The Test of English as a Foreign Language, commonly referred to as TOEFL, is one of the most recognizable English proficiency tests administered to non-native speakers, largely taken for higher university and college enrollment purposes among English-speaking countries. Invented in 1964, TOEFL scores are recognized by over 11,000 institutions across more than 150 countries in the world. It measures the ability to use and understand English in a college or university setting, emphasizing the skills required for higher education studies.

TOEFL comes in two formats: the Internet-based Test and the Paper-delivered Test, administered in areas where the iBT is not available. The iBT version is more common and widely accepted. It assesses four major language skills: listening, reading, speaking, and writing. It shall test the student’s ability to understand and use English in academic settings; the emphasis is now on integrated skills, meaning the student will have to read, then listen, and thereafter speak or write in response. Each section is created with specific areas of English proficiency in mind.

This makes TOEFL globally recognized and widespread into institutions for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions. The test is one of the most trusted because of its academic rigor and reliability. Below is a breakdown of the test structure: