The TOEFL iBT is part of the Educational Testing Service’s (ETS) portfolio of language assessment exams and accurately measures English proficiency. It is one of the most commonly used English proficiency tests.
The TOEFL Essentials test is the newest addition to ETS’ TOEFL suite of exams and measures the core elements of English proficiency in general and academic contexts. This exam has short, fast-paced questions and tasks that measure basic grammar and vocabulary.
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TOEFL iBT is the best test to take if you apply for universities abroad. TOEFL Essentials is the test you can take to visit the country for work or immigration purposes.
Finding the proper TOEFL test can be challenging if you don’t know the details and differences.
This blog will address both versions of TOEFL in-depth. Read to find out more!
TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Overview
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials are identical, but both exams’ intentions differ. TOEFL iBT measures your English language skills academically, while the TOEFL Essentials test generally does so.
Both contain 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. However, the syllabus and difficulty level of the questions change.
Below is an in-depth overview of the two exams.
| Particulars | TOEFL iBT | TOEFL Essentials Test |
| What it Measures | Language skills in an academic setting | Fundamental language skills in academic and non-academic contexts |
| Language Domain | 100% academic English setting | 50% general and 50% academic English |
| Sections | Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing | Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking + 5-minute personal video statement |
| Who’s likely to take it | Students applying for UG/PG/PhD courses abroad | International students applying to universities (limited acceptance) and high schools |
| Length | 2 hours | 1.5 hours |
| Main Test Design Principle | Designed to be the most effective assessment of applied English communication in academic contexts, with a range corresponding to CEFR B1 to C2. | Designed to be a highly efficient, multistage adaptive test that measures the full spectrum of English proficiency (CEFR A1 to C2) accurately with fewer test items and in just 1-1/2 hours |
| Delivery | At a test centre or at-home | At-home (same procedure as TOEFL iBT) |
| Cost | ₹16,134 | ₹9,851 |
| Score Reports and Additional Cost | First 4 reports: free Additional: ₹1,640 per university | Free, unlimited score reports |
| Scale Score | 0 – 120 | 1 to 12 |
Which is better for you? Discuss with our experts!
TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Differences
Though the two tests seem similar, they have many differences. The common TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials differences are as follows.
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TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Time Duration
The total test duration of TOEFL iBT is 3 hours, while TOEFL essentials last only 1 and a half hours. Further, duration details regarding each section are represented in the table below.
| Section | TOEFL iBT Format | TOEFL Essentials Format |
| Reading | 20 questions, 35 mins | 30-45 questions 22, 33 mins |
| Listening | 28 questions, 36 mins | 30-45 questions 21, 34 mins |
| Break | 10 mins | NA |
| Speaking | 4 tasks, 16 mins | 3 tasks, 13 mins |
| Writing | 2 questions, 29 mins | 2 tasks, 24-30 mins |
| Personal Video Message | NA | One video of 5 mins |
TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Exam Fee
The TOEFL iBT costs ₹16,134 in India, while the TOEFL Essentials test costs ₹9,851. In terms of fees, TOEFL Essentials is much cheaper than TOEFL iBT.
Also read: TOEFL Writing Task 2
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TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Scoring
The scoring system for the TOEFL Essentials is identical to that of the IELTS in that you are scored on a band of 1-12. Each section gets an individual score. Unlike IELTS, there is no half score in TOEFL Essentials. If you get a half score, it will be rounded off to the nearest whole score.
Below is a table of the TOEFL Essentials score calculation.
| Particulars | Actual Score | Official Reported Score |
| Reading | 6.4 | 6 |
| Writing | 7.3 | 7 |
| Listening | 7.7 | 8 |
| Speaking | 5.6 | 6 |
| Comprehensive (average score of all 4 sections) | 6.75 | 7 |
These individual scores are averaged to get an overall score.
On the other hand, TOEFL iBT scores your English skills on a scale of 1 – 120. Each section is scored on a scale of 1 – 30. The overall score is the sum of all four scores.
TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Online Vs Offline Test
TOEFL Essentials can be taken at home but is completely proctored through the ProctorU platform.
TOEFL iBT can be taken at a designated test centre or home. Both modes of the test have the same test format and syllabus. TOEFL Test centres are spread all over India and are available in almost every major city.
TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Score Review Request
While you can request score reviews on the TOEFL iBT, you cannot do so with the TOEFL Essentials. This means that your score on the TOEFL Essentials is the final score.
TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Sending Score Reports to Universities
In TOEFL iBT, you can send your scores to the first four universities completely free of cost. Additional reports will cost ₹1,640 per university.
However, the great selling point of TOEFL Essentials is that you can send unlimited score reports to institutions completely free of charge.
TOEFL iBT Vs TOEFL Essentials: Similarities
TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials are similar in many aspects, despite all the differences. Here are some similarities.
TOEFL Sections
The tests cover the same standardised four areas of English communication, Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. These four areas are considered the core and help institutions understand how effectively test takers are doing in all aspects of communication.
