TOEFL iBT practice: reading, listening, speaking, writing
TOEFL iBT practice organised the way the test is: Reading task by task, Listening by question type, and Speaking and Writing task by task. Every question on this site is written by us and modelled on the real task types, with strategies aimed at the places candidates actually lose points — paraphrase traps, inference that goes one step too far, and integrated answers that copy a source instead of reporting it.
Who TOEFL iBT is for
- Students applying to universities in the United States and Canada, where TOEFL is widely accepted.
- Applicants to graduate programmes that ask for evidence of academic English rather than general English.
- Candidates who are comfortable in conversation but lose marks on academic listening and note-taking.
- Learners at roughly B2 who need to move into the higher score bands for a competitive programme.
- Anyone retaking the test after a score that was strong in Reading but weak in Speaking or Writing.
- Teachers who need a task-by-task set of original practice material for an exam class.
- Self-study candidates who want practice that names the trap in each question, not just the answer.
- Professionals who need a recognised English score for licensing, employment or immigration purposes.
The exam at a glance
| Sections | Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing |
|---|---|
| Format | Computer-delivered, taken at a test centre or at home where that option is offered |
| Length | Under two hours in the current format |
| Scoring | Each section is reported on a 0–30 scale and the four are added to a total out of 120 |
| CEFR level | Around B2, with higher score bands corresponding to C1 |
| Validity | Scores are normally valid for two years from the test date |
| Accepted by | Universities, colleges and immigration authorities in many countries, including the United States, Canada, the UK and Australia |
Note
Pick Two Activity is an independent tool. It is not affiliated with, endorsed by or sponsored by Cambridge University Press & Assessment, the British Council, IDP, ETS, Duolingo or any other exam board. Exam names are trademarks of their owners and are used here only to describe the exam you are preparing for. Every question on this page is original practice written by us: we do not provide, copy or reproduce official exam papers.
The papers
Reading
TOEFL iBT Reading practice by task type: vocabulary in context, factual and negative factual, inference, purpose, sentence insertion and prose summary.
Listening
TOEFL iBT Listening practice by question type: lecture main idea and detail, attitude and function, campus conversations, note-taking and lecture organisation.
Speaking & Writing
TOEFL iBT Speaking and Writing practice: the independent and integrated speaking tasks, integrated writing and the academic discussion task.
Frequently asked questions
What score do I need?
It depends entirely on the institution, and many set a minimum for each section as well as for the total. Check the programme’s own page rather than a general figure, and prepare for the section minimum, which is what usually blocks an application.
How long are TOEFL scores valid?
Normally two years from the test date. If your application cycle is more than two years away, it is usually worth waiting rather than testing early.
Is TOEFL harder than other English exams?
It is different rather than harder. It is entirely academic in content, entirely computer-delivered, and it asks you to combine reading, listening and speaking in the same task, which is where most candidates find the difficulty.
How much preparation do most candidates need?
That depends on your starting level, but the productive tasks respond faster than the receptive ones. Daily timed practice of the speaking tasks changes a score in weeks; reading speed takes longer.
Can I take notes during the test?
Yes, in every section, and you should. The integrated Speaking and Writing tasks are answered almost entirely from notes taken while the lecture played.
Does my accent affect my Speaking score?
No. Raters score intelligibility and flow, not accent. Clear word endings and a steady pace matter far more than sounding like a native speaker.
Is British or American English expected?
TOEFL is an American exam and its recordings and passages use American English, but consistent British spelling in your writing is not penalised. What matters is that your usage is consistent.
Can I retake the test?
Yes, and retaking is common, particularly where one section has held the total down. Prepare specifically for that section rather than repeating a full general course.
Is guessing penalised?
No. Nothing is deducted for a wrong answer, so never leave a question blank — including the prose summary, where partial credit is available.
What is the fastest way to raise a low Speaking score?
Record yourself answering one prompt a day against a timer, then listen back for two things only: whether you stated a position immediately and whether every reason had a concrete detail attached.