TOEFL 2026:
The New Era
Effective January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT transforms from a purely academic assessment to a comprehensive English proficiency test.
What's Changing?
A fundamental shift to measure both academic and real-world language skills.
Reading Section
- 2 academic passages (~700 words each)
- 10 questions per passage
- 36 minutes total duration
- Purely university-level textbook content
- 10 traditional question types (factual, inference, etc.)
- Multiple shorter passages from diverse sources
- Sources: Academic texts, websites, magazines, newspapers
- Adaptive difficulty based on performance
- Estimated 35-50 questions total
- New Task Types:
- Complete the Words NEW
Fill in missing letters in paragraphs - Read in Daily Life NEW
Interpret emails, notices, menus
Key Change
Shift from exclusively academic to mixed academic/real-world content. You must now demonstrate ability to navigate everyday English environments.
Listening Section
- 3 listening passages
- 1 conversation + 2 academic lectures
- ~36 minutes total duration
- 17 questions total (5-6 per passage)
- Standard academic comprehension
- Two-module adaptive structure
- Module 1: Routing (standard)
- Module 2: Difficulty adjusts to performance
- Includes non-academic listening
- New Task Types:
- Choose a Response NEW
Select best reply to prompt - Listen to Announcements NEW
Public/campus announcements
Key Change
Introduction of adaptive testing and non-academic contexts. You cannot return to previous questions in the new listening format.
Speaking Section
- 4 total tasks (1 independent, 3 integrated)
- ~16 minutes total duration
- Task 1: Personal opinion (45s)
- Tasks 2-4: Campus/academic integrated (60s)
- 15-30 seconds preparation time
- Moved to end of test (was second)
- Much shorter, structured format
- 11 questions in 2 sections
- New Task Types:
- Listen and Repeat NEW
7 sentences (campus/daily life) - Take an Interview NEW
4 sustained questions on one topic
Key Change
Complete overhaul from open-ended tasks to interview-style assessment. Significantly higher emphasis on pronunciation, fluency, and rapid response.
Writing Section
- 2 tasks total
- Integrated Writing (20 min)
- Academic Discussion (10 min)
- ~29 minutes total duration
- Essay length: 150-225 words
- 3 tasks total
- Academic Discussion (Maintained)
- Stronger emphasis on practical skills
- New Task Types:
- Build a Sentence NEW
Unscramble mixed-up sentences - Write an Email NEW
7-minute email based on scenario
Key Change
Addition of practical, real-world writing tasks like email composition and sentence construction mechanics.
Strategic Implications
Skills to Maintain
- Academic vocabulary & comprehension
- Note-taking skills (crucial for lectures)
- Synthesis of multiple sources
New Skills to Develop
- Real-world reading: Menus, emails, notices
- Pronunciation clarity: For 'Listen and Repeat'
- Practical writing: Email etiquette & structure
- Fast decision making: Shorter, adaptive test
Important Note on Acceptance
Some top universities (e.g., Oxford) have announced they will not accept 2026 TOEFL scores pending review. Cambridge has stated the test is no longer acceptable. Always check with your target institutions before choosing your test date.
The Bottom Line
The 2026 TOEFL is a comprehensive English proficiency exam that measures real-world communication skills alongside academic abilities.