TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an international academic English exam frequently required by universities in the US and Canada. Starting January 21, 2026, the iBT format changed significantly: the test is now twice as short, scores are calculated on a 1–6 scale instead of 0–120, and tasks have been completely overhauled. Here is a breakdown of how the exam works now and where to start your preparation.
What is the TOEFL
The TOEFL iBT tests four skills in an academic context: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. You take it on a computer—either at an authorized test center or at home with live proctoring via video. Results are accepted by over 13,000 organizations in 160+ countries, and the certificate is valid for 2 years from the test date.
In terms of language proficiency, this corresponds to B2–C1. Compared to IELTS, TOEFL is more popular in the US and Canada, while IELTS is preferred in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand; the choice depends on where you are applying. If you need a lifetime proficiency certificate rather than a score, consider the Cambridge exams.
What changed in 2026
The update took effect on January 21, 2026. If you prepared using materials from previous years or advice from people who took it earlier, check this table—some familiar benchmarks no longer apply.
| Parameter | Before | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Scale | 0–30 per section, 0–120 total | 1–6 per section and overall score |
| Overall score | sum of four sections | average of four sections, rounded to the nearest half-band |
| Duration | about 3 hours | about 2 hours |
| Tasks | long integrated tasks (text + lecture → response) | short targeted tasks: writing, discussion, phrase repetition, interview |
| Results | 4–8 days | approximately 3 days |
An important note for the transition period: for two years after January 2026, score reports will show both the 1–6 band score and a comparable score on the previous 0–120 scale. So if a university requirement states "90 points," your result can still be mapped against this threshold as universities gradually update their admission requirements.
Structure and tasks
The four sections run consecutively with no general break. Below is the timing for the updated format.
| Section | Time | Tasks | What it tests |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | ~30 minutes | about 50 | vocabulary and comprehension of everyday and academic texts |
| Listening | ~29 minutes | about 47 | dialogues, announcements, and academic lectures by ear |
| Writing | ~23 minutes | 12 | sentence construction, email writing, academic discussion |
| Speaking | ~8 minutes | 11 | speech clarity and ability to answer questions |
The test is adaptive: tasks adjust based on your answers, so the timing and number of questions may vary slightly among test-takers. Each section consists of several task types:
- Reading. "Complete the Words" — restore partially erased words in a short text; "Read in Daily Life" — notices, messages, short informational texts; "Read an Academic Passage" — a brief university-level excerpt.
- Listening. Choose an appropriate response to a heard phrase, and comprehend conversations, announcements, and academic lectures.
- Writing. "Build a Sentence" — assemble a grammatically correct sentence from words; "Write an Email" — a request, information, or proposal of a solution; "Write for an Academic Discussion" — express and justify an opinion in an online academic discussion by replying to peers.
- Speaking. "Listen and Repeat" — repeat heard sentences word for word; "Take an Interview" — answer questions about your experience and opinion in an interview simulation.
The main consequence of the reform is that long integrated tasks, which required combining a read text with a heard lecture, are gone. Advice on note-taking during lectures and 300-word essay templates belongs to the old format—the exam now resembles a series of short, dense tasks where linguistic precision matters more than the volume of text produced.
Scores and CEFR levels
The overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half-band: for example, an average of 5.25 yields a final score of 5.5. The new scale maps directly to CEFR levels, making it immediately clear what language proficiency is expected of you.
| Score | CEFR | Comparable to 0–120 | What this means in practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | C2 | 114 and above | fluent proficiency in an academic environment |
| 5.5 | C1 | 107–113 | comfortably exceeds requirements for competitive programs |
| 5.0 | C1 | 95–106 | confident studies at an English-language university |
| 4.5 | B2 | 86–94 | typical threshold for many programs |
| 4.0 | B2 | 72–85 | minimum for a significant portion of undergraduate degrees |
| 3.5 | B1 | 58–71 | usually insufficient for admission |
Always check the exact threshold on the program's website: requirements differ even within the same university. Master's programs and humanities usually have higher requirements than bachelor's degrees and technical majors; sometimes a minimum score for Speaking or Writing is set separately, and the overall score will not compensate for it.
Unofficial Reading and Listening results appear right at the end of the test—you will get a general idea of how you did before leaving your computer.
How and where to take the test
Two ways to take the iBT are currently available: at an authorized test center and at home via the Home Edition format—the same exam, but taken on your own computer under the supervision of a live proctor via video. You will need a private room, a working camera and microphone, a workspace check before starting, and a valid photo ID. ETS does not currently offer other testing options; separate formats mentioned in older articles are no longer active—focus on the iBT.
Practical rules that people most often trip up on:
- Cost depends on the country—the exact amount is shown when selecting a test location on the ETS website. Additional services are priced separately: rescheduling costs 69 dollars, and additional score reports follow standard pricing.
