TEST SCORES

A. Score Scales

Because TOEFL iBT is signifi cantly different from the previous version of the test, the score
scale is also different. The TOEFL iBT provides scores in four skill areas:
Listening 0–30
Reading 0–30
Speaking 0–30
Writing 0–30
Total Score 0–120
The total score is the sum of the four skill scores.


B. Rating of Speaking and Writing Responses

Speaking

Responses to all six Speaking tasks are digitally recorded and sent to ETS’s Online Scoring
Network. The responses from each test taker are scored by 3 to 6 different certifi ed raters.
The response for each task is rated on a scale of 0 to 4 according to the Rubrics on pages 44
and 45. The average of all six ratings is converted to a scaled score of 0 to 30.
Raters listen for the following features in test taker responses:
Delivery: How clear was the speech? Good responses are fl uid and clear, with good
pronunciation, natural pacing, and natural-sounding intonation patterns.

Language use: How effectively does the test taker use grammar and vocabulary to
convey their ideas? Raters determine the test taker’s ability to control both basic and
more complex language structures, and use appropriate vocabulary.

Topic development: How fully do test takers answer the question and how coherently
do they present their ideas? How well did the test taker synthesize and summarize the
information in the integrated tasks? Good responses generally use all or most of the
time allotted, and the relationship between ideas and the progression from one idea to
the next is clear and easy to follow.

It is important to note that raters do not expect test takers’ responses to be perfect. Even
high-scoring responses may contain occasional errors and minor problems in any of the
three areas described above.

Writing

Responses to all writing tasks also are sent to ETS’s Online Scoring Network. The responses
are rated by 2 to 4 certifi ed raters on a score scale of 0 to 5 according to the Rubrics on pages
46 and 47. The average of the scores on the two writing tasks is converted to a scaled score of
0 to 30.

The response to the integrated writing task is scored on the quality of writing
(organization, appropriate and precise use of grammar and vocabulary) and the
completeness and accuracy of the content.
The independent writing essay is scored on the overall quality of the writing: development,
organization, and appropriate and precise use of grammar and vocabulary.

It is important to note that the raters recognize the responses are fi rst drafts. They do not
expect test takers to produce a well-researched, comprehensive essay. For that reason, test
takers can earn a high score with a response that contains some errors.