English language test
TOEFL
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
Long the standard for US admissions, and still the test many American universities know best.
What TOEFL is
TOEFL iBT is an internet-based English test administered by ETS, assessing reading, listening, speaking and writing in a single sitting. It is distinctive for its integrated tasks: rather than testing skills in isolation, several tasks require you to read a passage, listen to a lecture and then speak or write a response that draws on both. That mirrors actual academic work more closely than most alternatives.
Who accepts it
TOEFL is accepted by universities across all six destinations and is particularly well established in the USA, where it was historically the default. It is accepted for student visa purposes by several immigration authorities. Confirm both admission and visa acceptance for your destination before booking.
Who should take it
- Students focused primarily on the USA, where TOEFL has the longest track record.
- Applicants comfortable with academic content — the passages and lectures are genuinely university-level.
- Students who find integrated tasks play to their strengths, since these reward genuine academic skill rather than test technique.
- Anyone whose target institution specifically names TOEFL.
Test format
The test is taken on a computer at a test centre or, where available, at home under remote proctoring. All four sections are completed in one sitting. The speaking section is recorded and scored later by a combination of human raters and automated scoring, rather than being an interview.
Reading
First sectionAcademic passages with comprehension questions
Understanding university-level academic text, vocabulary in context, inference and identifying the author's purpose.
Listening
Second sectionLectures, classroom discussions and conversations
Understanding academic lectures and campus conversations, including speaker attitude and the function of what is said. Note-taking is permitted and effectively required.
Speaking
Third sectionIndependent and integrated tasks, recorded
Expressing an opinion on a familiar topic, and speaking about material you have just read and heard. Responses are short and timed tightly.
Writing
Final sectionIntegrated task plus a second writing task
Synthesising a reading passage with a lecture, and constructing an argument. The integrated task rewards accurate summary over personal opinion.
Total test time
ETS TOEFLReviewed 26 August 2026
How scoring works
0 to 120 total, with each of the four sections scored 0 to 30
Institutions typically set a total score requirement and sometimes minimum section scores as well. Because the speaking section is recorded and rated afterwards rather than conducted as an interview, students who are conversationally strong but uncomfortable speaking to a microphone under time pressure sometimes score below their real level — practising to a timer is worthwhile.
Score validity
ETS TOEFLReviewed 26 August 2026
Registering and getting results
We do not publish test fees. Providers set them per country and per centre, and a fee that has gone stale is worse than none — check the official site when you book.
- Create an ETS account on the official TOEFL website.
- Choose TOEFL iBT and select a test centre in Nepal, or the at-home option where available.
- Book early for peak periods ahead of Fall applications.
- Identify the institutions to receive your scores — a number of score reports are typically included with registration.
- Bring the same passport used at registration.
When results arrive
ETS TOEFLReviewed 26 August 2026
How to prepare
What actually moves a score, based on where students from Nepal most often lose marks.
- Build note-taking skill deliberately. TOEFL permits notes and the integrated tasks are close to impossible without good ones.
- Practise the integrated tasks specifically — reading, listening and then responding is the format that distinguishes TOEFL, and it is the one students most often under-practise.
- For integrated writing, the task is accurate synthesis, not your opinion. Marks are lost by students who argue instead of summarising.
- Practise speaking to a timer and a microphone. Response times are short and there is no examiner to react to you.
- Read academic material well outside your own subject. The passages span sciences, humanities and social sciences.
- Take full-length computer-based mocks — the test is one continuous sitting and stamina is a real factor.
TOEFL preparation with MATES
What a preparation course covers.
- Diagnostic test with section-by-section scoring.
- Academic note-taking training for the listening and integrated tasks.
- Structured practice on independent and integrated speaking tasks.
- Integrated writing practice focused on accurate synthesis.
- Computer-based full-length mock tests.
- Score review identifying which sections are limiting your total.
Class times, fees and instructors
Course schedules, fees, batch sizes and instructor details are confirmed directly by our Kathmandu office and branches rather than published here, so you always get current information rather than a page that has gone out of date. Call 01-5333565 or book a counselling session and we will confirm what is running.
TOEFL — common questions
TOEFL or IELTS for a US application?
Both are accepted almost everywhere in the USA now, so choose on format rather than reputation. TOEFL is entirely computer-based with recorded speaking and integrated tasks; IELTS has a live speaking interview and separates the skills more cleanly. Take a diagnostic in each if you are undecided.
What are integrated tasks and why do they matter?
Tasks where you read a passage, listen to a lecture on the same topic, and then speak or write a response drawing on both. They are the heart of TOEFL and they reward genuine academic ability over test technique — which is good news if your English is solid but bad news if you were hoping to rely on memorised templates.
Can I take TOEFL at home from Nepal?
An at-home option exists where availability and technical requirements allow. Check current availability for Nepal on the official ETS site, and consider connection reliability before choosing it over a test centre.
How many universities can I send my scores to?
A number of score reports are typically included with your registration fee, with additional reports available at extra cost. Decide your list before test day, since free reports are usually selected at registration.
Related
Test format and scoring information on this page last reviewed . Rules, fees and thresholds change — always confirm against the official source before you apply.
Find out where you actually stand
A diagnostic test takes one session and tells you your current level in each skill. It is the difference between a preparation plan and a guess.