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TOEFL 2025 Eligibility, Syllabus & Preparation Strategy

Exam Level: AbroadExam Date: --

Last Updated on 12th December 2024

Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria 2026

Any candidate needing an English proficiency certificate can attempt the test. However, it is mandatory for candidates to have a valid passport. 


Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL Eligibility

Criteria

Details

Age Limit

No official age limit. 

Educational Qualification

Passed 10+2 

Nationality/Citizenship

Open to all nationalities with a valid government-issued photo ID.

ID Proof

Valid, non-expired passport (required for all candidates as photo ID); sometimes Aadhar card (in India) accepted for local test centers.

Language Background

Designed for non-native English speakers; native English speakers are exempted.

Required Documents

  • Valid passport
  •  Registration confirmation
  • Academic records (if needed)
  • Payment proof
  • Authorization or accommodations documents (if applicable).

Minimum Score

No ETS minimum for eligibility. Minimum scores set by individual institutions (usually 80–100+ iBT for top universities; see below).


Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL Syllabus

The TOEFL 2025 syllabus has four sections.  The TOEFL Reading syllabus will contain two or three long academic texts of 700-750 words long. The TOEFL listening syllabus will include a sequence of academic lectures. The TOEFL Speaking syllabus will require the candidate to present their opinion/views on certain topics.

Section

Number of Questions / Tasks

Description & Skills Tested

Reading

20 questions (2 passages)

  • 2 academic passages (700 words each) from university-level texts (history, science, social science). 
  • Question types: main idea, detail, inference, vocabulary in context, rhetorical purpose, author’s attitude.
  •  Skills: skimming, scanning, critical analysis.

Listening

28 questions

  • 3 lectures (3–5 min each) and 2 conversations (3 min each) on academic/campus topics.
  • Question types: factual, gist, purpose, attitude, connecting information.
  • Skills: note-taking, summarizing, inference.

Speaking

4 tasks

  • 1 independent task: express & support an opinion (preparation -15s, speak 45s)
  • 3 integrated tasks: read/listen, then summarize/comment/solve (prep 20–30s; speak 60s). 
  • Skills: organisation, coherence, pronunciation, grammar.

Writing

2 tasks

  • 1 integrated: read & listen, then write a summary (20 min). 
  • 1 academic discussion: state & support opinion (10 min). 
  • Skills: coherence, organization, vocabulary, grammar.

Test of English as a Foreign Language

Preparation Guide for TOEFL 2025

The preparation for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) should include understanding the exam format, vocabulary and grammar construction, listening practice, and many more. Read below to know about TOEFL 2025 preparation tips.

1 - Exam format

The initial stage of preparation is to have proper knowledge about the exam format. The candidate is expected to have clarity about the no of questions, the structure of tasks, time limitation, and marking standards in every section. 

2 - Vocabulary and Grammar Construction

For study strategies for the reading section, they will be different. The vocabulary is critical for performing well in the four sections. The academic journals, newspapers, magazines, and online articles should be widely read by the candidate. Active vocabulary can only be enriched with the use of a dictionary and noting down unknown words.

3 - Listening Practice:

In order to score quite high on the Listening, the candidate needs to be exposed to English accents. It is important to develop talking and listening note-taking skills. It teaches the brain to memorize the main points, get the main idea, and background facts. 

4 - Speaking Practice

Fluency, organization, and clarity are important in the Speaking section. The candidate is advised to record their voice as practice answering questions and later review their answers to detect any pauses, mispronunciations, or grammatical mistakes.  

5 - Writing Development

To write good essays,  it is important to structure them, provide some examples, and be grammatically correct. A student has to train in independent and integrated writing. Practicing essay writing, building structure, and getting feedback on their writing can result in gradual improvement.


Top TOEFL 2025 preparation books and resources

Top TOEFL 2025 preparation books and resources are as follows 

  • Four full-length practice tests (paper & digital)
  • Interactive digital tests with real past questions
  • ETS raters’ comments on Speaking & Writing
  • Writer’s Handbook & scoring explanations
AcronymTest of English as a Foreign Language
Conducting BodyOther
Mode and TypeOnline (Computer Based Test (CBT))
Application ModeOnline
Frequency-
Languages-
Test Takers-
Duration-
Total Marks-
Marking Scheme-
Application Fee-
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