The three sections you will practice
The TOEFL ITP Level 1 has about 140 multiple-choice questions in roughly 115 minutes, split across three sections. There is no Speaking or Writing. Here is what each section tests and how many questions to expect.
The three section scaled scores combine into a total from 310 to 677. See the full breakdown in the TOEFL ITP guide, or work out your total and CEFR level with the TOEFL ITP score calculator.
Structure and Written Expression practice
This section is unique to the ITP and often decides scores, because it is pure grammar. It has two question types. In Structure, you complete a sentence with the correct word or phrase. In Written Expression, you find the one underlined part that contains an error. Try these, then reveal the answer.
Structure: choose the answer that best completes the sentence
1. _______ in 1969, the library is one of the oldest buildings on campus. (A) Built (B) It was built (C) Building (D) To build
Answer: (A) Built. A reduced clause opening with a past participle ("Built in 1969") describes the subject that follows, "the library." Option (B) creates two complete sentences with no connecting word, which is not allowed.
2. The professor, along with her research assistants, _______ presenting the findings at the conference. (A) are (B) is (C) were (D) have been
Answer: (B) is. The subject is "the professor," which is singular. The phrase "along with her research assistants" is extra information and does not change the number of the verb, so the verb stays singular.
3. Not until the final chapter _______ the identity of the narrator. (A) the author reveals (B) does the author reveal (C) the author does reveal (D) reveals the author
Answer: (B) does the author reveal. When a negative expression like "Not until" begins a sentence, the subject and auxiliary verb invert, exactly as they do in a question: "does the author reveal."
4. The committee could not agree on _______ the new policy should take effect. (A) when (B) when will (C) the time when will (D) when will be
Answer: (A) when. This is a noun clause after the preposition "on," so it uses normal statement word order with no inversion: "when the new policy should take effect."
Written Expression: choose the underlined part that is not correct
5. The number of students (A) who applies for financial aid (B) has risen (C) sharply (D) this year.
Answer: (A) who applies. The relative pronoun "who" refers to "students," which is plural, so it needs "who apply." The main verb "has risen" is correct because it agrees with "The number," which is singular.
6. (A) Despite of the heavy rain, the outdoor ceremony (B) proceeded (C) exactly (D) as planned.
Answer: (A) Despite of. "Despite" is never followed by "of." The correct forms are "Despite the heavy rain" or "In spite of the heavy rain."
7. The research team (A) has made (B) a significant progress (C) toward (D) understanding the disease.
Answer: (B) a significant progress. "Progress" is an uncountable noun, so it cannot take the article "a." The correct phrase is "significant progress."
8. Neither the manager nor the employees (A) was (B) aware (C) of the (D) sudden change in schedule.
Answer: (A) was. With "neither ... nor," the verb agrees with the nearer subject. The nearer subject here is "the employees," which is plural, so the verb must be "were."
Reading Comprehension practice
The Reading section gives you academic passages followed by questions on main idea, specific detail, inference, vocabulary in context, and what a pronoun refers to. The skills are almost identical to the TOEFL iBT Reading section, so iBT reading practice transfers directly. Here is a short sample.
Coral reefs support roughly a quarter of all marine species, yet they cover less than one percent of the ocean floor. Their survival depends on a narrow range of temperature and water clarity, which is why even small environmental shifts can cause widespread bleaching.
9. The word "widespread" in the passage is closest in meaning to (A) permanent (B) extensive (C) sudden (D) natural
Answer: (B) extensive. "Widespread" means spread over a large area or affecting many things, which matches "extensive." The other options describe timing or cause, not how far the bleaching reaches.
10. According to the passage, coral reefs are notable because they (A) cover most of the ocean floor (B) support many species despite their small area (C) are unaffected by temperature (D) grow only in clear water
Answer: (B) support many species despite their small area. The passage contrasts the large share of marine species reefs support with the tiny fraction of the ocean floor they cover. Option (D) is a detail about survival, not the reason they are notable.
For full timed passages with a complete answer key, work through our free TOEFL reading practice tests.
Listening Comprehension practice
The Listening section moves through three parts: short conversations with a single question each, longer conversations, and academic talks. You hear the audio once, so the skill is catching the main idea and key details in real time. Because a static page cannot play audio, the best way to practice this section is with real recordings.
Our free TOEFL listening practice tests use the same conversation and lecture formats the ITP tests, with audio and a full answer key, so they are ideal preparation for ITP Listening.
What your ITP score means
Each section is reported as a scaled score, and the three combine into a total from 310 to 677. ETS maps the total to CEFR levels: 543 and above is B2, 460 and above is B1, and 627 and above is C1. Since the total weights all three sections equally, your weakest section is usually where you can gain the most.
Enter your three section scores in the TOEFL ITP score calculator to get your total and CEFR level instantly, and see the full CEFR table in the TOEFL ITP guide.
How to prepare, section by section
- Structure and Written Expression: review the high-frequency grammar points these questions test, subject-verb agreement, parallel structure, word form, articles with countable and uncountable nouns, and inversion after negatives. Practising error-spotting is the fastest way to lift this section.
- Reading: build speed and inference with timed passages. Use our reading practice, since the ITP and iBT reading skills overlap almost completely.
- Listening: train with real audio, not transcripts, so you get used to catching detail the first time. Our listening practice uses the same formats.
- Take a full free TOEFL mock test to find your weakest area under timed conditions, then focus your prep there.
Frequently asked questions
Is there a free TOEFL ITP practice test?
Yes. This page has free sample questions with answers for all three ITP sections, and our free TOEFL reading and listening practice tests use the same question formats, so they work well as ITP preparation for those two sections.
How many questions are on the TOEFL ITP?
TOEFL ITP Level 1 has about 140 multiple-choice questions in roughly 115 minutes: 50 in Listening Comprehension, 40 in Structure and Written Expression, and 50 in Reading Comprehension.
What is the hardest section of the TOEFL ITP?
For many test-takers it is Structure and Written Expression, because it tests grammar precisely and quickly. The good news is that it is very learnable: the same grammar points appear again and again, so targeted practice pays off fast.
Does TOEFL iBT practice help for the ITP?
Yes, for Reading and Listening the skills are almost identical, so iBT practice transfers directly. Only the Structure and Written Expression section is unique to the ITP, which is why this page focuses its sample questions there.
How do I turn my practice scores into a total?
Add your three section scaled scores, divide by three, and multiply by ten, which gives a total from 310 to 677. The TOEFL ITP score calculator does this for you and also shows your CEFR level.