TOEFL (Primary) Test of English as Foreign Language

TOEFL Primary Test is designed to help students of age 8 years and more. The test measures level of English proficiency. Based on TOEFL Primary Test Score parents and educators may know the weaker areas of children and further support in learning. TOEFL Primary Test serves to following objectives

• Assess the general English-language proficiency of young students ages 8
• Provide a snapshot of each student's ability in listening, reading and speaking
• Support teaching and learning by giving information about students' abilities in relation to a widely accepted international standard

As a Primary English Educator you can use TOEFL Primary Test Score to

• Guide your teaching goals
• Monitor student progress
• Identify students' strengths and weaknesses
• Determine instructional plans
• Inform placement decisions, if appropriate
• Focus your work with both individual students and groups
• Shape your communication with parents about student learning

TOEFL Primary Test Structure

The TOEFL Primary program offers 3 tests to measure a range of skills:

1. TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening test — Step 1 (paper or digitally delivered)
2. TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening test — Step 2 (paper or digitally delivered)
3. TOEFL Primary Speaking test (digitally delivered)

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

The test has two sections. Following given task details: 

• No. of Questions: 36
• No. of Examples: 3
• Total No. of Questions: 39
• Time allowed: 30 minutes

Section Name: Listening

• No. of Questions: 36
• No. of Examples: 5
• Total No. of Questions: 41
• Time allowed: 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 Name: Reading

• No. of Questions: 36
• No. of Examples: 1
• Total No. of Questions: 37
• Time allowed: 30 minutes

Section Name: Listening

• No. of Questions: 36
• No. of Examples: 3
• Total No. of Questions: 39
• Time allowed: 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 Name: Speaking

• No. of Questions 8
• Time allowed: 20 Minutes

TOEFL Primary Test Score

TOEFL Primary Score reports include a variety of information:

• Levels that indicate proficiency
• Proficiency descriptors with meaningful information for each section, including recommendations on next steps that students can take to improve their English-language abilities
• Scale scores that show progress within levels

TOEFL Primary Test Locations

TOEFL Primary Test is administered across 47 countries. In future more contries will added to the list. See official website ETS.Org for details.