What was the TOEFL Paper-based Test (TOEFL® PBT)?

The TOEFL® PBT test, administered in a paper-and-pencil format, measured test takers’ ability to use and understand English in a classroom setting at the college or university level. It accurately measured how well they could listen, read and write in English while performing academic tasks. It included the TWE® test, a 30-minute writing test. Test takers would write a short essay on one topic from their TWE test books to show their ability to:

generate and organize ideas

support ideas in writing with examples or evidence

use standard written English formats