TOEFL® Essentials™ Test Content
The TOEFL® Essentials™ test has 4 sections — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — plus a 5-minute, unscored Personal Video Statement.
The total test takes about 1 ½ hours to complete, not including check in.
| Section | Time* | Questions* | Tasks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 21–34 min. | 30–45 | Answer questions about conversations and talks in various settings |
| Reading | 22–33 min. | 30–45 | Answer questions about short academic and nonacademic texts |
| Writing | 24–30 min. | 14–18 questions and 2 tasks | Build sentences and write responses for everyday and academic situations |
| Speaking | 13 min. | 3 tasks with 19 responses | Retell written and spoken input, and speak to a simulated interviewer |
| Personal Video Statement | 5 min. | 2 | Answer questions about yourself and your opinions (not scored) |
* The time and number of questions are approximate and can vary due to the adaptive format of the test. The test you take may include some unscored questions — either in the Listening and Writing sections, or in the Reading section. These questions are for research purposes and don’t count toward your score.
A Closer Look
Let's take a closer look at each section of the test.
Online Course: Understanding the TOEFL Essentials Test
For an even more in-depth look at the test, register for our self-paced course, Understanding the TOEFL Essentials Test, on the edX® platform.