How to Raise Your TOEFL iBT Score

How to Raise Your TOEFL iBT Score

This article is an informational guide. For the course itself: TOEFL course package →

The TOEFL iBT exam is a critical step that lets you prove your English proficiency on international platforms. Achieving a high TOEFL score in this exam is extremely important for reaching your education and career goals abroad.

What Is the TOEFL iBT and How Does It Open Global Doors?

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is a standardised exam accepted worldwide that measures academic English proficiency in particular. Developed by ETS (Educational Testing Service), this exam assesses the language skills of people who want to study or work in English-speaking countries. The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) format measures four core language skills — reading, listening, speaking and writing — in an integrated way. The exam assesses abilities such as understanding academic texts, following lectures, expressing ideas clearly and writing academic essays. A high TOEFL score not only opens the doors of prestigious universities but also provides a competitive advantage in the international job market. For this reason, understanding the structure and expectations of the exam well is the first step in a successful preparation process.

What Are the TOEFL Exam Structure and Sections?

The TOEFL iBT exam consists of four main sections and lasts less than 2 hours in total. Each section is designed to measure a specific language skill of the candidate and simulates language use through integrated tasks. The Reading section consists of 36–56 questions and lasts 60–80 minutes. In this section, candidates are expected to read and understand academic texts. The Listening section consists of 34–51 questions and lasts 60–90 minutes. Here, audio recordings from lectures or campus conversations are played and questions are answered. The Speaking section consists of 6 tasks and lasts 20 minutes. In this section, candidates’ ability to speak into a microphone is assessed, and in some tasks they are asked to respond based on reading and listening materials. The Writing section consists of 2 tasks and lasts 50 minutes. This section tests academic writing skills; in one task, candidates are expected to write an essay based on reading and listening materials, and in the other, to give their opinion on an independent topic. Each section is scored from 0 to 30, and the total score ranges from 0 to 120.

Why Are Speaking Skills Important in TOEFL iBT Preparation?

The Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT exam is an area many candidates struggle with, but it is critical for achieving a high score. At British Institute, we place great importance on developing speaking skills. Grammar and vocabulary alone are not enough; being able to speak fluently, clearly and in an organised way is decisive in reaching your target score. In the Speaking section, you need to understand the tasks correctly, organise your thoughts quickly and express them in clear language. Regular practice, pronunciation exercises and receiving feedback are essential for developing this skill. In face-to-face or live online lessons with our expert trainers, dedicated work is carried out to develop candidates’ speaking skills. Through practice that simulates the real exam environment, the aim is for candidates to reduce their exam stress and speak with confidence. Speaking skills will open doors for you not only in the exam but also in your academic and professional life.

Which Preparation Materials Should You Use for the TOEFL iBT?

Choosing the right materials when preparing for the TOEFL iBT exam is the key to a successful process. Official ETS publications should be your starting point, as they provide the most accurate information about the exam format and question types. Books such as the Official Guide to the TOEFL Test and Official TOEFL iBT Tests offer practice that is closest to real exam questions. In addition, the private lesson packages and course materials we offer at British Institute provide comprehensive preparation. These materials include detailed strategies, practice tests and sample questions for each section. Especially for the Speaking and Writing sections, feedback from expert trainers is invaluable for identifying and addressing your weaknesses. You can also make use of additional resources such as academic word lists to expand your vocabulary, grammar books to reinforce grammar rules, and podcasts and TED talks to develop your listening skills. Remember, using a variety of resources and practising regularly will help you achieve a high score in the exam.

What Should You Do to Secure Your TOEFL iBT Score?

To guarantee a high score in the TOEFL iBT exam, learning the right strategies and precisely targeted question patterns is extremely important. At British Institute, we offer our students comprehensive guidance on this. Exam strategies, time management, recognising question types and specific techniques for each section play a key role on the road to success. For example, speed-reading and main-idea techniques are taught for the Reading section, note-taking and inference skills for the Listening section, strategies for giving fluent and organised answers for the Speaking section, and effective argument development and essay structure rules for the Writing section. Our expert trainers create private lesson programmes tailored to each student’s personal needs, helping them strengthen their weaknesses. With the British Institute difference, whether you prepare through face-to-face classroom training or the live online lesson option, we offer you the most suitable methods to secure your exam score. Remember, with the right guidance and regular practice, it is possible to reach your target score.

Who Should Take the TOEFL Exam?

The TOEFL iBT exam appeals to a wide range of candidates and is generally preferred by people with international education or career goals. It is a mandatory proficiency document above all for students who want to study at undergraduate or postgraduate level in English-speaking countries such as the USA, Canada, the UK and Australia. A TOEFL score may also be required for scholarship applications or some professional certificate programmes. It is also an important reference for professionals who want to prove their English proficiency in immigration applications or when being hired by international companies. Anyone who has studied English at any level and wants to certify their language skills with an internationally valid certificate can take the TOEFL exam. Before taking the exam, it is important to check the minimum TOEFL score required by the institution or programme you plan to apply to.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TOEFL harder than IELTS?

TOEFL and IELTS are two different exams that measure English proficiency, and "which one is harder" depends on personal preferences and strengths. TOEFL focuses more on North American English and academic contexts, while IELTS uses both British and American English and covers a wider range of contexts. TOEFL’s speaking section is done entirely in front of a computer, whereas in IELTS it takes the form of a face-to-face interview with a person. This may make TOEFL more challenging for some candidates and less stressful for others. In addition, TOEFL consists entirely of multiple-choice or keyboard-based writing tasks, while IELTS includes different question types such as gap-filling and short-answer questions. Both exams measure academic English skills, but their formats and emphases differ. When deciding which exam is more suitable for you, it is helpful to consider the preference of the institution you are applying to and your own language skills.

How much is TOEFL in the Philippines?

The TOEFL exam fee varies by country and exchange rates. For the current TOEFL iBT exam fee in the Philippines, the most accurate information can be found on the official ETS TOEFL website or on the websites of authorised test centres. Exam fees may be updated from time to time, so it is important to check the latest information before registering. In addition to the exam fee, extra charges may generally apply for things such as rescheduling or late registration. It is therefore advisable to take all potential costs into account when planning your exam.

Is 72 a good TOEFL score?

A TOEFL score of 72 can generally be regarded as an intermediate score. Whether it is "good" depends on the expectations of the institution or programme you are applying to. Many universities and master’s programmes generally require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of between 80 and 100. Prestigious universities or highly competitive programmes in particular may ask for a score above 100. For some colleges or less competitive programmes, 72 may be acceptable. However, a higher score is generally targeted to have wider options and present a stronger profile in your applications. It is best to find out the minimum score requirements from the websites of your target institutions or by contacting their admissions offices. With the TOEFL preparation packages offered by British Institute, you have every opportunity to raise this score comfortably.

What is the TOEFL exam for?

The TOEFL exam is designed to measure and document the English language proficiency of individuals who want to study, work or live in English-speaking countries. Its main purpose is to assess candidates’ ability to understand and use English in an academic setting. Universities and higher education institutions in particular want to be sure that international students have a certain level of English so that they can follow lectures, complete assignments and take part in academic discussions. The TOEFL score is an important criterion for admission to bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral programmes. It may also be requested as proof of English proficiency for some professional certification programmes, job applications and immigration applications. In short, the TOEFL exam provides a standard measure that ensures your English language skills are recognised internationally.