If you\u2019re planning to take the TOEFL in 2026 or later, understanding these updates is essential. Let\u2019s break down everything you need to know about the new TOEFL format, from section structure to timing and scoring, so you can prepare smarter and stay ahead of the changes.<\/p>\n
Here is a description of the major changes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n The new TOEFL iBT will continue to have the MyBest score on the score report for a test. As a reminder, MyBest score is a combination of the best scores that a test-taker has gotten on each section of tests that have been taken in the last two years.<\/em><\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Previously, the Reading section had two long passages (about 700 words each) and 10 standard questions per passage. Now, ETS is introducing a multistage adaptive format<\/span> \u2014 meaning the difficulty level of questions will adjust based on how you perform as you go. 2. Read in Daily Life<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 You will read short, practical texts like emails, announcements, or social media posts (15\u2013150 words each). 3. Read an Academic Passage<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 You will read a short academic text (around 200 words). These changes make the reading tasks shorter, more focused, and diverse, testing your ability to understand both academic and everyday English.<\/p>\n \u23f1 Estimated time: About 27 minutes<\/span> (reduced from 36 minutes) <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Listening section will also move to a multistage adaptive format<\/span>, meaning the difficulty of questions will adapt to each test taker\u2019s performance. In the past, the Listening section had 3 lectures and 2 conversations, all following a fixed format. 2. Listen to a Conversation<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Short everyday or campus-life conversations (e.g., student-to-student). 3. Listen to an Announcement<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Campus or classroom announcements (40\u201385 words). 4. Listen to an Academic Talk<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 Short lectures (100\u2013250 words). These updates make the Listening section more interactive and realistic, similar to what you\u2019d encounter in real campus settings.<\/p>\n \u23f1 Estimated time: About 27 minutes<\/span> (reduced from 41 minutes) <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Previously, the Writing section consisted of 2 tasks (1 Integrated and 1 Independent). Starting in January 2026, the section will feature three task types focusing on shorter, functional writing. The total time will be about 23 minutes (reduced from around 35 minutes). The new format will assess 12 total items. 2. Write an Email<\/span><\/strong>: You will write a short email in response to a specific situation. The context and specific requirements for the content of the email response are written on the screen. The time limit to complete the task is 7 minutes.<\/p>\n 3. Writing for an Academic Discussion<\/span><\/strong>: This task remains from the current format. You will write a post on a class discussion board supporting an opinion on a specific topic. The time limit to complete the task is 10 minutes.<\/p>\n These updates emphasize both academic and practical writing skills, making the tasks shorter, more focused, and diverse.<\/p>\n \u23f1 Estimated time: About 23 minutes<\/span> (reduced from around 35 minutes) <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Speaking section previously had 4 tasks (1 Independent and 3 Integrated tasks). Starting in January 2026, the section will be restructured with 2 new, short task types. The total time will be about 8 minutes (reduced from around 17 minutes). The new format will assess 11 total items. 2. Take an Interview<\/span><\/strong> (4 questions): You will respond to a simulated interview on a familiar topic. The interviewer asks follow-up questions. Questions are only heard and not written on the screen, and are provided by a video that simulates an interview situation. Responses are related to giving factual information, describing an experience, or giving an opinion on a topic. There is no preparation time for each response, and you have 45 seconds of recording time.<\/p>\n This revised section focuses on spontaneous response and real-time verbal communication skills.<\/p>\n \u23f1 Estimated time: About 8 minutes<\/span> (reduced from around 17 minutes) <\/p>\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The new TOEFL iBT, starting in January 2026, is changing to enhance efficiency and reinforce practical English skills. With a shorter test time, the introduction of the adaptive format, and new real-world question types, a fresh, targeted study strategy is essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n * Shorter Test Time<\/strong>: Reduced from three hours to under two hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n Due to these major updates, trying to analyze and prepare for the new test alone can be inefficient and overwhelming.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/mliesl.edu\/contents\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/12\/TOEFL-iBT-2026-2-1-1024x683.png\")
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<Key Changes to the New TOEFL Format><\/h2>\n
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The Reading and Listening sections will be in a multistage adaptive format. This means that the difficulty of the questions in the next stage of each section will be changed based on a test-taker’s performance in the previous stage.
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The total test time will be reduced to under 2 hours<\/span>.
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Content will be updated to include a wider mix of academic topics and more relevant, modern, and fair content, including real-life campus and daily situations.
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In addition to the traditional 0\u2013120 score, a new 1\u20136 banded score<\/span> (in half points – for example, 3.0 and 3.5) will be introduced for each section, which is similar to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). The total score of the new TOEFL iBT is the average of the banded scores from each section of the test.
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On the new version of the test, the order of sections will be Reading, Listening, Writing, and then Speaking<\/span>.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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1. Reading Section: Structure & New Task Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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What\u2019s even more interesting is the introduction of three new task types designed to reflect real-life and academic reading experiences:
1. Complete the Words<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 You will fill in missing letters in academic paragraphs.
Each paragraph includes 10 incomplete words.<\/p>\n
Each text has 2\u20133 multiple-choice questions.<\/p>\n
Each passage has 5 multiple-choice questions.<\/p>\n
\u2753 Total items: 35\u201348<\/span> (instead of 20 questions)<\/p>\n2. Listening Section: Structure & New Task Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Starting January 2026, the section becomes more dynamic with four new task types combining academic and conversational listening:
1. Listen and Choose a Response<\/span><\/strong> \u2013 You will hear a short statement or question and select the appropriate response.
The text is not shown on screen \u2014 you will only be able to hear the statement or question..<\/p>\n
Each conversation is followed by 2 multiple-choice questions.<\/p>\n
Each one is followed by several multiple-choice questions.<\/p>\n
Each lecture is followed by 4 questions.<\/p>\n
\u2753 Total items: 35\u201345<\/span><\/p>\n3. Writing Section: Structure & New Task Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Here are the new task types:
1. Build a Sentence<\/span><\/strong>: You will form a correct sentence from a mix of possible words. The sentence is a response to a statement or question that is written on the screen.<\/p>\n
\u2753 Total items: 12 total items<\/span> (instead of 2 tasks)<\/p>\n4. Speaking Section: Structure & New Task Types<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The two new task types are:
1. Listen and Repeat<\/span><\/strong> (7 questions): You will hear a short sentence and must repeat it exactly. Sentences are only heard and not written on the screen. All sentences will be based on the same picture that is on screen. Based on the information in each sentence, arrows, shapes, or highlighting may be added to the picture. The sentences become longer and more difficult. There is no preparation time for each sentence, and you have 8 to 12 seconds of recording time.<\/p>\n
\u2753 Total items: 11 total items<\/span> (instead of 4 tasks)<\/p>\n
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<Why the 2026 Changes Matter & How to Prepare for the New TOEFL><\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
* Adaptive Testing<\/strong>: The Reading and Listening sections will use a multistage adaptive format.
* New Scoring Scale<\/strong>: A new 1-6 banded score (similar to CEFR) will be introduced alongside the traditional 0-120 score.
* Enhanced Practicality<\/strong>: Shorter, functional tasks related to real-life campus and daily situations are being added across all four sections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\u00a0<\/h1>\n
Have Questions About the New TOEFL? Ask Anytime!<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n