TOEFL Sections

TOEFL Exam Syllabus Description

Total Questions/ Duration

TOEFL Exam Syllabus: Reading Section

The TOEFL Reading Section includes two reading passages, each approximately 700 words long, with 10 questions per passage. It should take about 35 minutes to complete the Reading section. The section is scored based on the number of correct reading comprehension responses.

2 passages, 10 questions each
Total no. of questions: 20
Total time: 35 minutes

TOEFL Exam Syllabus: Listening Section

The TOEFL Listening Section includes 3 lectures, some with classroom discussion, each 3–5 minutes; 6 questions per lecture and 2 conversations, each 3 minutes; 5 questions per conversation. You can take notes on any audio item throughout the test to help you answer questions. It should take about 36 minutes to complete the Listening section.

a) 3 Lectures (3-5 minutes long, about 500-800 words), 6 questions each, Total 18
b) 2 conversations (about 3 minutes long, about 12-25 exchanges), 5 questions each, Total 10

Total no. of questions: 28
Total time: 36 minutes

TOEFL Exam Syllabus: Speaking Section

For you to earn the highest scores in the TOEFL Speaking Section, your responses must fulfil the demands of the task given with only minor mistakes or lapses. The test graders are looking for a highly intelligible and sustained conversation. Three main factors comprise scoring for the section, viz, delivery, language use, and topic development.

a) 1 independent task (prep time: 15 – 30 sec; response time: 45 or 60 sec)
b) 3 integrated tasks – Read/Listen/Speak (prep time: 15 – 30 sec; response time: 45 or 60 sec)
Total no. of questions: 4 tasks
Total time: 16 minutes

TOEFL Exam Syllabus: Writing Section

In the TOEFL Writing Section, the two essays should effectively address a topic each. The response should be well-organized and well-developed using relevant explanations and detailed support. Furthermore, it should also display unity, progression, and coherence. If you want to achieve a high writing score, make sure that you demonstrate syntactic variety and appropriate word choice with minor grammatical errors.

a) 1 Integrated task – Read/Listen/Write (20 minutes) (reading time: 3 min; Listening time: 2 min; writing: 15 min)
b) 1 Writing for an Academic Discussion task (10 minutes)
Total no. of questions: 2 tasks
Total time: 29 minutes