Exam Hub
TOEFL iBT
Test of English as a Foreign Language — internet-Based Test — New format from 21 Jan 2026 · Under 90 minutes · Adaptive Reading & Listening · New 1–6 CEFR-aligned score scale
Test Fee (India)
See ets.org/toefl
Duration
Under 90 min
Results In
A few days
Choose TOEFL iBT if…
You are applying to US universities and are comfortable with an adaptive, shorter test.
What changed in 2025–26
- 21 Jan 2026New shorter format (under 90 minutes), adaptive Reading & Listening, new task types, new section order and a new 1–6 CEFR-aligned score scale.
- Old → New · LengthOld: just under 2 hours → New: under 90 minutes.
- Old → New · SpeakingOld: 4 tasks, ≈16 min (independent + integrated) → New: 11 short items, ≈8 min, interview style.
- Old → New · WritingOld: 2 tasks, ≈29 min → New: 12 items incl. email & academic discussion, ≈23 min.
- ≈Jan 2028Comparable 0–120 score expected to be dropped from score reports (1–6 only).
Overview & Key Facts
Conducted By
ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Delivery
TOEFL iBT at an authorised test centre, or TOEFL iBT Home Edition (live human proctor). Paper Edition ended Jan 2024
Test Fee (India)
Varies by country — check the current India price on ets.org/toefl
Score Range
NEW: 1–6 in 0.5 steps, CEFR-aligned. Reports also show a comparable 0–120 score until about Jan 2028
Duration
Under 90 minutes (new 2026 format); plan ~2 hrs with check-in
Section Order
Reading → Listening → Writing → Speaking (new order)
Adaptive?
Yes — Reading & Listening are multistage adaptive
Scoring
Machine/AI scoring; overall = average of 4 section bands, rounded to 0.5
Results
Faster reporting introduced in 2026 — typically a few days
Validity
2 years (pre-21 Jan 2026 scores on the 0–120 scale also stay valid for 2 years)
Retakes
Allowed; fee per attempt (check ETS minimum-gap rules)
Acceptance
Very wide — especially USA; also Canada, UK, Europe, Australia
Exam Pattern & Structure
| Section / Module | Task Types / Content | Duration | Questions | Marks / Weight | Skills |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading (adaptive, 2 modules) | Complete the Words · Read in Daily Life · Read an Academic Passage | ≈27 min | ≈35–48 items | Band 1–6 | Reading |
| Listening (adaptive, 2 modules) | Listen and Choose a Response · Listen to a Conversation · Listen to an Announcement · Listen to an Academic Talk | ≈27 min | ≈35–45 items | Band 1–6 | Listening |
| Writing | Build a Sentence (10) · Write an Email · Write for an Academic Discussion | ≈23 min | 12 items | Band 1–6 | Writing |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat (7) · Take an Interview (4) | ≈8 min | 11 items | Band 1–6 | Speaking |
Scoring System & Requirements
Score Range
1–6 (0.5 steps)
Scale / Increments
Overall = average of 4 sections, rounded to the nearest 0.5
Skill Scores
6 = C2 · 5–5.5 = C1 · 4–4.5 = B2 · 3–3.5 = B1 · 2–2.5 = A2 · 1–1.5 = A1
| Purpose / University | Typical Requirement | Minimum Score | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK – undergraduate | Typical university range — check your course page | 4.0–4.5 / 72–90 | IELTS 6.0–6.5 |
| UK – postgraduate | Typical university range — check your course page | 4.5–5.0 / 90–100 | IELTS 6.5–7.0 |
| USA – most universities | Typical university range — check your course page | 4.5–5.0 / 80–100 | IELTS 6.5–7.0 |
| USA – top universities | Typical university range — check your course page | 5.0–5.5 / 100–110+ | IELTS 7.0–7.5+ |
| Canada – universities | Not accepted for Canada PR (Express Entry) | 4.5 / 86–90 | IELTS 6.5 |
| Australia – universities | Typical university range — check your course page | 4.5 / 79–90 | IELTS 6.5 |
| New Zealand | Typical university range — check your course page | 4.0–4.5 / 79–90 | IELTS 6.0–6.5 |
| Europe (Germany, Ireland, NL, etc.) | Typical university range — check your course page | 4.0–4.5 / 80–90 | IELTS 6.0–6.5 |
