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TOEFL 2025 : Exam Dates, Registration, Fees, Eligibility, Syllabus, Question Papers, Results

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Overview

The complete TOEFL syllabus tests your ability to read, write, listen, and speak in English, specifically in an academic context. It evaluates how well you can use English in a university environment. 

 

You can choose between two formats: the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) and the TOEFL Home Edition, which you can take from your own space. For 2025, the syllabus remains unchanged, focusing on academic English through tasks that reflect real university scenarios. English is the sole medium of the exam, designed to reflect the language skills you will need for your studies abroad.

TOEFL Exam Syllabus 2025 (Latest)

The TOEFL exam measures your skills in reading academic texts, understanding spoken lectures, speaking clearly on familiar topics, and writing essays based on what you read and hear. Here’s the updated TOEFL syllabus for 2025, designed to give you a clear view of what to expect. 

Section

Number of Questions / Duration

Overview

Reading

20 questions / 35 minutes

You will read two academic passages (about 700 words each) from subjects like history, science, and social sciences. 

 

Tasks include identifying main ideas, details, inferences, vocabulary meanings, rhetorical purposes, and author perspectives. 

 

Skills tested include skimming, scanning, and critical thinking.

Listening

28 questions / 36 minutes

This section features three short lectures (3–5 minutes each) on university subjects such as biology or art, plus two conversations between students and professors or peers. 

 

You will answer questions on facts, main ideas, purposes, attitudes, and connections. Note-taking, summarising, and inference skills are essential.

Speaking

4 tasks / 16 minutes

Tasks include one independent task where you express your opinion on a familiar topic (15 seconds prep, 45 seconds response). 

 

Three integrated tasks require reading a short text and listening to a related talk or conversation, then summarising or offering solutions (prep times vary from 15 to 30 seconds; speaking times up to 60 seconds). 

 

The focus is on organisation, clarity, grammar, and pronunciation.

Writing

2 tasks / 29 minutes

The integrated writing task asks you to summarise information from a reading and lecture (20 minutes). 

 

The second task involves writing an essay presenting and supporting your opinion on an academic topic (10 minutes). 

 

Your writing will be assessed for coherence, structure, vocabulary range, and grammar accuracy.

 

TOEFL Exam Syllabus for Reading

The Reading section contains two passages, each around 700 words, followed by 10 questions per passage. You will have 35 minutes to complete this part of the exam. Your score depends on how many reading comprehension questions you answer correctly.

  • Number of passages: 2
     
  • Questions per passage: 10
     
  • Total questions: 20
     
  • Duration: 35 minutes

 

TOEFL Syllabus for Listening

The Listening section includes three academic lectures and two campus conversations. Each lecture is 3 to 5 minutes long and may include classroom discussions. Conversations are about 3 minutes each and reflect real student interactions. You can take notes during the audio clips to help you answer the questions. This section takes around 36 minutes to complete.

  • Number of lectures: 3
     
  • Questions per lecture: 6
     
  • Number of conversations: 2
     
  • Questions per conversation: 5
     
  • Total questions: 28
     
  • Duration: 36 minutes

 

TOEFL Exam Syllabus for Speaking

The Speaking section includes four tasks that test how well you express your thoughts in spoken English. You will be expected to give clear, well-structured answers with good pronunciation and grammar. Your score depends on how effectively you deliver your response, use language, and develop your ideas.

  • Number of tasks: 4
  • Task types:

– 1 Independent task (prep time: 15–30 seconds; response: 45 or 60 seconds)

– 3 Integrated tasks (read/listen/speak) (prep time: 15–30 seconds; response: 45 or 60 seconds)

  • Total time: 16 minutes

 

TOEFL Syllabus for Writing

The Writing section includes two tasks that test how well you present ideas in written English. You must write clearly, stay on topic, and support your points with relevant examples. Your score depends on how well you organise your thoughts, use grammar, and maintain flow in your writing.

