Starting January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT® test will be updated to better reflect how today’s students use English in modern academic environments.

Here’s what’s changing, and why it matters to you:

• An adaptive test experience: The updated TOEFL iBT will become adaptive, adjusting to each student's ability level. This creates a more efficient and personalized test experience, one that allows students to showcase their full potential.
• More relevant language: The test now features a broader mix of English, not just on traditional topics like Greek mythology, but modern, relatable content that better reflects what students will encounter in today's higher education settings.
• Updated score scale: We're introducing an updated score scale (1 - 6 in half-point increments) that more intuitively aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), which guides many global students' English learning journeys.

Test Section and Timing Overview

Use the table below to view the breakdown of each TOEFL iBT test section.

_{1 The number of items may change before January 21, 2026 due to optimization. The number of Reading and Listening items depends on whether a test taker receives pretest items. All test takers will receive either Reading or Listening pretest items.}
2 The estimated time does not include the time taken for tasks like adjusting audio volume or reading introductory instructions.

Visit our resources hub to prepare students for the TOEFL iBT test.

The TOEFL iBT test is offered two ways:

• TOEFL iBT test: on a computer at an authorized test center
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition: on a computer at home, monitored by a live human proctor
• TOEFL iBT Paper Edition: The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition test will no longer be offered after January 20, 2024, but Paper Edition test scores remain valid and accepted for two years after the test date.

• Starting January 21, 2026, receive four section scores, as well as an overall score, on the 1 – 6 scale.
• The overall score will be the average of all four sections, rounded to the nearest half band (for example, if the average of a student's section scores is 5.125, they will receive an overall score of 5).
• For a two-year transition period after January 2026, students will also receive a comparable overall score on the 0 – 120 scale.
• For more details on scoring visit our Score Guidance page.