For example, one may understand most things that they read. But when collaborating on an assignment with some people in class or communicating with a professor, they need to know how to speak and write.
Entry into Universities Abroad
If you take the TOEFL iBT or TOEFL Essentials, you can be assured that you will have no problem succeeding in an English-speaking university environment. The tests give universities confidence that the students attending their school will not have to deal with language barrier issues during their studies.
Timeframe of Score Results
In addition to having a similar format and length, the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials also share comparable timing for results. The unofficial results will appear on the computer screen after completing each section.
Further, the official score report containing individual score breakdowns will be sent to you within 6-8 days of your test.
Also Read: New TOEFL Speaking Tips
MyBest TOEFL Scores
If an individual takes the TOEFL more than once, they can combine the best scores for each section to form MyBest scores. This way, if one doesn’t score well on one section but does well on another during a retake, they can use the better score as part of MyBest score.
Both TOEFL iBT and the TOEFL Essentials produce MyBest Scores if you take the test multiple times.
Final Thoughts
The TOEFL iBT is a three-hour, comprehensive academic English test. The TOEFL Essentials Test is a 1.5-hour general English language test that blends academic and general contexts.
Of the two, TOEFL iBT is more popular as most universities accept this test. The tasks in TOEFL iBT are longer and integrate various contexts, which universities find reliable.
Academic institutions accept TOEFL Essentials as proof of English proficiency, but the number of universities that accept the test is limited. Also, you must note that TOEFL Essentials does not apply to most advanced level courses such as Psychology, MBA, or Medical.
If the universities in your shortlist accept the TOEFL Essentials scores, you should consider taking the exam as it is much cheaper and more convenient.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Q. Is TOEFL essential accepted in Australia?
A. The Australian visa process requires a TOEFL iBT score (not the At-home version). TOEFL Essentials isn’t accepted. This ensures comprehensive language assessment, meeting integration needs. Tests at home, like TOEFL Essentials, aren’t recognized.
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Q. Which TOEFL should I take for university?
A. The TOEFL iBT test is the world’s most accepted English-language test for studying and working abroad. More universities and institutions prefer it, so you can be confident that you’ll stand out to admissions officers and employers.
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Q. Why do we need TOEFL Essentials?
A. ETS has designed TOEFL Essentials to be different from TOEFL iBT. The test provides a friendly and engaging experience for test takers, provides valid and reliable results for institutions, and measures English proficiency beyond just academic situations.
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Q. What is the validity of TOEFL Essential test scores?
A. TOEFL Essential test scores are valid for two years from the exam date. During this period, your scores can be used for admissions or other purposes. After the two-year validity period, your scores expire and may no longer be accepted by universities or organizations requiring English language proficiency proof.
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Q. Do I have to write both TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials?
A. No, you can take either one of the tests depending on your requirements. If you’re applying to universities, it’s better to choose the TOEFL iBT because it is more widely accepted. On the other hand, if your course and university do not mind TOEFL Essential scores, you can very well take the test as it is cheaper and more convenient.
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Q. Is TOEFL iBT better than IELTS?
A. Both tests are designed to test your English language skills and are structurally similar. So, it comes down to university/country requirements. IELTS is a more popular English proficiency test with a wide range of materials for preparation. TOEFL is predominant mainly in the US.
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Q. Can I use TOEFL iBT materials to prepare for TOEFL Essential?
A. Yes, you can. But it is not enough alone. We highly recommend using designated TOEFL Essentials materials to prepare for the exam to get better results. Though both exams have similar formats and sections, the questions in both exams differ significantly from each other.
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Q. Does TOEFL Essentials cost less than TOEFL iBT?
A. TOEFL Essentials is generally more affordable than TOEFL iBT due to its shorter format and content. However, the exact cost may vary depending on your location and testing centre. In India, the TOEFL iBT Test costs ₹16,134, and the TOEFL Essentials costs ₹9,851.
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Q. Is TOEFL Essentials easier than TOEFL iBT?
A. TOEFL iBT tests your English abilities on a purely academic basis. Meaning TOEFL iBT covers English more comprehensively and has longer sections. It is generally more detailed. On the other hand, the TOEFL Essentials tests your English in general and academic settings. It’s 50-50. Due to this, TOEFL Essential is shorter and may feel easier for some students.
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Q. Can I use TOEFL Essentials for job applications?
A. Some employers may accept TOEFL Essentials scores as proof of language proficiency, especially if the position you’re applying for doesn’t require strong speaking and writing skills. But keep in mind that most institutions and companies are more likely to ask for TOEFL iBT scores.
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Q. What is considered to be a good score in TOEFL Essentials?
A. Unlike TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials is marked on a scale of 0-12. This score scale is much similar to IELTS scores. Your overall TOEFL Essential score is the average of the four sections. A score above 9.5 is equivalent to 94+ in TOEFL iBT, and is considered a good score.
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