TOEFL iBT, for applications to the United States.

The test most US universities prefer, delivered entirely on computer and scored out of 120. Academic English throughout, with integrated tasks that combine reading, listening and speaking.

12,000+
institutions accept it: About 2 hours
test duration: 0–120
score scale: 2 years
validity: Computer
delivery only

KEY TAKEAWAYS

What this page covers

TOEFL iBT is the test most United States universities expect, delivered entirely on computer.
The test runs about two hours and scores out of 120, with each of four sections worth 30.
Several tasks are integrated: you read and listen before you speak or write.
MyBest scores combine your best section results across sittings, which many universities accept.
The standard fee is around US$180, with extra charges for late registration and rescheduling.
Scores remain valid for two years and are sent directly to institutions.

ABOUT THE TEST

Built around academic English, not everyday English.

TOEFL leans harder on campus contexts than IELTS does — lectures, seminars, academic readings — and several tasks are integrated, meaning you read and listen before you speak or write. Students who prepare as though it were a general English test tend to underperform on exactly those integrated tasks.

01Preferred in the USWidely the default for American admissions.
02Integrated tasksRead, listen, then respond — not isolated skills.
03Fully computerisedIncluding a recorded speaking section.

Stone arched walkway framing a green courtyard

Students standing in front of a building

What TOEFL measures

TOEFL is built around campus English rather than everyday English. The listening section uses lectures and academic conversations; the reading passages are the kind of material you would meet in a first-year textbook. If you prepare for it as a general English test, the integrated tasks are where you will lose marks.

Those integrated tasks are the defining feature. You read a passage, listen to a lecture that complicates or contradicts it, and then speak or write a response that draws on both. The skill being tested is synthesis under time pressure, and it responds well to practice.

Exam pattern

Four sections in a single computer-based sitting, with the speaking section recorded rather than delivered to an examiner.

Section	Format	What it tests
Reading	Academic passages with question sets	Comprehension, inference and vocabulary in context
Listening	Lectures and campus conversations	Detail, attitude and the structure of an argument
Speaking	Independent and integrated tasks	Recorded responses, scored on delivery and content
Writing	One integrated and one discussion task	Synthesis of sources and clarity of argument

How scoring works

Each section is scored out of 30 and summed to a total out of 120. MyBest scores let you present your strongest result in each section across multiple sittings.

Component	Detail
Section scores	0 to 30 for each of the four sections
Total score	0 to 120
MyBest scores	Best section scores combined across the last two years
Validity	Two years from the test date

Fees and registration

TOEFL is priced in US dollars and varies slightly by country. Budget for the extras — late registration and rescheduling are both charged separately.

Fee type	Amount (USD)
TOEFL iBT test fee	Around $180
Late registration	Around $35 additional
Rescheduling	Around $60
Additional score reports	Charged per institution beyond the free sends

Fees vary by country and are set by ETS. Confirm the amount for Bangladesh on the official ETS portal before registering.

Booking and results

Test dates run most weeks at approved centres, and the turnaround is fast enough that TOEFL is often the practical choice when an application deadline is closer than you would like.

Scores are usually released within a few days and can be sent directly to universities. Line up your recipients before test day so the reports go out the moment the score posts.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Frequently asked questions

TOEFL or IELTS for the United States?

Both are accepted almost everywhere in the United States, so the question is which suits you rather than which is preferred. TOEFL leans on academic listening and integrated tasks, and it is fully computer-delivered with a recorded speaking section. IELTS keeps the four skills separate and uses a live speaking interview. Students who are comfortable with lectures and note-taking usually do better on TOEFL; those who speak more fluently to a person than to a microphone often prefer IELTS. We run a short diagnostic of each before you commit.

What total score do I need?