The Smartest Way to Prepare for the TOEFL Exam with biTOEFL: 2025 Guide
Preparing for the TOEFL exam with the biTOEFL Expert AI Teacher is now transforming into a much more effective, faster, and personalized experience.
What Is TOEFL and Why Is It So Important in Turkey?
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an internationally recognized exam accepted by thousands of universities and institutions worldwide to measure English language proficiency. In Turkey, the vast majority of students who wish to pursue undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral studies abroad encounter this exam. In addition, many foundation universities in Turkey also accept TOEFL scores as valid documentation for exemption exams or scholarship applications.
TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) is the most widely used TOEFL format today. Measuring four core language skills—reading, listening, speaking, and writing—this exam gives candidates a total score between 0-120. Each section is scored on a scale of 0-30. TOEFL Junior, on the other hand, is a more basic-level exam designed for high school students and is increasingly preferred in Turkey as well.
With the growing interest in studying abroad in Turkey in recent years, search volume for the TOEFL exam has also risen noticeably. Searches such as “TOEFL Turkey,” “TOEFL exam dates,” “TOEFL preparation,” and “TOEFL scoring” reveal just how seriously Turkish users approach this exam. This is exactly where biTOEFL comes into play.
How Does Exam Preparation Work with the biTOEFL Expert AI Teacher?
Traditional TOEFL preparation methods usually consist of studying from books, taking courses, and practice tests. While these methods work to a certain extent, every student’s strengths and weaknesses differ. Some struggle with the reading section, while others fall short in the speaking section. A standard curriculum may fail to address these individual differences.
The biTOEFL Expert AI Teacher analyzes each student’s current language level to offer a fully personalized preparation process. The AI identifies areas of weakness and generates tailored content, practice exercises, and instant feedback for these areas. This allows students to use their time efficiently and avoid wasting time on unnecessary topics.
One of biTOEFL’s distinguishing features is that it develops all four core sections of the TOEFL iBT simultaneously:
- Reading: Strategies for quickly and accurately understanding academic texts, vocabulary expansion, and inference techniques.
- Listening: Analyzing academic lectures and conversation recordings, developing note-taking skills, and detail-catching exercises.
- Speaking: Speaking practice with Expert AI, pronunciation correction, response organization, and time management exercises.
- Writing: Learning Integrated and Independent essay structures, argument development, and instant feedback on grammar mistakes.
This integrated approach ensures that students prepare for the exam as a whole without neglecting any skill. biTOEFL effectively eliminates the common problem in traditional preparation processes of “focusing on a single skill while neglecting the others.”
TOEFL iBT Exam Format and Scoring System
The TOEFL iBT exam takes approximately 2 hours. The exam consists of four sections, each scored separately. The reading section contains 2 long academic passages, with multiple-choice questions for each passage. The listening section includes dialogues set in a university environment and academic lectures. In the speaking section, candidates provide spoken responses to given tasks. In the writing section, candidates write both a material-based (integrated) essay and an independent essay.
In terms of scoring, most undergraduate programs at US universities require a TOEFL score between 80-100, while prestigious universities may require a score above 100. For graduate programs, this threshold generally rises to the 90-105 range. Although the exemption scores required by foundation universities in Turkey vary from institution to institution, they typically fall within the 70-85 range.
The scoring system for the TOEFL Junior exam is different. This exam covers reading, listening, and language form sections; it does not include speaking or writing sections. It is used to determine the English level of middle and high school students.
TOEFL Exam Dates and Taking the Exam in Turkey
In Turkey, TOEFL iBT exams are held at test centers authorized by ETS. Exams are held on specific dates throughout the year; however, quotas for popular dates can fill up quickly. Therefore, it is recommended to register at least two months in advance. Registration for the exam is done through ETS’s official website.
Exam results are usually announced online approximately 4-8 days after the exam date. Official TOEFL score reports are sent directly by ETS to the designated institutions. Test centers can be found in many provinces in Turkey, primarily in Istanbul, Ankara, and Izmir.
