TOEFL iBT structure and a study plan that fits it

The test rewards academic communication

TOEFL iBT measures Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing in an academic setting. Several tasks are integrated: you read or listen, then speak or write using that source. Success therefore depends on selecting and organising information, not only on general English knowledge.

Each section contributes up to 30 points for a total out of 120. Universities set their own expectations, and some also require minimum section scores. Record both your total target and any component minimums.

What to prepare in each section

• Reading: evidence, inference, vocabulary in context and passage organisation.
• Listening: lecture structure, speaker purpose, attitude and relationships between ideas.
• Speaking: one independent response and integrated responses that accurately combine sources.
• Writing: integrated source comparison and a clear contribution to an academic discussion.

Build from a full diagnostic

Take a complete mock under time and keep section scores separate. Then classify errors by task type. A Reading score of 20 means little by itself; repeated inference errors point to a teachable weakness.

For Speaking and Writing, compare recordings and drafts with the scoring criteria. Track delivery, language use and topic development separately so a single overall rating does not hide the real issue.

A repeatable week

• Two focused skill sessions on your weakest task types.
• One integrated set combining reading, listening and a spoken or written response.
• One timed section followed by evidence-based review.
• One short vocabulary and pronunciation session built from words encountered in practice.