TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) is administered entirely on a computer, including the Speaking section, which is recorded and sent to raters rather than assessed by a live examiner.
The Four Sections
- Reading: Academic passages followed by comprehension questions.
- Listening: Lectures and conversations followed by questions.
- Speaking: A mix of independent questions (your own opinion) and integrated questions (responding based on a reading and/or listening passage).
- Writing: An integrated task (write about a reading and lecture together) and an independent task (an essay on a given topic).
How Scoring Works
Each of the four sections is scored from 0-30, and the four section scores are added together for a total score out of 120. Unlike IELTS, there's no averaging — it's a straightforward sum.
What Score Do You Need?
- 60-80: Common minimum for many undergraduate programs.
- 80-100: Common requirement for competitive undergraduate and many graduate programs.
- 100+: Required by highly selective universities and some research assistantships.
Key Differences from IELTS
TOEFL has no live speaking examiner, and integrates skills more heavily, rewarding strong note-taking ability alongside language skill. See our IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE comparison for a full breakdown.
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