What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

TOEFL iBT Test Listening Score Calculation: Grading Criteria and More

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TOEFL iBT® Test Listening Score Calculation: Grading Criteria, Score Interpretation

Raajdeep Saha

3 min read

Updated On October 10, 2024

"Unlock the secrets to mastering the TOEFL iBT Listening score. Explore marking criteria, score descriptors and university requirements."

Key Highlights

The TOEFL iBT Listening Section: A Comprehensive Overview
How Your TOEFL iBT Listening Responses are Scored
TOEFL Listening Section Grading Criteria Break-Up
Score Descriptors for TOEFL Listening Tasks
Interpreting Your TOEFL iBT Listening Score

If you're preparing for the TOEFL iBT, understanding the scoring system for the Listening section is crucial. In this blog post, we'll dive into the marking criteria, and score descriptors and provide you with insider tips to help you achieve your desired TOEFL iBT Listening score.

The TOEFL iBT Listening Section: A Comprehensive Overview

The TOEFL iBT Listening section evaluates your ability to understand spoken English in academic settings. You'll have approximately 36 minutes to complete this section, which includes 3 lectures and 2 conversations.

How Your TOEFL iBT Listening Responses are Scored

The TOEFL iBT Listening section is scored on a scale of 0 to 30. Each correct answer earns you one raw score point. For example, if you answer 22 questions correctly, your raw score will be 22. Simple, right?

However, the real challenge lies in converting your raw score to a scaled score, which is the final score you'll receive on your TOEFL iBT score report.

TOEFL Listening Section Grading Criteria Break-Up

Before diving into the TOEFL Listening marking criteria, it's important to comprehend how your performance is evaluated. Here's a breakdown of the grading criteria and the rater’s expectations to guide you through your preparation journey.

Score Range	Grading Criteria
22 - 30	Grasp main ideas and important details, even if these details are not emphasised. Distinguish key ideas from less critical points. Follow complex, sometimes conflicting information throughout lengthy lectures. Understand how information and examples are used (e.g., to provide evidence, make comparisons, or express opinions) and how different pieces of information are connected (e.g., cause-effect relationships). Recognise various uses of language beyond conveying information, such as expressing emotions, emphasising points, or communicating intentions. Synthesise information, even if presented out of sequence, and make appropriate inferences based on that information.
17–21	Comprehend main ideas and important details that are reinforced. Differentiate main ideas from other information. Track information and recognise multiple points of view. Understand how examples support claims and how information is connected (e.g., narrative explanations or cause-effect chains). Sometimes grasp the nuanced use of language for purposes like emphasising a point or expressing opinions. Synthesise information from adjacent parts of a lecture or conversation and make inferences.
9–16	Understand main ideas in complex discussions if the ideas are frequently referred to, elaborated upon, or illustrated with examples. Comprehend explicitly stated important details but may struggle if these details are not reinforced or clearly marked as important. Recognise some uses of language to express opinions or attitudes, especially when these are related to central themes or supported by intonation. Understand connections between important ideas, particularly if they are related to central themes or repeated.

Score Descriptors for TOEFL Listening Tasks

Understanding the scoring criteria for TOEFL Listening tasks is essential for test takers aiming to achieve their desired scores. Here's an overview of the score descriptors to help you navigate your preparation effectively.

Level	Score	CEFR Level	Description
Advanced	22–30	C1	Test takers at the Advanced level typically have a strong understanding of conversations and lectures in academic settings, even when they include challenging vocabulary, abstract concepts, complex sentence structures, varied intonation, and large amounts of information organised in intricate ways. Note: Test takers scoring 28-30 may perform at CEFR Level C2.
High-Intermediate	17–21	B2	Test takers at the High-Intermediate level generally understand the main ideas and important details of academic conversations and lectures, even those that include difficult vocabulary and complex ideas. However, they may struggle with densely packed information unless it is reinforced.
Low-Intermediate	9–16	B1	Test takers at the Low-Intermediate level typically understand the main ideas and some important details of academic conversations and lectures, particularly when these are reinforced or repeated.
Below Low-Intermediate	0-8	—	Test takers with scores below 9 have not demonstrated proficiency at the Low-Intermediate level.

Interpreting Your TOEFL iBT Listening Score

Now that you understand the scoring system, it's time to interpret your score. A good TOEFL iBT Listening score ranges from 22 to 30, indicating an advanced level of proficiency in understanding spoken English in academic settings.

However, it's important to note that the specific score requirements may vary depending on the university or program you're applying to. Many top universities and colleges expect high-level TOEFL iBT Listening scores to gain admission into specific degree programs.

Remember, the TOEFL iBT Listening section is designed to assess your ability to comprehend spoken English in academic contexts. With dedicated practice and a solid understanding of the scoring system, you can confidently tackle this section and achieve your desired score.