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TOEFL Exam: What It Is and How to Prepare on Your Own
03.07.2025
3 minutes to read
Want to study abroad or just level up your English to a global standard? Then sooner or later, you'll run into this beast called the TOEFL exam. Sounds serious, but in reality, it’s not that scary. In this article, we’ll break it all down: what TOEFL is, why you need it, how to prepare for it without tutors or panic, and whether it’s actually possible to pass it on your own. Let’s figure it out like normal people — no boring stuff.
Table of contents
TOEFL is an international English language exam that you need if you want to study or work abroad, especially in English-speaking countries. TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language — meaning it's a test of English for non-native speakers. It's most commonly required when applying to universities in the U.S., Canada, Australia, and other countries. TOEFL is considered an official English proficiency test and is accepted in over 150 countries. Its main goal is to test your ability in four core skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It’s not just a formality — it’s a key step that can open doors to the best universities in the world. TOEFL is also useful if you're applying not just to a university, but also to courses or internships abroad. You can take it online (the online TOEFL) or at official test centers. The certificate is valid for two years, so putting it off is not a great idea. Better figure out how to pass TOEFL the first time.
What TOEFL Is and Who Needs It
TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test)
TOEFL iBT Paper Edition
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL Exam Formats (iBT, Paper-based)
TOEFL iBT is the most popular version of the test. Everything’s online: you sit in a test center at a computer, with headphones and a microphone. You’re tested on all four skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Results come quickly, and almost every international university accepts this format. It’s convenient, up-to-date, and gives a super accurate view of your English level.
TOEFL PBT is the old paper-based version of the test, without the speaking section. It tests reading, listening, grammar, and writing. Nowadays, it’s almost never used — only in areas without internet access. Fewer and fewer schools accept this version. Consider the PBT a backup option, not your main goal.
The Paper Edition is a hybrid: you take the reading, listening, and writing sections on paper in a test center, and then do the speaking section online from home. Sounds weird, but it’s a workaround if there’s no full iBT center in your city. This format isn’t available everywhere, but many universities still accept it. Just make sure to double-check where and how it’s offered.
The Home Edition is the same TOEFL iBT, but taken from home instead of a test center. All you need is a quiet room, stable internet, and a webcam. An online proctor monitors you to make sure everything’s fair. It’s a great option if you can’t travel to a center or just prefer doing the test in your comfort zone. It works well as long as your tech setup at home is reliable.
TOEFL comes in two formats: iBT and Paper-based. The most popular and “modern” option is the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test). You take it on a computer connected to the internet — either in a test center or even from home (yep, that’s a thing). All four skills are tested: reading, listening, speaking, and writing — in a convenient digital format. This is the main version accepted by almost all universities worldwide. Then there’s the Paper-based Test — the old-school version. Everything’s on paper, no speaking section, but it includes reading, grammar, listening, and writing. You can only take this version in countries or regions without access to the internet version. It’s rare nowadays, but still exists. In short: TOEFL iBT is the best choice — flexible, modern, and easier to prepare for at home. Paper-based is more of a backup plan. So, if you have the option — go for iBT, and you’ll get your international English certification without unnecessary hassle.
TOEFL Structure and How the Exam Works
The TOEFL iBT isn’t just one test — it’s four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. It all happens in one day and takes about 2 hours. Sounds intense? It’s actually manageable if you know what to expect.
Reading comes first. You’ll get 2–3 academic texts and 10 questions for each. You need to read quickly, understand the main idea, catch details, and not get lost in the wording. Next is Listening: you’ll hear lectures, campus conversations, and dialogues — and answer questions. The key here is focus. One yawn and you might miss the answer. Then comes a short break — about 10 minutes. After that, it’s time for the most stressful (but fun!) part — Speaking. You’ll answer questions into a mic, and your recordings will be graded later. You have to think fast, be clear, and not freak out. Finally, Writing: two tasks — one based on a reading and an audio clip, and the second is an essay on a given topic. Structure, logic, and arguments are key. You can take the exam at a test center or from home (depending on the format), but the structure stays the same. Everything’s timed and strict, so it’s not just about knowing English — you also need to manage pressure and work within time limits.
Reading comes first. You’ll get 2–3 academic texts and 10 questions for each. You need to read quickly, understand the main idea, catch details, and not get lost in the wording. Next is Listening: you’ll hear lectures, campus conversations, and dialogues — and answer questions. The key here is focus. One yawn and you might miss the answer. Then comes a short break — about 10 minutes. After that, it’s time for the most stressful (but fun!) part — Speaking. You’ll answer questions into a mic, and your recordings will be graded later. You have to think fast, be clear, and not freak out. Finally, Writing: two tasks — one based on a reading and an audio clip, and the second is an essay on a given topic. Structure, logic, and arguments are key. You can take the exam at a test center or from home (depending on the format), but the structure stays the same. Everything’s timed and strict, so it’s not just about knowing English — you also need to manage pressure and work within time limits.
How TOEFL Is Scored and What Score You Need
TOEFL is scored out of 120 points. Each of the four sections — Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing — is worth up to 30 points. These are added up to get your total score. The higher the better.
