About the TOEFL Practice
~7 min read · Updated April 2026
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based) is run by ETS and accepted by 12,000+ universities in 160 countries. In the UK it's most commonly used for postgraduate admission alongside IELTS. The test is delivered fully online at a test centre or, in many countries, at home with proctoring.
The full test is around two hours of testing across four sections, scored 0–30 each for a total of 0–120.
The four sections
Reading: 20 questions on two academic passages, 35 minutes. Listening: 28 questions on lectures and conversations, 36 minutes. Speaking: 4 tasks, 16 minutes (you record answers into a microphone). Writing: 2 tasks, 29 minutes.
The 2023 'Enhanced TOEFL' format dropped the unscored experimental section and reduced overall test time to about two hours.
How scoring works
Each section is scored 0–30; the total is 0–120. Most UK universities want 80–100 overall with at least 20 in each section. Top postgraduate programmes (Oxford, Cambridge, LSE) often want 100+ with 25+ per section.
Speaking and Writing are scored by a combination of AI and human raters. Reading and Listening are auto-marked.
TOEFL vs IELTS
TOEFL is fully computer-based and uses American English. IELTS has a face-to-face Speaking interview and uses British English (Academic version is most common for UK universities). Both are accepted by virtually all UK universities — pick the format that suits you.
TOEFL is generally cheaper outside the UK and faster to book. IELTS is more accessible inside the UK and is the only one of the two accepted for UK visas.
Study plan
Allow 6–8 weeks if you're already at IELTS 6.0 / B2 level. Use the official ETS practice tests — third-party material varies in quality. Drill Speaking by recording yourself and timing exactly to the on-screen prompts.
Writing tasks are template-friendly — learn one solid 5-paragraph structure for the Independent Writing task and you'll save time on test day.
Booking and on the day
Book at ets.org/toefl. Fee is around £200–£250 in the UK. Choose Test Center or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (proctored online — needs a clean room, webcam and quiet environment).
Bring your passport. Results arrive in 4–8 days. Scores are valid for two years.
Section-by-section strategy
Reading: skim the passage in 90 seconds before reading any questions. Note paragraph topics in the margin. Most question types map to a single paragraph — find the right paragraph first, then read it carefully. Insert-text and prose-summary questions test whole-passage understanding and are worth more marks each.
Listening: take structured notes using a T-chart (main idea on the left, examples on the right). Headphones supplied at the test centre — adjust volume during the equipment check, not mid-question. Each lecture is played once only.
Speaking: stick to a clear template. Independent task: state your opinion in one sentence, give two reasons with one example each, brief conclusion. Integrated tasks: paraphrase the reading first, then summarise how the lecture relates. Speak for the full time allowed — short answers cap your score.
Writing: Integrated task asks you to compare a reading passage with a lecture; aim for 150–225 words, four short paragraphs. Independent / Academic Discussion task is a forum-style response in 100+ words — give a clear opinion and one developed reason.
Computer adaptive scoring and TOEFL MyBest
Reading and Listening are not classical adaptive (you can review and change answers within a section), but the test draws from a graded item bank — getting questions right gives access to higher-difficulty items that are worth more marks.
TOEFL MyBest Scores combine your highest section scores from any TOEFL tests in the last two years. Most US universities and many UK ones accept MyBest, which means a weak Speaking on one sitting can be replaced by a strong Speaking on a later one. Always check the institution's policy.
Common pitfalls
Speaking too quietly or unclearly into the microphone — the scorer cannot ask you to repeat. Always do a mic check and aim slightly louder than feels natural.
Running long on Speaking integrated tasks. The recording stops at the time limit mid-sentence and the unfinished idea scores nothing. Practise hitting the conclusion with five seconds to spare.
Memorising essay templates word-for-word — TOEFL's AI rater detects template use and downgrades the score. Use a flexible structure, not pre-written paragraphs.
Common errors that block band 7
Subject–verb agreement with collective nouns: 'the government has decided' (singular in British English) but 'the team are arguing' is also accepted. Pick one register and stay consistent throughout an essay.
Countable vs uncountable nouns: 'information', 'advice', 'research', 'equipment', 'furniture', 'news' are all uncountable. Never say 'an information' or 'three researches'. Use 'a piece of information', 'some advice', 'three research projects' instead.
Word order in indirect questions: direct 'Where is the station?' becomes indirect 'Could you tell me where the station is?' — note the verb moves back. Examiners hear the wrong order constantly: 'Could you tell me where is the station?'
Linking words misused: 'although' starts a clause, not a sentence. 'However' starts a sentence and takes a comma. 'Despite' takes a noun ('despite the rain'); 'although' takes a clause ('although it rained'). Drilling these five rules alone lifts most students from band 6 to 6.5.
Ready to start?
You've read the guide — now put it into practice. 45 of 45 mock papers ready, each with 24 questions and full explanations.
Start TOEFL Practice