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What are the Differences between TOEFL-iBT vs. TOEFL-PBT

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Candidates need to qualify any English language proficiency test to study abroad and TOEFL is one of these. TOEFL is conducted as TOEFL iBT or internet-based test and TOEFL PBT or paper-based test. Candidates are often confused about the differences between TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT. The following sections discuss exactly the same, check these out.

TOEFL iBT vs. TOEFL PBT – A Quick Comparison

TOEFL iBT TOEFL PBT
Conducted online through the internet Conducted offline via paper and pencil
Duration: 3 hours and 30 minutes Duration: 2 hours and 30 minutes
Costs INR 11468 – INR 17919 Costs INR 12901
Tests reading, listening, speaking and writing Tests Listening Comprehension and Structure and Written Expression, Reading Comprehension, and Test of Written English (TWE)
Conducted throughout the year in 97% of the locations Conducted only in specific locations where the internet is not available.
Conducted on Saturday and Sundays Conducted every month
Score range: 0-120 Score range: 310 to 677
0-30 for TOEFL reading section
0-30 for TOEFL listening section
0-30 for TOEFL speaking section
0-30 for TOEFL writing section
31-68 for Listening Comprehension and Structure and Written Expression
31-67 for Reading Comprehension
1-6 for TWE

Apart from these basic differences, the main difference is in the TOEFL exam pattern.

  • TOEFL iBT has a speaking section – TOEFL PBT does not have the speaking section.
  • TOEFL iBT writing consists of 2 writing tasks – one independent writing task and one integrated writing task, but TOEFL PBT writing (TWE) comes with 1 writing task.

The rest of the factors are mostly the same – so, it means TOEFL PBT has a limited area of testing compared to TOEFL iBT.

Moving on to the TOEFL score, TOEFL iBT scoring is less complicated. TOEFL PBT scoring is complicated because it engages a raw score to scaled score process.

Section-wise comparison of TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT

Section name TOEFL iBT TOEFL PBT
Reading 3-4 reading passages
Each passage with 700 words
Each passage with 10 questions
Total 30-40 questions
54-72 minutes
Score range: 0-30
5 passages
Each passage with 250-300 words
55 minutes
Score range: 31-67
Listening 3-4 lectures, 2-3 conversations
28-39 questions
41-57 minutes
Score range: 0-30
3-4 mini-talks, 2-3 conversations
30-40 questions
30-40 minutes
Score range: 31-68
Speaking 4 speaking tasks
10-12 minutes
Score range: 0-30
-
Writing One integrated task
One independent task
50 minutes
Score range: 0-30
One independent task
30 minutes
Score range: 0-5

Angola, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Congo DRC, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Myanmar, Nigeria, Suriname, Tanzania, and Togo allow the candidates to take both formats of TOEFL.

TOEFL iBT Vs, TOEFL PBT: Which one to Take?

At present, most of the countries allow the test-takers to take TOEFL iBT only – so, candidates will only get the opportunity to take TOEFL iBT at their locations.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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