- Registration closes 7 days before the test date; later registrations incur an urgency fee, up to 2 days before the exam.
- Retakes are unlimited, but no more than once every 3 days. The system will not allow you to book a date falling within this three-day interval.
- MyBest Scores combine your best scores for each section across all valid test attempts from the last two years. Many universities accept this option, meaning a second attempt can help you reach the required score without retaking the entire test.
Vocabulary: what to learn
The foundation of the TOEFL is a large active vocabulary of academic terms. Not colloquial or everyday language: texts and lectures are written in the language of university textbooks, where words like significant, constitute, derive, and hypothesis appear in every paragraph.
In the new format, vocabulary is also tested directly: in the Complete the Words task, you must restore partially erased words in a text. Guessing from context is not enough—you must know the word thoroughly, down to its spelling. This is precisely the skill trained through flashcards rather than passive reading.
A reasonable volume guideline is the Academic Word List: 570 word families selected based on frequency in academic texts. Together with general vocabulary, they cover most of what you will encounter in Reading and Listening. It is also worth learning two specific layers: transition words for the writing section (furthermore, nevertheless, consequently) and language of caution (may, tend to, it appears that)—without them, written responses sound too categorical and lose points. Build your vocabulary by topic and reinforce it with spaced repetition, otherwise words learned months before the exam will fade by test day. Try this flashcard:
Preparation plan
Preparation consists of two distinct layers, and they should not be mixed.
Layer one: language. Raise your level to confident B2–C1: vocabulary, reading complex texts, and understanding lectures by ear. This is the longest part: moving from B1 usually takes several months; timeframes are outlined in the guide how long it takes to learn English. Test format practice will not help here: if your vocabulary is lacking, no test-taking technique will save you.
Layer two: format. Official practice tests, the habit of typing answers on a keyboard and speaking into a microphone under a timer, and time management. A few weeks are enough, but only when your English is already at the right level. Starting with mock tests while at a weak B1 level is a waste of time: you will just be measuring your current level instead of raising it.
Practice the speaking part from day one: the "Listen and Repeat" task evaluates speech clarity and precision, while the interview tests your ability to speak at a natural pace without long pauses. This cannot be rushed; see spoken English. Practical timeframe guide: from B1 to readiness takes six months or more; from strong B2, 1–2 months dedicated to the test format.
Frequently asked questions
What is the TOEFL?
An international exam in academic English. The iBT format is taken on a computer—at an authorized center or at home under proctor supervision; results are accepted by over 13,000 organizations in 160+ countries, most commonly by US and Canadian universities.
What TOEFL score do I need?
Since January 21, 2026, a 1–6 scale has been in effect: one point per section, with the overall score being the average of the four sections rounded to the nearest half-band. Benchmark: 4.0 corresponds to level B2, 5.0 to C1. For another two years, score reports will also display a comparable score on the old 0–120 scale, so university requirements like "90 points" can easily be cross-referenced with your result.
How long is the TOEFL exam?
About two hours instead of the previous three: Reading ~30 minutes (about 50 tasks), Listening ~29 minutes (about 47), Writing ~23 minutes (12 tasks), Speaking ~8 minutes (11 tasks). The test is adaptive, so the time and number of tasks may vary slightly.
What changed in the TOEFL in 2026?
The scale changed to 1–6 instead of 0–120, the test was shortened to about two hours, and the tasks were redesigned: instead of long integrated tasks, there are now short ones—completing missing words in a text, writing an email, responding in an academic discussion, repeating heard phrases, and completing an interview. Results arrive in about 3 days instead of 4–8.
TOEFL or IELTS — which should I choose?
It depends on the country and university: TOEFL is more popular in the US and Canada, while IELTS is preferred in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The required language level is roughly equal for both (B2–C1), but the formats differ: TOEFL is fully computer-based with recorded speaking, whereas IELTS includes a live conversation with an examiner for the Speaking section.
How many words do you need to know for the TOEFL?
A confident B2–C1 level with a large reserve of academic vocabulary. A practical benchmark is the Academic Word List (570 word families) plus general vocabulary and linking words for the writing section. In the new format, vocabulary is also tested directly in the Complete the Words task, where you must restore partially erased words in a text.
How long is the TOEFL certificate valid, and how often can I retake it?
Results are valid for 2 years from the test date. You can retake the exam as many times as you like, but no more frequently than once every 3 days. MyBest Scores combines your best section results from all valid attempts over 2 years—many universities accept this format.
How long should I prepare for the TOEFL?
From a B1 level—usually six months or more; from a solid B2—1–2 months to master the format. Raising your overall language proficiency takes the longest, rather than test-taking techniques; level estimations can be found in the guide on study timeframes.
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