There’s no official “pass” score, but most universities require between 70 and 100+. Top universities often want 105+, especially if the competition is high. Some schools pay extra attention to Speaking or Writing scores — especially if you’re applying for a humanities program. Scoring is based on accuracy, clarity, logical expression, and grammar. Some tasks (like multiple choice) are graded automatically, but Speaking and Writing are evaluated by human examiners. If you're just taking TOEFL for yourself or to check your level, aim for 80+. If you're targeting a competitive university — set your goal at 100+. Scores usually come in 4–6 days, and the certificate is valid for 2 years.
There’s no official “pass” score, but most universities require between 70 and 100+. Top universities often want 105+, especially if the competition is high. Some schools pay extra attention to Speaking or Writing scores — especially if you’re applying for a humanities program. Scoring is based on accuracy, clarity, logical expression, and grammar. Some tasks (like multiple choice) are graded automatically, but Speaking and Writing are evaluated by human examiners. If you're just taking TOEFL for yourself or to check your level, aim for 80+. If you're targeting a competitive university — set your goal at 100+. Scores usually come in 4–6 days, and the certificate is valid for 2 years.
How to Prepare for TOEFL on Your Own
Preparing for TOEFL by yourself is totally doable — and you don’t need an expensive tutor. What you do need is a clear plan, discipline, and the right materials. Start with a general English level test to see where you’re at. Then study the exam structure: what sections there are, how much time you get, what the question types are. That’ll help you stay calm on test day. Next — practice. For Reading and Listening, read academic articles and listen to lectures on YouTube or in podcasts. For Speaking, record yourself answering common TOEFL questions and play it back. At first, it’ll feel super awkward, but over time you’ll sound more confident. For Writing, write essays, read samples, and practice structure: intro, arguments, conclusion. Important: don’t just memorize stuff — understand how the tasks work. Use official ETS materials, online practice tests, and free courses. And of course — timing. Train yourself to finish within the time limits. With a couple of months of steady practice, you can absolutely reach a strong level and pass with confidence.
Tips and Common Mistakes While Preparing
If you want a good TOEFL score, just learning English isn’t enough. You have to prepare smart. Here are some tips that really work:
First, practice in the actual TOEFL format. It’s not enough to read books or watch shows. You need to know what tasks are coming, how the timing works, and what’s tested in each section.
Second, record yourself speaking. Seriously. You’ll be shocked the first time you hear how you sound. This helps you fix your pronunciation, cut out the “uhh” and “umm,” and learn to speak clearly and on-point.
Writing tasks — practice them regularly too. Don’t just write “whatever comes to mind.” Stick to the structure: intro, arguments, examples, conclusion.
Now some common mistakes:
And one more thing: don’t be afraid to make mistakes while practicing — be afraid of not learning from them.
First, practice in the actual TOEFL format. It’s not enough to read books or watch shows. You need to know what tasks are coming, how the timing works, and what’s tested in each section.
Second, record yourself speaking. Seriously. You’ll be shocked the first time you hear how you sound. This helps you fix your pronunciation, cut out the “uhh” and “umm,” and learn to speak clearly and on-point.
Writing tasks — practice them regularly too. Don’t just write “whatever comes to mind.” Stick to the structure: intro, arguments, examples, conclusion.
Now some common mistakes:
- Memorizing words out of context. That’s useless. Learn phrases and sentence patterns that you can actually use.
- Ignoring the timer. TOEFL is strict on time, so train under pressure.
- Starting too late. The earlier you begin, the calmer you'll feel.
And one more thing: don’t be afraid to make mistakes while practicing — be afraid of not learning from them.
How TOEFL Is Different from IELTS and Other Exams
TOEFL, IELTS, and Cambridge exams — they all test English, but they’re very different in how they do it. TOEFL iBT is fully computer-based. You take it either in a center or at home. All responses go through the computer — even the speaking part is recorded into a mic. IELTS is a hybrid — you can choose paper or computer, but Speaking is done live with an examiner, which can make people nervous. Cambridge exams (like FCE, CAE, CPE) are old-school: pen, paper, and face-to-face conversation.
In terms of scores — TOEFL is out of 120, IELTS is out of 9, and Cambridge gives you levels (like B2, C1, etc.). TOEFL leans toward American English and is usually required for the U.S. and Canada. IELTS is more common in the UK, Australia, and Europe. Cambridge is more of a "classic" certification and often doesn’t expire (unlike TOEFL and IELTS, which are valid for 2 years). And yes, if you're not comfortable talking into a mic — TOEFL might feel weird. But it’s super clear, predictable, and fully automated. So choose your exam based not on the name, but on where you’re applying and how you prefer to take tests.
In terms of scores — TOEFL is out of 120, IELTS is out of 9, and Cambridge gives you levels (like B2, C1, etc.). TOEFL leans toward American English and is usually required for the U.S. and Canada. IELTS is more common in the UK, Australia, and Europe. Cambridge is more of a "classic" certification and often doesn’t expire (unlike TOEFL and IELTS, which are valid for 2 years). And yes, if you're not comfortable talking into a mic — TOEFL might feel weird. But it’s super clear, predictable, and fully automated. So choose your exam based not on the name, but on where you’re applying and how you prefer to take tests.
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