What is the hardest part in TOEFL?

For students in high school, reading is the hardest section, with a mean score of 18.0. For undergraduates reading is also the hardest section, with a mean score of 20.1. For graduate students not applying to business schools, speaking is the hardest, with a mean score of 21.1. This section challenges participants to demonstrate fluency, accuracy, and the ability to organize and express their thoughts under time constraints.

Another difficult aspect of the Speaking section is the integration of skills it demands. For example, test takers may need to read a passage and listen to a short lecture before speaking about how the ideas in the two sources relate. This complexity can be daunting as it requires good comprehension skills, quick synthesis of information, and the ability to express opinions clearly and effectively.

Additionally, for non-native speakers, the challenge is compounded by the need to manage their accents, pronunciation, and grammar in real-time, which can significantly impact their performance and scores in this high-stakes environment.