The TOEFL iBT Reading section is the first part of the TOEFL test and serves a critical role in evaluating a test taker’s academic reading ability. It assesses how well a student can understand and analyze passages similar to those encountered in university-level coursework. This section tests comprehension skills, vocabulary knowledge, and the ability to interpret information across a variety of academic disciplines.
The Reading section is designed to mirror the type of reading students will do in a U.S. or English-speaking academic environment. University lectures, textbook materials, academic journals, and classroom discussions often require strong reading skills. The TOEFL Reading section measures these capabilities to ensure that students are ready to engage with academic content effectively.
The main goal of the Reading section is to determine whether you can:
Understand and extract factual information.
Make inferences from textual content.
Comprehend the vocabulary in context.
Identify purpose, tone, and the organization of ideas.
Analyze the relationships between sentences and paragraphs.
This mirrors how you would be expected to read and process information in a real university setting. That’s why mastering this section is not only key to achieving a good TOEFL score but also a strong foundation for academic success.
One of the most common questions test takers ask is: “What is the format of the TOEFL Reading section?” Here’s a detailed breakdown of the structure.
The updated TOEFL iBT (as of July 2023) includes:
2 reading passages
Each passage is approximately 700 words long.
Each passage is followed by 10 questions.
This is a major change from the older format, which had 3 or 4 passages. The newer version reduces the length and time of the test, helping reduce fatigue without compromising the assessment quality.
You will answer 20 questions in total (10 per passage). Each question is worth 1 point.
You will have 35 minutes to complete the Reading section. This breaks down to about 17–18 minutes per passage and its associated questions. Time management is crucial for success.
There are several distinct question formats in the TOEFL Reading section. Each one assesses a different reading skill. Here is a breakdown of the question types you will encounter:
These ask you to find specific details stated directly in the passage. They often use phrases like “According to the passage…” or “The passage states that…”
These require you to identify information that is not true according to the passage. It’s important to scan all options and eliminate those supported by the text.
These questions ask you to make logical conclusions based on the information provided, even if it’s not directly stated.
These focus on the meaning of a word as used in the passage, often testing your understanding of synonyms, definitions, and nuance.
These involve identifying what a pronoun or noun phrase refers to in the previous sentence.
These questions test your ability to identify the simplest form of a complex sentence while maintaining the original meaning.
You will be shown a new sentence and asked where it fits best in a paragraph. This tests your understanding of paragraph structure and coherence.
These appear at the end of a passage and ask you to choose 3 out of 6 statements that best summarize the passage’s main ideas.
Understanding the nature of the reading passages can help you prepare more effectively.
TOEFL reading passages come from academic subjects such as:
History
Biology
Psychology
Geology
Astronomy
Economics
Anthropology
However, you do not need any prior knowledge of these subjects. The test is designed so that all the information needed to answer the questions is contained within the passage itself.
The passages are written in a formal academic tone and often include:
Technical vocabulary
Cause-effect relationships
Comparisons and contrasts
Definitions and examples
This is why it’s beneficial to practice reading scholarly articles, journals, or university-level textbooks to build familiarity.
Each correct answer is worth one point. The raw score (0–20) is converted to a scaled score (0–30). Your final Reading score appears on your TOEFL score report along with the other section scores.
Advanced (24–30): Strong academic reading skills
High-Intermediate (18–23): Can manage most academic reading tasks
Low-Intermediate (4–17): May struggle with complex readings
Below Basic (0–3): Limited understanding of academic text
Understanding your score helps identify strengths and areas that need improvement.
To do well in the TOEFL Reading section, focus on building the following skills:
Skimming helps you get the general idea of the passage.
Scanning allows you to locate specific information quickly.
Knowing a wide range of academic vocabulary helps with context questions and overall comprehension.
Be able to find the main point of paragraphs and the thesis of the passage.
Practice identifying cause-effect relationships and drawing inferences from text.
Since the section is timed, you must practice pacing yourself to answer all questions within the time limit.
Yes. You can return to previous questions within the same passage while your time for that section is active.
No. The passages may vary in difficulty, but they are not arranged in any specific order.
No prior knowledge is needed. Any technical terms will be defined in the passage.
The TOEFL iBT Reading section consists of 2 academic passages, each followed by 10 questions.
You have 35 minutes to complete this section.
There are 8 types of questions, each testing different reading skills.
The content is academic but self-contained, requiring no outside knowledge.
Scoring is based on correct answers, and results are scaled to a 0–30 score.
Regular practice with academic texts, vocabulary, and question strategies is essential for success.
If you’re aiming to get a high TOEFL score, mastering the Reading section is essential. This lesson gives you the foundational understanding you need. In the next lesson, we’ll dive deeper into the specific changes in the new TOEFL Reading format so you’re 100% up-to-date and test-ready.