TOEFL Exam 2020 Update

TOEFL is one of the most popular English exams accepted at American and Canadian universities and schools abroad. TOEFL assesses the use and understanding of English by international students speaking, writing and listening in and around the university. The Educational Testing Services (ETS) are the governing body of the test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and are responsible for asking the TOEFL questions, taking the test and sending each test participant their scorecard. Students wishing to study abroad can choose from several TOEFL test dates that are available all year round and choose from the various test centers in major cities to take their TOEFL test.

TOEFL Exam pattern from 2019

Educational Testing Services (ETS) – The TOEFL governing body shortened the duration of the test by 30 minutes from August 1, 2019. The governing body significantly reduced the number of questions in the three sections – reading, listening and speech. The duration of the previous examination was 3 hours and 30 minutes, the current duration of the examination is 3 hours. ETS has also introduced the “MyBest Score”, in which the best candidate results for each section are determined from all valid TOEFL results from the last two years. ETS – the Organizer of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) has launched another series of initiatives to improve the TOEFL iBT® test experience for students. Students can now book TOEFL exam slots for afternoon test sessions around the world.

COVID19 – TOEFL Update

In response to the current COVID-19 pandemic, ETS, the lead agency for the English as a Foreign Language Test (TOEFL) has decided to launch the TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition test for locations where TOEFL iBT is available for students in You want to study abroad. The same has not yet been introduced in mainland China and Iran. The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition test was launched in response to the temporary closure of TOEFL test centers due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. However, applicants must ensure that they meet the equipment requirements set by ETS for registration.

ETS offers a number of webinars on its official website to familiarize applicants with this new functionality. The home edition of the TOEFL test is available to students until the test centers in the different countries are fully operational again. The TOEFL results will be communicated to the student within 6 to 10 days. Applicants should note that due to the current pandemic, no printed copy of the dashboard will be sent to the student.

There were a number of security measures, including artificial intelligence technology and live monitors, that ETS managed to properly run the test at home. Accommodation for disabled participants is also available for students who require it and upon request. ETS did not make any other significant changes to perform the TOEFL test at home. Applicants are invited to visit the official website for a detailed understanding of them. Data registration is currently open from June 2020. Due to the new coronavirus pandemic, ETS has temporarily waived the rescheduling fees for all test participants.

TOEFL Types:

Candidates should be aware that the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is held in two formats, viz. TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) and TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test). The TOEFL iBT is a more preferred mode of the exam while TOEFL PBT is only available in locations that do not support the use of the Internet and this mode of examination does not have the TOEFL Speaking Test due to lack of resources. Read on to know more about the two formats of the TOEFL Exam.

TOEFL Exam Key Highlights

 Eligibility criteria for the TOEFL Exam

• Students wanting to study abroad are required to appear for the TOEFL exam. However, there are certain eligibility guidelines that students have to qualify before applying for the exam.
• ETS – the conducting body of TOEFL has not specified any age limit required to appear for the TOEFL test.

Educational Eligibility

Students who have successfully passed out high school or equivalent are eligible to appear for the exam.

FEES – Country Wise

TOEFL scores Validity

Your TOEFL results are valid for up to 2 years after your results are announced. If you are not happy with the results of your first try, you can try again because the number of retries is not limited. However, there should be a 12-day break between your resumes