Subject
TOEFL
Explore TOEFL iBT preparation for US university applications, with guidance for all four sections. Check the live directory for current tutor profiles. Strategy for every question type and full-length mock tests.
What the test measures
Reading
35 min · 20 questions
Listening
36 min · 28 questions
Speaking
16 min · 4 tasks
Writing
29 min · 2 tasks
Each section is scored 0–30. Your total score is out of 120. Most universities require 80–100. Top programs often want 100+.
How the sections work
Reading — 35 minutes, 20 questions
3–4 passages, 10 questions each. Question types include factual information, inference, sentence insertion, summary, and category matching. A tutor will teach you how to read for the answer without reading the whole passage every time.
Listening — 36 minutes, 28 questions
3–4 lectures (6 questions each) and 2–3 conversations (5 questions each). You hear each audio once. Notes are key. A tutor will train you to take notes that actually help you answer — not just transcribe.
Speaking — 16 minutes, 4 tasks
1 independent task (your opinion) and 3 integrated tasks (read + listen + speak). You have 15–30 seconds to prepare and 45–60 seconds to speak. Recording yourself and getting scored against the ETS rubric is the only way to improve. That's what a tutor does.
Writing — 29 minutes, 2 tasks
1 integrated task (read + listen + write, 20 min) and 1 academic discussion task (10 min). Scoring is on development, organisation, and language use. A tutor will show you what a 26+ writing response looks like and how to get there.
How to prepare
01
Know your current score
Take a full-length practice test under timed conditions. That tells you which sections are strong and which are holding you back — and gives you and your tutor a starting point.
02
Target your weak sections
If your Speaking is 22 and your Reading is 28, every hour of Reading practice is an hour not spent on the thing holding your total down. A tutor will tell you where to focus.
03
Get feedback on Speaking and Writing
These are the sections you can't self-assess accurately. You need someone who knows the ETS rubrics to score your responses and tell you what to change.
04
Learn the question-type strategy
Each question type has a strategy — how to approach summary questions, how to take notes for integrated tasks, how to structure a speaking response in 45 seconds. That's what a tutor teaches.
05
Take timed full-length tests
Full-length practice tests under real conditions — the clock running, no pauses. That's the only way to build the stamina and pace you need for test day.
Current availability
Tutor profiles and availability are shown in the live directory.
View tutor directoryTOEFL questions
The things students ask before booking.
What is a good TOEFL score?
It depends on the universities you're applying to. Most US universities require 80–100/120. Top programs often want 100+. Some require minimums per section — for example 26+ in Speaking for teaching assistant positions. Your target depends on the schools you're applying to. A tutor will tell you what each of your target schools requires and how to reach it.
How is TOEFL different from IELTS?
TOEFL iBT is fully computer-based in most test centres. The Speaking section is recorded into a microphone — there's no live interviewer. IELTS has a live speaking interview with an examiner. TOEFL Reading and Listening are longer. Both test the same underlying English skills, but the format feels very different on test day. A tutor who has taken both can tell you which suits you better.
How much does a TOEFL tutor cost?
₹800–₹2,500 per hour depending on experience. TOEFL specialists who scored 105+ themselves tend to be in the ₹1,200–₹2,000/hr range. You see the rate before you book. Trial sessions are often discounted.
Can I prepare for TOEFL in a month?
If you're already near your target — within about 10 points — a focused month of coaching can close the gap, especially if you're targeting a specific section. If you're far from your target, you'll need more time. Tell your tutor your test date upfront — they'll give you an honest assessment of what's realistic.
What's the hardest section in TOEFL?
For most students, Speaking and Writing are harder to improve because they're the sections you can't study for in isolation — you need feedback. Reading and Listening improve faster with practice because you can self-assess. A tutor who scored high themselves will know exactly where students typically lose points in each section.
Do I need TOEFL or IELTS for US universities?
Most US universities accept both. Some prefer TOEFL because it's US-based. Some require a minimum TOEFL Speaking score (often 26+) for teaching assistant eligibility. IELTS is more common for UK, Australian, and Canadian applications. Check your target schools' requirements — a tutor can help you decide which test to take if you're unsure.