Everything You Need to Know About the Updated TOEFL iBT Test
- Primo Tutoring
- Feb 6
- 3 min read
In January, 2026, the TOEFL test introduced major updates to its format, timing, and scoring. The online test is now much shorter (approximately one and a half hours), and it focuses more on real academic English. Some other significant changes include the use of adaptive testing in the Reading and Listening sections, as well as a new scoring system that is easier to understand.
Below is a clear explanation of how each section of the TOEFL test has changed.
Reading Section Updates
The Reading section is now adaptive, meaning the test changes its difficulty based on how well the student performs. This allows TOEFL to measure reading ability more accurately while using fewer questions and less time.
What’s changed in Reading:
The section is shorter than before, with fewer questions overall (up to 50 tasks, 30 mins)
All students start with an initial set of questions
If a student performs well, the next set of questions becomes more difficult
If a student performs poorly, the next set becomes easier
Strong early performance allows access to higher scores
Reading passages are shorter and more focused on key academic ideas
Students cannot return to previous questions once they move on
Listening Section Updates
The Listening section now uses the same adaptive testing system as Reading. The goal is to test listening ability more efficiently and reflect real university listening situations.
What’s changed in Listening:
The section is adaptive, with difficulty changing based on performance
All students begin with a standard set of listening questions
Strong performance leads to more challenging listening tasks
Weaker performance leads to simpler tasks and a lower score range
Listening tasks are shorter and more direct (up to 47 tasks, 29 mins)
Content includes conversations, announcements, and short academic talks
Time pressure is higher, so focus and attention are important
Speaking Section Updates
The Speaking section has been simplified and shortened to focus on natural communication. The new format reduces long, memorised responses and instead tests how clearly a student can speak in academic situations.
What’s changed in Speaking:
The section is much shorter than before (up to 11 tasks, 8 mins)
Tasks focus on short, clear spoken responses
Some tasks require repeating what you hear
Other tasks are interview-style questions
There is less focus on long independent speeches
Clarity, organisation, and pronunciation are prioritised
Fluency and grammar are still assessed, but perfection is not required
Writing Section Updates
The Writing section now focuses on practical academic writing rather than long essays. Students are tested on how clearly they can express ideas in written English.
What’s changed in Writing:
The section is shorter with fewer tasks (up to 12 tasks, 23 mins)
Long essay-style writing has been reduced
Tasks may include building sentences or short written responses
Some tasks involve responding to an academic topic or discussion
Clear structure and idea development are very important
Grammar and vocabulary are assessed, but clarity matters most
New TOEFL Scoring System
Along with changes to each section, the TOEFL scoring system has also been updated. The new system is designed to be easier to understand and compare internationally.
What’s changed in scoring:
Scores are now given on a 1.0 to 6.0 scale
Half scores are possible, such as 4.5 or 5.5
The new scale aligns with international English levels (such as CEFR)
During a transition period (until 2028), score reports may show both the new scale and the old 0-120 point score
In the future, only the new 1.0–6.0 scale will be used
Final Thoughts
The updated TOEFL test is shorter, more adaptive, and more focused on real academic English. These changes reward students who can read efficiently, listen actively, speak clearly, and write in an organised way. Understanding how the new format works is an important first step in preparing effectively for the TOEFL test.
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