Fees & Policies (India)
- Fee (India)
- Varies by country — confirm the India price on ets.org/toefl
- Score Reports
- Free to a set number of institutions at registration; extra reports cost more
- Retakes
- Allowed; fee per attempt (check ETS minimum-gap rules)
- Delivery
- Test centre or Home Edition (Paper Edition discontinued Jan 2024)
- Validity
- 2 years
- ID
- Valid passport (India)
6-Week Preparation Plan
🔍 Diagnostic & Question Types
- All tests: Take one official free practice test; note weakest skill
- Learn new 2026 task types (Complete the Words, Build a Sentence, Take an Interview)
🎧 Vocabulary, Grammar & Listening
- All tests: Vocabulary & grammar daily (30–45 min)
- Daily-life reading (emails, notices) + academic passages
- At Palash: native-speaker listening practice
✍️ Writing Practice
- All tests: Writing practice with feedback
- Write an Email & Academic Discussion – timed
- At Palash: practice with the new 2026 writing tasks
🎙️ Speaking Practice
- All tests: Speaking practice (record yourself)
- Listen and Repeat accuracy + interview answers ~45 s
🔄 Full Mock Tests
- All tests: Full mock tests under exam timing
- 2 full practice tests with adaptive modules
- At Palash: computer-based mock tests
✅ Final Review & Booking Checks
- All tests: Final review & booking checks
- Check ID; for Home Edition verify setup in advance
Top Preparation Tips
- 🆕 Learn the 2026 task types first: Complete the Words, Build a Sentence, Take an Interview
- 🔀 New section order: Reading → Listening → Writing → Speaking
- 🧠 Reading & Listening are multistage adaptive — practise with adaptive modules
- ✉️ Writing: practise Write an Email and Academic Discussion under a timer
- 🎙️ Speaking: Listen and Repeat accuracy + interview answers of about 45 seconds
- 📊 Know the CEFR link: band 4–4.5 ≈ B2, 5–5.5 ≈ C1, 6 = C2
- 🔄 Your university may still quote 0–120 — use the comparable score on your report
- 🏠 Home Edition: verify your equipment and setup well in advance
Study Resources
- 🌐 ets.org/toefl — official 2026 test content and registration
- 📄 ETS — TOEFL iBT 2026 Test Specifications (PDF)
- 📝 Official practice tests (take 2 with adaptive modules in Week 5)
- 📰 ApplyBoard — TOEFL iBT 2026 update
- 📰 Test Ninjas — what changed on TOEFL in 2026
- 🧩 Palash practice with the new 2026 task types
- 🎧 Palash native-speaker listening practice
- 💻 Palash computer-based mock tests
Where & How You Take It
- 🏢 TOEFL iBT at an authorised test centre
- 🏠 TOEFL iBT Home Edition — live human proctor
- 🖥️ Home Edition setup: own computer, webcam, mic, quiet private room, whiteboard/transparent sheet for notes (check the ETS list)
- 🚫 Paper Edition discontinued since Jan 2024
- 📍 Register only on the official site: ets.org/toefl
- 🪪 Valid passport required (India)
- 📤 Free score reports go to a set number of institutions chosen at registration
- 🔎 Verify Home Edition setup before test day
Results & Validity
- ⏱️ Faster score reporting introduced in 2026 — typically a few days
- 📊 Reports from Jan 2026 to ≈Jan 2028 show the 1–6 band, the CEFR level AND a comparable 0–120 score
- 📉 The comparable 0–120 score is expected to be dropped from reports around Jan 2028
- 🗓️ Scores from before 21 Jan 2026 (0–120) remain valid for 2 years
- 📤 Free score reports to a set number of institutions at registration; extra reports cost more
- 🔁 Retakes allowed; fee per attempt
- 📋 Score validity: 2 years
ℹ️ Information checked 6 Oct 2026 from official and reputable sources. Fees and rules change often — always confirm on the official website before booking.
Palash Academy coaching
TOEFL Coaching — iBT TOEFL preparation by certified trainer
- New 2026 tasks: Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Academic Discussion, Take an Interview
- Adaptive Reading & Listening practice
- Native-speaker listening practice
- Computer-based mock tests
- Score-target strategy sessions for US universities
