TOEFL Essentials

TOEFL Essentials is an adaptive 1.5 hour online English test of reading, listening, speaking, and writing, in both a general and an academic context. This version of the TOEFL was designed as a cheaper, more accessible alternative to the rigorous TOEFL iBT. If taking the TOEFL for university admission, it's important to check which version of the TOEFL your target university accepts, as not all will accept Essentials.

History

TOEFL Essentials was launched in 2021 as an all-purpose TOEFL exam: shorter, cheaper, and administered entirely online. Because Essentials is adaptive, it is able to assess candidates of a wider range of English proficiency levels, from beginner to advanced.

Scoring

TOEFL Essentials is scored from 1 to 12, with equal weight given to each of the four skills tested. Different universities require different TOEFL scores and some do not accept TOEFL Essentials. Some may also require specific scores on specific skills such as writing or speaking. It is always best to check the policy of your target university. All TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years after the test. The TOEFL Essentials score report includes both the score on the latest test session and the best score of all test sessions over the past 2 years.