Okay, so I’m prepping for the TOEFL iBT and I’m feeling completely lost when it comes to the scoring. I understand it’s out of 120 total, with each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) worth 30 points, but I don’t understand the details of how they actually get to those section scores.
Specifically, how is the raw score for each section converted to the scaled score out of 30? Is it a straight percentage? What about the Speaking and Writing sections? Are those judged on a curve? What factors are taken into account when the human raters grade them? Are there penalties for grammar mistakes, or length, or not answering the prompt completely? I’ve seen conflicting information online and I need a clear explanation. Any insights into the rubrics they use would also be REALLY helpful.
Answer
The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) scoring system is designed to provide a comprehensive assessment of a test taker’s English language proficiency across four key skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section receives a scaled score, and these scores are then combined to determine the overall total score.
Individual Section Scoring:
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Reading Section: The Reading section typically includes 3-4 academic passages, each followed by 10 questions. These questions assess comprehension of the main ideas, details, inferences, vocabulary, and rhetorical purpose of the text. The raw score is based on the number of correct answers. This raw score is then converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 30. The scaling process accounts for slight variations in difficulty between different test forms to ensure fairness.
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Listening Section: The Listening section involves understanding spoken English in academic contexts. It includes lectures and conversations. The raw score is determined by the number of correct answers. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score ranging from 0 to 30. Similar to the Reading section, the scaling process adjusts for variations in test difficulty.
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Speaking Section: The Speaking section consists of four tasks: one independent task (expressing an opinion on a familiar topic) and three integrated tasks (responding to material read and/or listened to). Each response is recorded and evaluated by trained ETS raters. Raters listen for factors such as delivery (clarity, fluency, pronunciation), language use (grammar, vocabulary), and topic development (coherence, organization, completeness). Each task is initially given a score from 0 to 4. The raw scores are then converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 30.
- Writing Section: The Writing section contains two tasks: an integrated task (writing a response based on reading and listening materials) and an independent task (writing an essay expressing an opinion). Responses are evaluated by trained ETS raters. Raters assess the quality of the writing based on factors such as organization, development, use of grammar and vocabulary, and clarity of expression. Each essay receives a score from 0 to 5. The raw scores are then converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 30.
Total Score:
The total TOEFL iBT score is the sum of the scaled scores from the four sections. Therefore, the total score ranges from 0 to 120. Each section contributes equally to the total score.
Score Reporting:
The official TOEFL score report provides the scaled score for each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) as well as the total score. The score report also includes performance feedback, which offers general insights into the test taker’s strengths and weaknesses in each skill area. The score report is available online and can be sent to designated institutions.
Score Interpretation:
There is no official "passing" or "failing" score for the TOEFL iBT. Instead, each institution or organization sets its own minimum score requirements. These requirements vary depending on the program or purpose for which the test is being taken. For example, a university may require a higher TOEFL score for admission to a graduate program than for an undergraduate program. Score ranges are often used to categorize proficiency levels, such as low, intermediate, and high. These ranges help institutions assess whether a candidate possesses the necessary English language skills to succeed in an academic environment.