A Realistic Study Plan for Reaching Your Target TOEFL Score
Many candidates wonder how much time they should allocate when starting TOEFL preparation. The answer varies significantly depending on current English level and target score. To provide a general framework:
- Those starting from B1 level: Generally require 4-6 months of intensive study to reach a target of 70-80 points.
- Candidates at B2 level: 2-4 months may be sufficient for 80-95 points.
- Candidates at C1 level: Can reach their goals with 1-2 months of focused study for 100+ points.
These timeframes are estimates and may vary depending on individual study discipline. Thanks to biTOEFL’s personalized approach, the preparation process can become both shorter and more efficient. The AI teacher determines which topics need to be focused on each week and continuously monitors progress.
An effective TOEFL preparation plan should include the following elements:
- At least 30-60 minutes of active study every day
- Weekly full-length practice exams
- Systematic analysis of mistakes made
- Regular speaking practice at consistent intervals
- Continuous expansion of academic English vocabulary
TOEFL vs. IELTS: Which Exam Is Right for You?
Many candidates in Turkey are undecided about whether to study for TOEFL or IELTS. While both exams are widely accepted internationally, there are important differences between them.
TOEFL iBT is conducted entirely on computer and is particularly preferred by US universities. IELTS, on the other hand, can be taken either on computer or on paper and is more widely accepted by institutions in the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. In TOEFL, the speaking section is evaluated through recordings made into a microphone, whereas in IELTS, this section takes place face-to-face with an examiner.
Your target country and the admission requirements of the institutions you plan to apply to are the most fundamental factors in determining which exam to choose. If your goals involve US or Canadian universities, TOEFL generally stands out as the more advantageous option.
4 Key Features That Make biTOEFL Stand Out
There are several key elements that set biTOEFL apart from other preparation methods. These features make exam preparation more effective and sustainable:
1. Instant Feedback: You receive immediate evaluation of pronunciation, grammar, and content during speaking practice. This allows you to get feedback in seconds that would take weeks to receive through traditional methods.
2. Adaptive Learning: The AI continuously analyzes your performance. It identifies which question types you excel at and which topics you struggle with, and shapes the content accordingly.
3. Flexibility of Time and Place: You can study whenever and wherever you want. You don’t have to be tied to fixed class hours.
4. Comprehensive Content: Offers specially prepared content and exercises for all reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does the TOEFL exam cost in TL?
The fee for the TOEFL iBT exam is set by ETS and constantly changes in Turkish lira terms depending on the exchange rate. The most reliable way to get current pricing information is to check ETS’s official website or contact authorized test centers in Turkey directly. There may also be separate fees for additional score reports, rescheduling, or cancellations.
Is it hard to get 75 on the TOEFL?
Getting a score of 75 on the TOEFL is an achievable goal for a candidate with a B2 English level. To achieve this score, it is sufficient to score around 18-19 points in each of the four skills (reading, listening, speaking, writing). With a regular and planned preparation process, especially using a personalized approach like biTOEFL, it is possible to exceed this target rather than fall short of 75 points. Depending on your starting level and study discipline, 2-4 months of preparation can help you reach this goal.
What is the difference between IELTS and TOEFL?
Although both IELTS and TOEFL are international English language exams, there are important differences between them. TOEFL iBT is conducted entirely in a digital format, and the speaking section is evaluated through microphone recordings; IELTS’s speaking section, on the other hand, takes place face-to-face with an examiner. TOEFL is particularly preferred by US and Canadian universities, while IELTS is more common among institutions in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. In terms of language use, TOEFL is predominantly American English, while IELTS covers both accents. The scoring scales also differ: TOEFL is scored on a 0-120 scale, while IELTS is scored on a 0-9 band.
What is TOEFL and what is it used for?
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an international exam that measures the ability of non-native English speakers to use English in academic settings. It is accepted by more than 11,500 universities and institutions worldwide. In Turkey, this exam is used by students who wish to study at universities abroad, those who want to obtain English preparatory exemption at foundation universities within Turkey, and for certain corporate job applications. The TOEFL score is regarded as one of the most reliable, internationally recognized documents of academic English proficiency.