Updated on Jul 12, 2025
Santana Banerjee
TOEFL Syllabus 2025 consists of four key sections, and each section assesses different types of abilities. For example, the Reading section includes questions from multiple-focus reading passages, while the Listening section assesses candidates' ability to understand English language from lectures and conversations. The speaking section features four tasks that allow test-takers to express their ideas, opinions, and experiences. Lastly, the Writing section comprises two tasks on writing passages based on an academic discussion.
TOEFL 2025 Exam evaluates candidates' language skills in terms of vocabulary, academic reading comprehension, communication, and academic writing. The Listening and Speaking sections specifically test English accents from North America, the UK, and Australia to assess how they reflect when exposed to different accents. To perform well, candidates can access official ETS preparation resources like the TestReady platform and practice tests, and join spoken English classes.
TOEFL Syllabus 2025: Key highlights
ETS has structured the TOEFL Syllabus 2025 to assess candidates' vocabulary, understanding of academic texts, communication skills, and academic writing proficiency. Refer to the table below to check the section-wise number of tasks and duration of the TOEFL 2025 Exam.
TOEFL Syllabus 2025: Section-wise Breakdown
The TOEFL Syllabus 2025 differs section-wise. For example, in the Reading section, candidates need to answer questions from passages, and in this way, how well they can understand written materials used in an academic environment is assessed. Accordingly, in the Speaking section, candidates need to draw on their ideas, opinions, and experiences based on a given incident. Refer to the following to check what topics need to be covered for the TOEFL 2025 Exam.
TOEFL Reading Syllabus
The TOEFL Reading Syllabus includes two reading passages, each 700 words long, and 10 questions are asked per passage.
TOEFL Listening Syllabus
The TOEFL Listening Syllabus measures candidates' abilities to understand conversations and lectures in English. In this section, a total of 18 questions are asked from three lectures, and a total of 10 questions are asked from 2 conversations. The details are given below:
TOEFL Speaking Syllabus
The TOEFL Speaking Syllabus includes four questions that resemble real-life scenarios that candidates may encounter both in and outside of a classroom. In this section, the test-taker's ability to speak English in an academic setting is assessed. The details are as follows:
TOEFL Writing Syllabus
The TOEFL Writing Syllabus consists of two writing tasks to present their ideas by the test-takers. The total duration of this section is about 29 minutes, during which candidates need to write on a given topic.
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025
The TOEFL Exam Pattern 2025 is designed with an iBT (internet-based) format and is divided into four sections. The Reading section includes 20 questions, whereas the listening section contains 28 questions. The TOEFL 2025 Exam is scored out of 120 marks with a total duration of about 116 minutes. Check the key highlights of the TOEFL Exam Pattern below:
How to Prepare For the TOEFL 2025 Exam?
ETS provides several helpful resources for TOEFL candidates, including the TestReady platform, practice papers, mock tests, and sample question papers. Candidates are advised to use those resources to prepare for the TOEFL 2025 Exam. Besides, they can also use some other online resources to achieve their desired score. Here are some exam preparation tips for the test-takers:
- Solve official practice papers to understand the test contents and structure of the TOEFL Exam.
- Join spoken English sessions to adopt the accents from North America, the UK, New Zealand, or Australia.
- Read storybooks and novels to improve vocabulary and comprehension skills.
- Watch YouTube videos on phonetic transcriptions.
- Listen to English podcasts to improve listening skills.
- Engage in live conversations to improve the ability to express ideas and opinions.
TOEFL Syllabus 2025: Important Books
Besides online resources, candidates can refer to some books given below to improve their reading skills.
- Official TOEFL iBT Tests, Volume 1 (Latest Edition) by ETS
- Kaplan TOEFL iBT Prep Plus (Latest Edition) by Kaplan
- Barron's TOEFL iBT (Latest Edition) by Barron's Educational Series
- Magoosh TOEFL Vocabulary Flashcards by Magoosh
- Delta's Key to the TOEFL iBT
- Princeton Review TOEFL Testing
- McGraw-Hill Education TOEFL iBT with CD-ROM (Latest Edition) by McGraw-Hill
TOEFL Syllabus 2025 FAQs
Is the syllabus of TOEFL 2025 the same across all four sections?
No, each section assesses different skills and abilities of candidates. For example, the reading section tests comprehension skills, the listening section tests vocabulary skills, and the speaking and writing section assesses how well candidates can express their ideas and opinions.
How much time is given to a candidate to complete the writing section in the TOEFL 2025 Exam?
The writing section consists of two writing tasks: one task is for academic discussion, which has to be completed in 10 minutes, and the integrated writing task in 20 minutes, so the total time for this section is around 29 minutes.
Is the TOEFL a difficult exam?
If candidates use an effective preparation strategy, then it is not a difficult exam anymore. However, it is a challenging exam as it tests non-English speaking candidates’ ability to cope with different accents. So, if candidates plan to practice different accents such as North American, British, and Australian and solve practice papers by ETS, they can easily achieve their desired scores.
What are the TOEFL passing marks?
ETS does not mandate any minimum percentage of marks, but the top universities generally accept TOEFL Scores ranging between 90 and 110. So, candidates must aim to achieve a 100+ score to get admission to top universities.
What is the syllabus of the Reading section in the TOEFL 2025 Exam?
The Reading section in the TOEFL 2025 Exam includes a total of 20 questions from 2 passages, and each passage is about 700 words long.
What is the TOEFL 2025 Syllabus for the speaking section?
The speaking section of the TOEFL Syllabus contains one Independent Speaking task and three Integrated Speaking tasks focusing on expressing ideas, opinions, and experiences of candidates.
How to prepare for the Listening section in the TOEFL 2025 Exam?
Candidates can practice the listening section by listening to conversations and lectures. Accordingly, listening to podcasts and speeches of some speakers may help candidates prepare for the Listening section.
What are some helpful study resources to prepare well for the TOEFL 2025 Exam?
Candidates can use the ETS Official Guide to the TOEFL, Barron's TOEFL iBT test papers, TED Talks & Podcasts, and daily writing practice based on different academic topics to prepare well for the TOEFL 2025 Exam.
What are the main challenges faced by the candidates in the TOEFL Speaking section?
Candidates can face challenges while organising responses in the speaking section within 45 and 60 seconds.
What should test-takers focus on the day before the TOEFL 2025 Exam?
On the day before the TOEFL 2025 Exam, candidates should revise common question types and practice listening activities. Avoid excessive exercise and organise the requirements for the test day, such as ID proof.
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