The Different Sections of the TOEFL iBT Test
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Here is a description of the main sections of the TOEFL iBT test:
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[edit] Listening
In the listening section, you will get a set of headphones to listen to a series of recordings, and answer questions on them. As you are listening to the recordings, pictures of the speakers and other related things will appear on the screen. After the recording has finished, you will be asked a question, which is displayed on the screen, and played on your headphones at the same time. There will be four alternative answers displayed on the screen, and you just have to click on what you think is the right one. You cannot go back and change your answers on this section, and you are not aloud to bring any notes or paper.
The amount of questions in this section can be anything fro 30 to 50. In total, you will probably spend 40 to 60 minutes on this section. The amount of time you have to actually complete the answers can vary from 20 to 30 minutes. This is because you will spend a considerable amount of time on listening to recordings in this section. The computer will display how much time left you have to complete the answers.
[edit] Structure
In this section you will have to answer 20-25 questions in 15-20 minutes. There are 2 main types of question in this section. One is where you have to complete a sentence. The other is where you have to identify the mistake in a peice of writing. Most questions in this section have also got 4 answers to choose from, and you just have to click on the one you think is best. On some questions however, you will have to follow special directions.
[edit] Reading
This section has 44-60 questions to answer in a total of 70-90 minutes. It has various reading passages, that are designed to be similar to those which are found in academic textbooks, although you are not expected to have an in-depth knowledge of any particular subject. It is testing your general reading comprehension. You are allowed to go back to previous questions and change your answers on this section. When you are answering questions, the passage and the questions will be on the screen at the same time. Some questions are multiple choice. In some questions you are required to click on a certain word, or place in the passage.
[edit] Writing
You have 30 minutes to complete the essay section. You will be required to write an essay on a particular issue. The issue you are given will be one of a list of 100 different topics. You will have received this list before you take the test so you have some time to prepare. You can either hand-write the essay or type it on computer. You can use additional paper for planning your essay, but it won't be marked. You will be graded according on a number of criteria, including:
- How well it makes sense
- Correct grammar
- How well you support your points with examples
