What is the Difference Between TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT?

International students have to make many decisions when planning to study in the USA. Some will have to decide if they need to take the TOEFL or IELTS exam depending on the program to which they are applying. In general, most international students will take the TOEFL exam, once they have decided to study in the USA. Most international students, do not know there are two versions of the TOEFL exam.

TOEFL IBT

The TOEFL iBT exam is given online through the Internet at designated testing sites. It is recommended that you have basic typing skills in order to complete this exam in a timely manner. This exam measures writing, reading, listening, and speaking skills. The test is administered very frequently throughout the year at various locations. The test takes about 3-4 hours to complete. This format of the exam is generally the only option students will have at most locations where they will be taking the TOEFL exam.

TOEFL PBT

TOEFL PBT exam is administered via a paper and pencil format. This exam measures listening, reading, writing and grammar skills. This exam is only offered in areas where Internet is not available. The test takes about 2.5 hours to complete. This exam is being phased out and the TOEFL iBT will be the primary TOEFL exam given to international students.

Regardless of which exam you take, it’s important to know the score you need to achieve for admissions. Luckily, you are allowed to take all formats of the TOEFL exam as many times as you need. You should prepare well-in-advance of your test date by taking practice exams and speaking with a native English speaker, if possible. If you study and practice, many months before the test, you are bound to do well!

Section	Internet Based Test (IBT)		Paper-Based Test (PBT)
Reading	3-5 passages from academic texts; approximately 700 words long; 12-14 questions per passage. What's different? Glossary to define key words; easy-to-use review feature New task – categorize information and fill in chart/complete summary Time:60-100 minutes Questions:36-70 Score Scale:0-30		measures the ability to understand non-technical reading material. Time:30 minutes Questions:1 topic Score Scale:31-67
Listening	4-6 lectures, some with classroom discussion; each 3-5 minutes long; 6 questions each. 2-3 conversations; each 3 minutes long; 5 questions each. Time:60-90 minutes Questions:34-51 Score Scale:0-30 10 minutes break What's different? Longer, more authentic conversations and lectures Note taking allowed New questions that measure understanding of a speaker's attitude, degree of certainty, purpose, or motivation		Listening Comprehension measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America. 3 – 4 mini-talks: each 60 – 90 seconds long, 3 – 5 questions each 2 – 3 extended conversations: each 60 – 90 seconds long, 3 – 5 questions each 30 – 40 dialogues: each 5 – 15 seconds long, 1 question each Time:30-40 minutes Questions:50 Score Scale:31-68
Speaking	2 tasks to express an opinion on a familiar topic; 4 tasks to speak based on what is read and listened to. Up to 30 seconds to prepare the response Up to 1 minute to respond Time:20 minutes Questions:6 tasks Score Scale:0-4 points converted to 0-30		No Speaking Section
Structure (grammar)	No Structure Section No grammar section, although grammar is evaluated in Speaking and Writing responses.		This part has 15 exercises of completing sentences correctly and 25 exercises of identifying errors. Time:25 minutes Score Scale:31-68
Writing	1 task to write based on what is read and listened to; 1 task to support an opinion on a topic. Time:50 minutes Questions:2 tasks Score Scale:0-5 points converted to 0-30		One essay with 250-300 words in average. Time:30 minutes Questions:1 topic Score Scale:0-6
Total score	Score Scale:0-120		Score Scale:310-677