What is on the iBT Test?

The test includes four sections and takes about four hours to complete.

Section	Time Limit	No. of Questions
Reading	60-100 minutes	36-70
Listening	60-90 minutes	34-51
Break	10 minutes	-
Speaking	20 minutes	6 tasks
Writing	50 minutes	2 tasks

What's different about the test?

• The TOEFL iBT has a new Speaking section, which includes independent and integrated tasks.
• There is no longer a Structure section. Grammar is tested on questions and tasks in each section.
• Lectures and conversations in the Listening section are longer, but note-taking is allowed. In fact, note-taking is allowed throughout the entire test.
• The speech in the listening material sounds more natural. Also, there are new questions that measure understanding of a speaker's attitude, degree of certainty, and purpose.
• The Reading section has new questions that ask test takers to categorize information and fill in a chart or complete a summary.
• The Writing section requires typing. There is an integrated task in addition to the current independent task, and the scoring guides (rubrics) used for rating are different from the current test.  

  iBT Tasks Integrate All Four Language Skills The TOEFL® Internet-based test is unique because it is the only large-scale, standardized test that integrates, or combines, four basic communication skills. For example, you might read a passage of text and listen to a lecture, and then write or speak about it in response. These integrated tasks are excellent measures of your ability to communicate in English because they more closely reflect how we use real language. These practical, everyday tasks allow ETS to obtain a more realistic measure of how well you will be able to communicate in an academic setting. This approach also helps you prepare for success in the real academic environments you will face once you begin coursework. The new test consists of four sections. It is approximately four hours long. Information about each section is provided below. All four sections can be taken on one day. Note-taking is allowed throughout the test to help test takers answer the questions. Reading Three to five academic reading passages followed by comprehension questions that measure the ability to understand and analyze the meaning of the passages Familiar question types from the computer-based TOEFL test New question types in which test takers demonstrate they have learned what they have read, either by filling out a table or completing a narrative summary choose a correct paraphrase of a reading New features that make the testing experience easier for test takers, including a glossary and review feature. Listening Two to three conversations that include two or more speakers in each Four to six lectures, which include classroom dialogue Opportunity to take notes while listening Familiar question types from the computer-based TOEFL test New question types that measure test takers' ability to understand a speaker's attitude or meaning. Speaking Two independent tasks about familiar topics. Test takers state, explain, and support their response using personal knowledge and experience. Two tasks based on Reading and Listening material. Tasks include a short reading passage and a short talk (These are shorter than those in the Reading and Listening sections.) Questions require test takers to combine information from both the reading and the listening material in the responses One task is based on a campus-related situation, and the other is based on academic classroom material. Test takers can take notes and use them to respond. Two tasks based on Listening material, including a short lecture or conversation. Questions require test takers to summarize key ideas from the talks in the responses One task is based on a campus-related situation, and the other is based on academic classroom material. Test takers can take notes and use them to respond. Trained raters evaluate test takers' ability in: Topic development - show they understand and can make connections, and convey relevant information Delivery - use clear, smooth, sustained speech for overall intelligibility Language use - demonstrate control of grammar and word choice, and respond coherently Writing One Reading/Listening/Writing task Academic reading and lecture Test takers must answer a question discussing the key points in the lecture and explaining how they relate to those in the reading passage. Reading passage appears first, then is removed from the screen during the lecture. Test takers can view the passage again while responding the question. Test takers can take notes and use them to respond One independent task about a familiar topic Test takers state, explain and support their response using personal knowledge and experience. This task is similar to the writing task on the computer-based TOEFL test and the Test of Written English (TWE). Trained raters evaluate test takers' ability to demonstrate an understanding of the material, as well as write clearly, accurately, and in a well-organized manner. Get the new iBT Practice Test & Study Guide that is like the real test.  Click here to get your new CD ROM Click here to download it onto your computer, or buy the CD and download together      Click here to get the English Study Guide on iPod. Coming soon: the iBT Practice Test on iPod. In addition, we have developed tutored online programs made specifically for the Writing and Speaking sections as these two sections are more intense on the new iBT. Click here to go back to Home Page