The Toefl test is one of the most prominent English Language Proficiency tests around the globe. This test is very different from the IELTS test, primarily because unlike IELTS, TOEFL is an online test. The acronym stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. The preparation of TOEFL test depends on your level of English. For some students, it can be a matter of months, but for others, it could be easily cracked.

TOEFL is an exam that is required for international students who wish to either study or work in an English speaking nation. In order to know about the time you need or the kind of system you need to prepare it, you need to know the pattern of the test. It tests you on 4 aspects of a language: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Every section has some specific tasks and questions for you.

The Reading section can be of minimum 60 minutes and a maximum of 100 minutes. This section analyses your ability to analyze and contemplate a written text that is usually based on science and academic discussions.

The Listening section can be of minimum 60 minutes and a maximum of 90 minutes. You are made to listen to 4 to 6 audios and asked questions based on those. These audios are usually lectures or conversations and the questions asked to test your understanding of the motivations and emotions of speakers.

If you get 3 Reading passages, then you’ll have a lengthier Listening section, i.e. it will have 6 conversations. On the contrary, if you get 5 Reading passages, you’ll get 4 audios in the Listening section.

The Speaking section runs for 20 minutes and consists of 6 tasks that you need to complete by talking in a microphone. It is a very critical section and candidates need to prepare very well for this.

The Writing section is of 50 minutes and includes two writing tasks. This is to demonstrate how well you can write in the English language.

Each section has a maximum score of 30; therefore the maximum marks of the entire test are 120. This is a long test of four and a half hours, with only a short break (10 minutes). This break is in between the Listening and the Speaking sections. Some important information about the TOEFL test:

• You will be given scratch paper and a pencil to make as many notes as you want. Note-making is a highly recommended aspect of this test. At the end of the test, you need to write the scratch papers and pencils to your examiner.
• You can get a snack or a drink to have it in the 10-minute break.
• No cell phones or other digital devices are allowed, even in the 10-minute break.
• You can use the restroom or eat something in this break but you need to be back before the break ends, as the clock won’t stop for you.

Now that you know about the format of this test, you need to know about the material to prepare from. ETS, the organization that conducts the TOEFL test, comes up with updated official guidebooks for this exam regularly. You can also find a bunch of free online tests to practice from. The official software provided by the ETS has the most authentic scoring and is highly recommended.