Test Content

A Reliable Assessment of Academic English

The TOEFL® ITP tests are paper-based and use 100 percent academic content to evaluate the English-language proficiency of nonnative English speakers, giving you confidence about your students' ability in a real-world academic setting. All questions are multiple choice and students answer questions by filling in an answer sheet. The tests evaluate skills in three areas:

  • Listening Comprehension measures the ability to understand spoken English as it is used in colleges and universities
  • Structure and Written Expression measures recognition of selected structural and grammatical points in standard written English
  • Reading Comprehension measures the ability to read and understand academic reading material

Learn more about the seven ways you can use the TOEFL ITP assessments in the classroom.

The TOEFL® ITP Assessments at a Glance

Level 1 (intermediate to advanced): 2 hours

Section Number of Questions Admin. Time Score Scale
Listening Comprehension 50 35 minutes 31–68
Structure and Written Expression 40 25 minutes 31–68
Reading Comprehension 50 55 minutes 31–67
TOTAL 140 115 minutes 310–677

Level 2 (high beginning to intermediate): 1 hour and 10 minutes

Section Number of Questions Admin. Time Score Scale
Listening Comprehension 30 22 minutes 20–50
Structure and Written Expression 25 17 minutes 20–50
Reading and Vocabulary 40 31 minutes 20–50
TOTAL 95 70 minutes 200–500

Content and Settings for the TOEFL ITP test

Academic Topics

  • Arts: fine arts, crafts, theater, dance, architecture, literature, music, film, photography
  • Humanities: history, political science, government, philosophy, law
  • Life Sciences: paleontology, biochemistry, animal behavior, ecology, anatomy, physiology, genetics, health science, biology, agriculture
  • Physical Sciences: geology, astronomy, chemistry, geology, earth science, engineering, meteorology, energy, technology, oceanography, physics
  • Social Sciences: anthropology, sociology, education, geography, archaeology, psychology, economics, business, management, marketing, communications

Campus-life Topics

  • Classes: class schedules, class requirements, library references, assignments (papers, presentations, readings), professors, studying, field trips
  • Campus administration: registration, housing on and off campus, study abroad, internships, university policies
  • Campus activities: clubs, committees, social events

General Topics

  • Business: management, offices, official documents, law
  • Environment: weather, nature, climate, environment
  • Food: types of food, restaurants
  • Language and communication: mail, email, telephone use, leaving messages, requests for information
  • Media: TV, newspapers, Internet
  • Objects: descriptions of objects, equipment
  • Personal: family members, friends, health, emotions, physical characteristics, daily routines
  • Planning and time management: future events, invitations, personal schedules
  • Purchases: clothing, shopping, banking, money
  • Recreation: sports, games, concerts, plays, art, books, photography, music, parties and gatherings, public lectures
  • Transportation: travel, driving, parking, public transportation, travel reservations
  • Workplace: applying for a job, on-campus employment, work schedules

Preparing for the TOEFL ITP Test with TOEFL® ITP Practice Tests, Volume 1

Test takers can prepare for the TOEFL ITP test with real practice tests from ETS. TOEFL® ITP Practice Tests, Volume 1 contains two complete TOEFL ITP practice tests, a CD-ROM of the Listening passages, answer keys, scoring information, study tips and test-taking strategies. Learn more.

Start using the TOEFL ITP assessments in your classroom.

Order now >