder (Undergraduate) |
75 overall |
|
University of Maryland (Undergraduate) |
95 overall |
|
University of Maryland (Graduate) |
96 overall |
TOEFL is accepted by 200+ English-speaking countries like the USA, Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and several European countries as well.
There are no eligibility criteria to take the TOEFL exam. Students can take the exam to test their English language skills or for purely academic reasons such as studying in an English-speaking country. There are no age restrictions as well.
The exam fee depends on the country of residence. For Indian candidates, the exam fee is INR 16,900.
The TOEFL iBT exam is administered all around the year, more than 60 times a year. The TOEFL Home Edition is available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week, with an appointment as early as 24 hours after registration.
There are 4 sections in the test.
| Skill | Level |
|---|---|
|
Listening Section |
|
|
Reading Section |
|
|
Writing Section |
|
|
Speaking Section |
|
The following are very important tips that you must follow to get good scores in the TOEFL exam 2025:
TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is a test that evaluates your English proficiency in speaking, writing, reading and listening.
TOEFL is preferred in the U.S. and Canada, while IELTS is widely accepted in the UK, Australia, and Canada. Please choose according to your university requirements.
You can send 4 free score reports during registration or request additional reports through your ETS account for USD 25 per institution.
Yes, 90+ is considered a good score for most universities, but top schools may require 100+. Please check with your university for accurate information.
It evaluates your English proficiency for academic and professional purposes in English-speaking countries.
Practice reading, listening, speaking, and writing with TOEFL prep books, mock tests, and official ETS resources.
Take mock tests, improve vocabulary and grammar, and practice note-taking and time management.
The fee varies by country. In India, TOEFL iBT costs around INR 16,900 (USD 205).
The TOEFL exam is accepted in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and 200+ countries.
It is used for university admissions for academic programs and professional courses in English-speaking countries.
A valid passport/ID, ETS confirmation email, and a water bottle. No personal items are allowed inside the test centre.
In India, it costs around INR 16,900 (USD 205), but varies by country.
4-6 weeks of practice is recommended, depending on English proficiency. You watch YouTube videos to learn more.
Take TOEFL iBT at test centers or TOEFL Home Edition online.
Most universities require 80-100+, but top schools may need 100+.
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