ACT vs TOEFL: All You Need to Know About the Tests!

If you're an international student or a non-native English speaker planning to apply to colleges in the United States, you'll likely need to take both the TOEFL and ACT for admission. This comprehensive guide is tailored for students preparing for both the TOEFL exam and the ACT test, helping you understand the key requirements for U.S. colleges. In this article, we will explore what colleges look for in these tests, the major differences between the TOEFL vs. ACT, and how you can effectively prepare for both exams.

Keep reading to discover essential strategies for achieving success in both the TOEFL and ACT, and boost your chances of getting into your dream college.

ACT vs TOEFL

Aspect	ACT	TOEFL
Purpose	Assesses readiness for college in the United States	Measures English language proficiency for non-native speakers
Sections	English, Mathematics, Reading, Science, and optional Writing	Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing
Duration	2 hours 55 minutes (without Writing), 3 hours 40 minutes (with Writing)	Approximately 3 hours
Scoring	Composite score of 1-36, Writing scored separately (2-12)	Each section scored 0-30, total score 0-120
Format	Paper-based or computer-based	Primarily computer-based
Test Locations	Offered primarily in the United States and some international locations	Offered in over 160 countries worldwide
Frequency	Multiple test dates throughout the year	Multiple test dates throughout the year, available weekly
Reading Section	35 minutes, 40 questions, four passages	54-72 minutes, 30-40 questions, 3-4 passages
Listening Section	Not included	41-57 minutes, 28-39 questions, multiple audio recordings
Speaking Section	Optional (Writing section may include an essay)	17 minutes, 4 tasks
Writing Section	40 minutes (optional essay)	50 minutes, 2 tasks
Skills Assessed	English grammar and usage, reading comprehension, mathematical reasoning, scientific analysis, and writing skills (if opted)	Reading, listening, speaking, and writing in English
Preparation Materials	Official ACT prep books, practice tests, and online resources	Official TOEFL prep books, practice tests, online resources, and apps
Acceptance	Primarily used by U.S. colleges and universities	Accepted by over 11,500 universities and institutions globally for admission of non-native English speakers
Cost	Varies by location, generally between $55-$70 (additional fee for Writing section)	Approximately $200, varies by location

College Requirements for Admission

The following are important requirements for college admission:

U.S. colleges ask non-native English speakers to take two tests for admission. One is the TOEFL, which shows your English language skills. The other is the ACT, which shows your reasoning and problem-solving skills.
You have other options too. Instead of the TOEFL, you can take the IELTS. Instead of the ACT, you can take the SAT. But this guide focuses on the TOEFL and ACT.
Colleges have different rules. Some might not need the TOEFL if you've taken English classes in high school or scored well on the English and Reading parts of the ACT.
Make sure you know what tests your colleges require so you don't take extra ones. Read on for tips on where to find these test requirements.
If you are a non-native English speaker applying to college, you will likely need to take both the TOEFL and the ACT. However, colleges have different rules, so it's important to research before signing up for any tests.
You can usually find the information you need on the admissions page of a college's official website. Look specifically at the section for international applicants. Even if you are a U.S. citizen, this section is where colleges often share their TOEFL requirements.

Everything about TOEFL

The TOEFL is a test that measures your English language skills. Most students take the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) on a computer. The score range for the TOEFL iBT is from 0 to 120.

In some countries, the test is available on paper as the TOEFL PBT (paper-based test), which has a score range from 310 to 677. Both versions of the test include four main sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

TOEFL Structure

The TOEFL evaluates four main English skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, in that order. The length of the Reading and Listening sections can vary if you get extra experimental questions. These extra questions won't affect your score, but you won't know which ones they are, so you need to answer all questions seriously.

The chart below shows the length of each TOEFL section and a brief description of the tasks in each:

Order	Section	Time Limit	Questions	Tasks
1	Reading	60–80 minutes	36–56 questions	Read 3 or 4 passages from academic texts and answer questions.
2	Listening	60–90 minutes	34–51 questions	Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions.
	Break	10 minutes	—	—
3	Speaking	20 minutes	6 tasks	Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks.
4	Writing	50 minutes	2 tasks	Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing.
	Total:	3 hours, 20 min - 4 hours, 10 min (break included)

Each section is scored between 0 and 30 points. Your total score is the sum of your section scores, so the maximum possible score is 120.

TOEFL Content

The TOEFL tests your English skills in four main areas. Some sections combine more than one skill. For example, the Speaking section includes both reading and listening tasks. Let's look at each section in the order they appear on the test, starting with Reading.

TOEFL Reading

The Reading section has three to four short passages, mostly from college-level textbooks. These passages can be expository, argumentative, or historical, but they are never fictional.

After each passage, there are questions about the main idea, key details, relationships between ideas, and vocabulary. There are three types of questions: multiple choice, sentence insertions, and Reading to Learn questions.

Multiple Choice: These are basic reading comprehension questions about the meaning of the passage, details, or vocabulary words. For example:
- A question about the meaning of a vocabulary word in the passage.
- A question asking you to make an inference based on the passage.
The second question type, sentence insertions, asks you to place a sentence into a paragraph where it fits best. This helps clarify the meaning or organization of the passage.
Reading to Learn questions are the most complex. They require you to sort information into a chart, either by categories or in chronological order. These multi-part questions may offer partial credit.
When you learn about the ACT, you'll see some similarities with the TOEFL Reading section. Both tests have reading comprehension questions, and the sentence insertion questions on the TOEFL are similar to those on the ACT English section.

TOEFL Listening

The Listening section measures your understanding of spoken English. You'll listen to academic lectures or conversations, usually between students or between a student and a professor or coach.

