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Test Options for Students at Different Levels

Depending on school curricula and other factors, young students acquire their English abilities at different times and in different ways.

The TOEFL Primary® program offers four tests to measure a range of skills:

  • the paper-delivered Reading and Listening test — Step 1
  • the paper-delivered Reading and Listening test — Step 2
  • the computer-delivered Speaking test
  • the computer-delivered Writing test

Each test provides reliable scores, and scores from all tests are mapped to Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) levels. TOEFL Primary Reading scores are also matched to MetaMetrics® Lexile® measures, making it easier to find the books and articles that best match students’ English reading levels.

TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening tests assess students’ knowledge, skills and abilities to fulfill core communication goals in English. They are offered at two levels of proficiency, Step 1 and Step 2, so that you can select an assessment that more closely matches the skills your students have acquired.

The TOEFL Primary Speaking test is designed for students at many different levels of English ability, from beginners through more proficient speakers.

TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test – Step 1

The Reading and Listening test — Step 1 is intended for students in the earlier stages of English learning and covers:

  • Familiar contexts (school, home, playground)
  • Basic formulaic expressions
  • Basic vocabulary and phrases related to common objects and people
  • Short and simple requests and directions
  • Short and simple text relevant to everyday experiences
Section Number of Questions Number of Examples Total Number of Questions Time
Reading 36 3 39 30 minutes
Listening 36 5 41 30 minutes

TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test – Step 2

The Reading and Listening test — Step 2 is intended for students who have acquired some communicative English skills and covers:

  • Basic expressions, requests, phrases and directions
  • Simple short stories and conversations on topics beyond everyday experiences
  • Unfamiliar words given sufficient amount of contextual clues
  • Simple content-based texts
Section Number of Questions Number of Examples Total Number of Questions Time
Reading 36 1 37 30 minutes
Listening 36 3 39 30 minutes

TOEFL Primary Speaking Test

The Speaking test is intended for Reading and Listening test takers — Step 1 or Step 2 — and covers:

  • Giving simple descriptions
  • Expressing basic emotions, feelings and opinions
  • Making simple requests
  • Asking questions
  • Giving directions
  • Explaining and sequencing simple events
Section Number of Questions Time
Speaking 8 30 minutes

TOEFL Primary Writing Test

The Writing test is intended for Reading and Listening test takers — Step 1 or Step 2 — and covers:

  • Giving simple descriptions
  • Expressing opinions
  • Making appropriate edits
  • Sequencing simple events
  • Writing a short, coherent story
SECTION NUMBER OF QUESTIONS TIME
Writing 19 30 minutes

 

Interested in using the TOEFL Primary tests in your program?

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