  • Number of tasks: 2
     
  • Task types:
    – 1 Integrated task: Read, listen, then write (Reading: 3 minutes, Listening: 2 minutes, Writing: 15 minutes)
    – 1 Academic discussion task (10 minutes)
     
  • Total time: 30 minutes

TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025

Section

Duration

Number of Questions

What You’ll Do

Reading

35 minutes

20

Read academic passages and answer questions that test comprehension and reasoning.

Listening

36 minutes

28

Listen to short lectures and conversations, then answer questions based on them.

Speaking

16 minutes

4 tasks

Speak on familiar topics and respond to content you read and heard.

Writing

29 minutes

2 tasks

Summarise a reading and lecture, then express your opinion in a written response.

TOEFL Preparation Tips For Each Section

Reading Section Tips

  • Start by skimming the passage to get the overall idea.
     
  • Pay close attention to transition words. They help you follow the argument.
     
  • Practise with academic reading material to get used to the test format.

Listening Section Tips

  • Take clear, structured notes as you listen to each clip.
     
  • Listen for tone, intent, and context and not just the words.
     
  • Get familiar with various English accents through podcasts or online lectures.

Speaking Section Tips

  • Use a timer to practise answering within the allotted time.
     
  • Record your responses to evaluate fluency, grammar, and pronunciation.
     
  • Refer to sample speaking tasks to understand expectations and scoring patterns.

Writing Section Tips

  • Structure your response into clear paragraphs: introduction, body, and conclusion.
     
  • Use a mix of sentence types to show your writing range.
     
  • Always leave time to review and fix grammar or word choice errors.

TOEFL FAQs

Ans: The TOEFL exam syllabus includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section tests your English language skills in an academic setting. You'll work with university-style texts, real classroom conversations, structured speaking tasks, and well-organised writing assignments.
Ans: No significant changes have been made to the TOEFL syllabus in 2025. The exam still focuses on academic English through reading, listening, speaking, and writing tasks. The format has been streamlined to reduce the overall test duration, but the core syllabus remains unchanged.
Ans: The TOEFL iBT test and Paper Edition follow the same syllabus. Both versions assess your English reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills using academic material. However, the Paper Edition does not include the Speaking section.
Ans: The Reading section includes two academic passages, each around 700 words. You'll answer questions that test your ability to identify main ideas, infer meaning, understand vocabulary, and analyse the author's purpose.
Ans: Passages are drawn from academic subjects such as history, psychology, science, or sociology. They are similar to texts found in first-year university textbooks and require critical reading and accurate responses.
Ans: The Listening section involves academic lectures and campus-based conversations. You'll answer questions based on tone, main idea, speaker attitude, and supporting details.
Ans: You’ll hear short lectures from university classrooms and conversations between students or professors. Each clip is followed by multiple-choice questions designed to test comprehension and inference.
Ans: The Speaking section includes four tasks: one independent task and three integrated tasks. You'll express opinions, summarise information from reading and listening, and respond clearly within the given time.
Ans: Topics range from everyday situations to academic discussions. You may be asked to share your opinion, summarise a lecture, or respond to a classroom scenario.
Ans: The Writing section includes two tasks: one integrated task where you read, listen, then write, and one academic discussion task where you support your opinion in response to a prompt.
Ans: There are two writing tasks. You’ll complete one 20-minute integrated task and one 10-minute opinion-based response.
Ans: Yes. Grammar is assessed indirectly across all four sections. In Writing and Speaking, grammar accuracy and sentence structure are key to scoring well.
Ans: Yes. Grammar is assessed indirectly across all four sections. In Writing and Speaking, grammar accuracy and sentence structure are key to scoring well.
Ans: Absolutely. A strong vocabulary helps in all sections, especially Reading and Listening. Understanding academic words and context-based meanings is essential.
Ans: Yes, especially in the Writing section. Incorrect spelling may lower your score, so make sure your written responses are accurate and polished.
Ans: Yes. The TOEFL syllabus is built around academic content. You’ll encounter subjects like science, history, arts, and social studies in both reading passages and lectures.
Ans: The TOEFL is aimed at intermediate to advanced English learners. You should be comfortable understanding academic material, expressing opinions clearly, and writing structured essays.
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