How does CollegeCountdown help with SAT/ACT prep?

CollegeCountdown lets teens log SAT and ACT scores section-by-section, builds a personalised test timeline, and provides AI-powered focused practice sessions targeting each student's weakest areas. Parents can monitor practice activity, set target scores, and compare progress against each college on the shortlist.

Can parents monitor their teen's test prep progress?

Yes. Parents have a dedicated monitoring view showing their teen's score history, practice session activity, predicted test-day score range, and a College Readiness indicator per school. Parents can also set prep milestones and send in-app messages directly from the dashboard.

How does the 529 tracker work?

Connect your 529 plan via Plaid to see your current balance, projected growth, and funding gap relative to real-time college cost data — all in one dashboard view alongside scholarships and savings goals.

What is the SECURE 2.0 Roth rollover feature?

SECURE 2.0 §126 allows unused 529 funds to roll into your child's Roth IRA tax-free — up to $35,000 lifetime. CollegeCountdown tracks your 529 open date, eligibility, and logs each rollover against the lifetime cap and annual Roth contribution limit.

How does scholarship matching work?

CollegeCountdown matches scholarships from a database of 5,000+ opportunities based on your teen's state, GPA, intended major, extracurricular activities, and parent employer affiliations. You can track each scholarship through a pipeline from research to award.

🎓Preferred by most US and Canadian universities

TOEFL iBT Prep Guide & Practice Tests

Prepare for TOEFL iBT with full-length timed practice tests, AI-scored integrated writing tasks, instant scoring, and section-level analysis — all inside CollegeCountdown.

Start Your TOEFL Practice Test →Sign in to Dashboard

0–120 total (each section: 0–30)3 question banksFull-length formatAI-powered drillsInstant scoring

Home›Test Prep›TOEFL iBT

About the TOEFL iBT

The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) is administered by ETS and is the leading English-language proficiency test for US and Canadian university admissions. It is accepted by over 11,500 universities in 160+ countries. Unlike the IELTS, the TOEFL iBT is entirely computer-based and administered at ETS testing centers worldwide. The test includes four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years.

Score Range

0–120 total (each section: 0–30)

Question Banks

3 full-length banks

Score Reference

110–120— Advanced

90–109— High

72–89— Upper-intermediate

42–71— Intermediate

Test Format & Sections

TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language — Internet-Based Test)

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Reading20 questions⏱ 35 min0–30

2 academic passages. Multiple choice, prose summary, and table completion questions. Tests reading for gist, detail, inference, and rhetorical purpose.

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Listening28 questions⏱ 41 min0–30

3 lectures and 2 conversations. Tests understanding of main ideas, details, organization, stance, and pragmatic meaning.

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Writing2 questions⏱ 29 minAI-graded (0–30)

Integrated: summarise a lecture vs. reading (20 min). Academic Discussion: respond to a professor prompt (10 min). Scored by ETS AI on official rubrics.

Key Topics Tested

Reading for gist and inferenceProse summary and table completionLecture comprehensionConversation pragmaticsIntegrated writing (read + listen + write)Academic Discussion taskParaphrase and synthesisAcademic vocabulary

Recommended Prep Timeline

A structured study plan tailored for the TOEFL iBT.

3–6 months out

Diagnostic test. Most non-native speakers need 90+ to be competitive; aim for 100+ for top schools.

2–3 months out

Daily listening practice (TED talks, podcasts). Integrated writing templates.

1–2 months out

Full-length timed tests weekly. Speaking practice with recorded responses and self-review.

Final 2 weeks

Test center logistics, timing strategy, and a light review of weak areas.

How CollegeCountdown Helps

Everything you need for effective TOEFL iBT preparation — in one dashboard.

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Full-Length Diagnostics

3 independently generated TOEFL iBT question banks. Take one to establish a baseline, then retake to measure improvement.

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Weak-Area Targeting

AI identifies which TOEFL iBT sub-skills drag your score down and serves focused drills on those exact areas.

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Timed Simulations

Every section runs under real exam conditions with countdown timers. Time management is a learnable skill.

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Instant Section Scores

Scores for each section are returned the moment you submit. No waiting. See exactly where you stand right now.

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AI Writing Feedback

For tests with writing sections, Claude AI evaluates your response against official scoring rubrics and returns detailed feedback.

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Score History & Trends

Every attempt is logged. See your progress over time, detect plateaus early, and know when you're ready for test day.

TOEFL iBT FAQ

What TOEFL score do I need for US universities?

Most universities require a minimum of 80–100. Highly competitive programs and Ivy League schools often require 100–110+. Check each school's specific requirement.

TOEFL vs. IELTS — which should I take?

Most US and Canadian universities prefer TOEFL iBT. IELTS is more widely accepted globally (UK, Australia, NZ). If you're applying to both US and international schools, IELTS may be more convenient.

How is TOEFL Writing scored?

Both writing tasks are scored on a 1–5 scale by the e-rater engine and a human rater, then converted to a 0–30 section score. The Integrated task and Academic Discussion task are weighted equally.

Can I retake the TOEFL?

Yes, with no limit. You must wait at least 3 days between attempts. ETS's MyBest Scores feature lets you combine your best section scores from multiple attempts (not all schools accept MyBest).

How does CollegeCountdown help with TOEFL prep?

Full-length TOEFL iBT simulations with timed Reading and Listening sections, AI-scored Writing tasks evaluated against ETS rubrics, and instant composite and sectional scores.

Also Preparing For

View all 8 tests →

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