You can take notes while listening. Afterward, you'll answer questions about what you heard. These questions are similar to those in the Reading section and include multiple choice questions about main points, key details, vocabulary, and cause and effect. Some questions will ask you to list events in order.

TOEFL Speaking

This section tests your speaking skills. Unlike the other sections, which focus on your ability to understand English, this one evaluates how well you can produce spoken English. You'll record your answers on a computer.

The Speaking section includes two types of tasks: independent and integrated.

Independent Speaking Tasks: You'll speak for 45 seconds on a familiar topic. You can share your ideas, opinions, observations, or experiences. You'll have 15 seconds to prepare your response.
Integrated Speaking Tasks: These tasks are based on a passage and/or a recording. You'll read or listen, then answer a question, which might ask you to summarize the content or suggest solutions to a problem. For the first two integrated tasks, you'll have 30 seconds to prepare and 45 seconds to speak. For the next two, you'll have 20 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to speak.

Your responses should be well-structured and thoughtful, much like a spoken essay. Next, let's move on to the final section, the Writing section.

TOEFL Writing

The Writing section has two tasks, similar to the Speaking section: one integrated and one independent.

Integrated Writing Task: You'll read a passage and listen to a lecture or conversation. Then, you'll have 20 minutes to summarize and possibly compare and contrast the two selections.
Independent Writing Task: You'll write an essay presenting your opinion and supporting it with examples. You'll have 30 minutes to complete this task. A typical example might ask you to discuss your view on a particular topic.

A word counter under each text box will show how many words you've written. Your responses will be graded on organization, grammar, usage, and accuracy.

This section, like the others, is challenging, even for students with advanced English skills. The TOEFL, like the ACT and other college admissions tests, requires thorough preparation. To help you get started, here are some strategies for preparing for the TOEFL.

Everything about ACT

The ACT focuses more on academic skills and college readiness compared to the TOEFL, which primarily tests English language proficiency. In addition to verbal sections like Reading and English, the ACT includes math and science sections.

The ACT's Science section has become increasingly popular among international students in recent years. This is because the SAT, another college admissions test, leans more towards verbal skills. Many non-native English speakers prefer the ACT's emphasis on math and science.

ACT Structure

The ACT consists of four main sections: English, Math, Reading, and Science, in that order. There's also an optional fifth section, Writing, where students write an essay.

Each section is scored from 1 to 36, and the total score, which considers all sections, ranges from 1 to 36. Below is the structure of the entire test and the number of questions in each section:

Order	Section	Time in Minutes	# of Questions
1	Reading	65	52
2	Writing and Language	35	44
3	Math No Calculator	25	20
4	Math Calculator	55	38
5	Essay (optional)	50	1
	Total:	3 hours, 50 minutes (3 hours without essay)	154 (+ 1 essay prompt)

ACT Content

The ACT has four or five main sections, depending on whether you opt for the Writing section. Your decision to include Writing should mainly depend on college requirements. If you're unsure about your college choices, it's wise to include Writing to keep your options open.

Unlike the TOEFL, the ACT is a paper-based test. The first section is English, which tests various language skills through multiple choice questions.

ACT English

This section includes five passages with multiple choice questions that test your understanding of English grammar and usage. Questions cover grammar rules like parallel structure, verb tense, punctuation, word choice, and paragraph organization. All questions are passage-based and contextual.

ACT Math

The Math section consists of 60 questions to be answered in 60 minutes. It covers topics like pre-algebra, algebra, geometry, trigonometry, complex numbers, and data analysis. You won't receive any formulas, so you need to know them beforehand.

ACT Reading

You'll encounter four passages, including one set of paired passages, followed by ten questions each. Passages are from prose fiction, social science, humanities, and natural science. Questions cover main idea, details, vocabulary, function, development, and inferences.

ACT Science

This section doesn't require prior scientific knowledge. It tests scientific skills such as interpreting passages, data from graphics, and evaluating experimental designs. You'll encounter seven passages, including data representation, research summaries, and conflicting viewpoints.

ACT Writing (Optional)

In the Writing section, you'll write one essay in 40 minutes. You'll be given a prompt asking you to evaluate multiple perspectives on an issue and present your own stance, supported by examples.

TOEFL and ACT: Similarities and Differences

Aspect	TOEFL	ACT
Purpose	Tests English language proficiency	Focuses on reasoning and problem-solving skills
Sections	Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing	English, Math, Reading, Science, optional Writing
Math and Science Sections	No	Yes
Verbal Section Waivers	Some colleges may waive TOEFL requirement with high ACT verbal scores	N/A
Overlapping Sections	Reading section of TOEFL and Reading/English sections of ACT	N/A
English Proficiency	Essential for both tests, particularly evident in oral and written tasks	Essential for verbal sections of ACT, but also required for interpreting passages and understanding questions
Time Management Skills	Important for both tests due to timed nature	Crucial for both tests as they require efficient use of time

ACT and TOEFL: Key Points

Most U.S. colleges require either the ACT or SAT from all applicants.
Non-native English speakers must also take the TOEFL or IELTS to demonstrate English proficiency.
These tests assess language and academic skills necessary for success in college-level classes.
Research college requirements before signing up for tests, as policies vary.
Some colleges may waive the TOEFL requirement with a high ACT verbal score.
Start test prep early, ideally in 10th grade, to allow time for improvement and retakes if needed.
College planning may not perfectly align with test prep, so early preparation ensures readiness.
Even if unsure about college choices, taking these tests is advisable for studying in the US.
Colleges generally expect applicants to submit TOEFL and ACT scores with their applications.
Start early, study efficiently, and aim for target scores to apply to a wide range of colleges.

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