How the TOEFL iBT Test Meets Your Needs

Designed by institutions for institutions, the TOEFL iBT test meets your needs in a superior way. That's why more than 12,500 universities in over 160 countries trust it to showcase their applicants' ability to succeed in an English-speaking academic environment.

A measurement of skills where it matters

• Integrated tasks combine the four language skills — reading, listening, speaking and writing — to ensure students are prepared for the classroom.
• Test content is drawn from all areas of academic life to offer the most comprehensive picture of a student’s ability to communicate in an academic setting.

Learn about Test Content and Structure.

Fair, unbiased and reliable scores

We ensure fair and accurate results with:

• centralized, anonymous scoring by multiple raters
• a combination of artificial intelligence and human scoring
• extensive training and daily monitoring of our raters

We eliminate the potential for geographic bias or bias of a face-to-face interview with:

• a standardized Speaking section administered via computer
• raters from around the world

Learn about Scores and Admissions.

Trusted and secure

With policies that protect score integrity, and more than US$60 million invested annually on security, the TOEFL iBT test offers the best security of any English-language assessment and helps you ensure the quality of your international students.

Learn about Test Security.

An accurate prediction of potential

Unlike other English-language tests, the TOEFL iBT test gives universities the ability to differentiate among applicants because of its more precise measuring scale (0–120).

Compare TOEFL iBT scores to other measures.

Backed by research

ETS has been at the forefront of English language learning and assessment, pioneering new ways to measure proficiency and sharing our knowledge with universities and institutions around the world.

We continue to fund ongoing research to support the validity of TOEFL scores.

Learn about TOEFL Research.

• Enhancing Academic Success: International students who effectively communicate in English can participate more fully in class discussions, comprehend complex course material and produce high-quality written assignments — ultimately leading to better grades and a more fulfilling academic experience.
• Expanding Career Opportunities: In many industries (business, technology, medicine) English is the dominant language of communication. Therefore, being able to effectively communicate in English can give international students an advantage in the job market and increase their chances of career success.
• Navigating Social and Cultural Experiences: English proficiency is important for international students who want to fully immerse themselves in the social and cultural aspects of studying abroad. It helps students with making friends, participating in extracurricular activities and navigating new cultural experiences.
• Accessing Resources: English is often the primary language used for accessing academic resources, such as online journals, research articles, and textbooks. International students who have strong English proficiency can navigate these resources more effectively (particularly important for research-based degree programs).
• Building Confidence: Proficiency in English can help international students feel more confident (reducing anxiety) in their ability to communicate and succeed in their academic and personal endeavors.