The establishment of the TOEFL is attributed to the National Council on the Testing of English as a Foreign Language, a distinguished group formed in 1962 that included educators and key figures in educational policy. Their goal was to create a uniform test of English proficiency for foreign students wanting to study in the United States. Responsibility for overseeing the TOEFL was taken over in 1964 by the Modern Language Association, an organization dedicated to the study of language and literature since 1883.

Originally, the TOEFL employed the prevalent method of language instruction, which involved analyzing each aspect of language separately. Today, the TOEFL is recognized by academic and official institutions in 190 countries, making its recognition highly valuable. This is particularly important as many educational programs require a certain TOEFL score for admission, typically ranging from 61 to 100, depending on the specific institution and program.

• TOEFL iBT - This version of the TOEFL is an internet-based, computer-delivered test consisting of four segments: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. It is the preferred choice for most candidates. Participants are required to read on a screen, listen using headphones, speak into a microphone, and type their responses, eliminating the need for pen and paper.
• TOEFL PBT - The TOEFL PBT is a paper-based test, offered in regions with limited internet access. It comprises three parts - reading, listening, and writing, but does not include a speaking component. The test duration is roughly 2.5 hours, shorter than the iBT's 3.5 to 4 hours.
• TOEFL iTP - The TOEFL iTP is designed for a variety of settings to evaluate English language proficiency in reading, listening, structure and written expression, and speaking. It primarily functions as a tool for assessment and diagnosis.

The TOEFL exam also includes 

• TOEFL Essentials: Introduced in 2021, the TOEFL Essentials test is a shorter alternative to the TOEFL iBT, lasting approximately 90 minutes. This test evaluates general English skills, unlike the iBT which focuses on academic English, and features passages from everyday contexts. Recognized by over 500 institutions worldwide, candidates are advised to regularly check and confirm the accepting institutions and their specific requirements for the Essentials test.
• TOEFL Junior: Available in two versions, the TOEFL Junior Test measures English proficiency and provides scores corresponding to the CEFR levels. The Standard Test, lasting two hours, assesses Listening Comprehension, Language Form and Meaning, and Reading Comprehension. Its scores are linked to the MetaMetrics® Lexile® framework, helping educators select appropriate reading materials for students. The TOEFL Junior Speaking Test, a brief 18-minute evaluation, focuses exclusively on assessing students' spoken English skills.
• TOEFL Primary Tests: Designed for young learners aged 8 and older, the TOEFL Primary Tests are crucial tools for educators in identifying students' English strengths, areas for improvement, and overall progress. These one-hour tests comprehensively evaluate listening, reading, and speaking skills, providing a foundation for customized learning plans.