TOEFL iBT – Testaufbau, Punkte & Vorbereitung

What Is the TOEFL?

The TOEFL iBT – Test of English as a Foreign Language is an international English-language test designed primarily to measure the academic English skills needed for university study.

It assesses four core language skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.

TOEFL scores are accepted by universities and other institutions around the world. The test is particularly relevant for students who want to study in an English-speaking or international academic environment.

Why Take the TOEFL?

TOEFL iBT Test Format – Current Version

Since 21 January 2026, the TOEFL iBT has used a revised, adaptive test format.

The complete test still covers the four main language skills, but the individual task types have changed.

1. TOEFL Reading

The Reading section checks how effectively you understand written English in both everyday and academic contexts.

What You Need to Be Able to Do

• understand the main idea of a text;
• identify important details;
• understand vocabulary from context;
• recognize relationships between ideas;
• understand academic passages efficiently;
• read accurately under time pressure.

How to Prepare

• Read English articles and academic texts regularly.
• Practise identifying the main idea before focusing on details.
• Learn vocabulary in context rather than as isolated words.
• Practise reading with a time limit.

2. TOEFL Listening

The Listening section assesses whether you can understand spoken English in different academic and everyday situations.

Important Skills

• understanding the main idea;
• recognizing important details;
• understanding the speaker's purpose;
• following explanations and arguments;
• recognizing attitude and emphasis;
• taking useful notes while listening.

How to Prepare

• Listen regularly to lectures, interviews and educational podcasts.
• Practise taking short notes rather than writing complete sentences.
• Summarize what you have heard afterwards.
• Listen to different accents and speaking styles.

3. TOEFL Speaking

The current Speaking section contains tasks based on listening and repeating and responding in an interview-style situation.

This means that pronunciation alone is not enough. You also need to listen carefully, react quickly and produce clear spoken English under time pressure.

Important Speaking Skills

• clear pronunciation;
• accurate repetition;
• natural rhythm and sentence stress;
• quick comprehension;
• clear and relevant responses;
• fluency and confidence.

How to Prepare

• Record yourself speaking English regularly.
• Use shadowing exercises to imitate pronunciation and rhythm.
• Practise giving short spontaneous answers.
• Listen and repeat complete phrases rather than isolated words.
• Practise speaking within a strict time limit.

4. TOEFL Writing

The Writing section checks whether you can produce clear, grammatically accurate and appropriately structured written English.

The current test includes three types of writing-related task:

• Build a Sentence
• Write an Email
• Write for an Academic Discussion

Important Writing Skills

• sentence structure;
• grammar accuracy;
• clear organization;
• appropriate vocabulary;
• responding directly to the task;
• expressing and supporting ideas clearly.

How to Prepare

• Practise writing concise emails in English.
• Write short responses to academic discussion questions.
• Review common grammar and sentence-structure problems.
• Practise writing under time pressure.

TOEFL Scoring – New 1–6 Scale

Since January 2026, TOEFL iBT score reports use a new 1–6 scale in half-point increments.

You receive:

• a Reading score;
• a Listening score;
• a Speaking score;
• a Writing score;
• an overall TOEFL score.

The overall score is calculated from the four section scores and rounded to the nearest half band.

Universities determine their own minimum TOEFL requirements. Always check the exact score required by the institution or program you are applying to.

How to Prepare for the TOEFL

1. Understand the current test format.
   Make sure your preparation material reflects the post-January-2026 TOEFL.
2. Identify your weakest skill.
   Do not spend equal time on everything if one area is clearly holding you back.
3. Build academic English.
   Read, listen, speak and write about academic and international topics.
4. Practise under time pressure.
   TOEFL performance depends partly on being able to use your English quickly.
5. Record your speaking.
   Listen to pronunciation, rhythm, pauses and clarity.
6. Practise writing regularly.
   Work on clear sentence structure and concise responses.
7. Use official practice material.
   ETS provides sample tasks and preparation resources for the current TOEFL.

TOEFL Test Day Tips

• Check your identification requirements before test day.
• Know whether you are taking the test at a test center or at home.
• Become familiar with the current TOEFL interface and task types.
• Practise using your time efficiently.
• Do not panic if one question feels difficult.
• Stay focused on the task currently in front of you.

Why Choose the TOEFL iBT?

• International recognition: TOEFL iBT is accepted by thousands of universities and institutions worldwide.
• Academic focus: The test is designed around English used in academic environments.
• Four skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing are all assessed.
• Flexible testing: TOEFL iBT can be taken at an authorized test center or, where available and appropriate, as the Home Edition.
• CEFR-related scoring: The new 1–6 scale is designed to align more intuitively with CEFR levels.