The New TOEFL iBT (2026): What Changed and How to Prepare
If your TOEFL review book was printed before 2026, part of it is out of date. ETS launched an updated TOEFL iBT on 21 January 2026. It has a new score scale, shorter adaptive sections and new speaking and writing tasks. Here’s what changed and how to prepare for the test as it is now.
What changed at a glance
- New score scale. Scores now run from 1 to 6 in half-band steps, for each section and overall.
- Shorter test. The four sections add up to about 90 minutes. ETS says the whole test takes under two hours.
- Adaptive Reading and Listening. How you do on the first part of the section decides the questions you get in the second part.
- New tasks. Speaking is now Listen and Repeat plus Take an Interview. Writing adds Build a Sentence and Write an Email.
- Results in about 3 days.
What’s on the test now
| Section | Task types | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading (adaptive) | Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage | 30 min |
| Listening (adaptive) | Listen and Choose a Response, Conversation, Announcement, Academic Talk | 29 min |
| Writing | Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion | 23 min |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview | 8 min |
Source: ETS TOEFL iBT test overview (2026).
How the new 1–6 score compares to the old 0–120
From 21 January 2026 until January 2028, every score report shows three things: your CEFR level, your 1–6 scores, and a comparable 0–120 total. Some reference points from ETS:
| New score (1–6) | Comparable old total (0–120) | CEFR level |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 114 and up | C2 |
| 5 | 95–106 | C1 |
| 4.5 | 86 and up | — |
ETS lines up IELTS band 7 with a TOEFL total of about 5.
Check which scale your target uses
Regulators haven’t all switched to the new scale yet. Read your requirement carefully:
- US VisaScreen (nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, from 12 May 2026) uses the new scale: 4.5 overall, 4.5 in Speaking and 3.5 in the other sections. It doesn’t accept the at-home TOEFL.
- Australia’s Ahpra still lists the old scale: 91 overall, with Listening 22, Reading 22, Writing 23 and Speaking 24.
Teachers heading abroad should check their school or licensing board the same way. See our guide to IELTS or TOEFL for teachers.
How to prepare for the new tasks
Write an Email. Answer everything the situation asks, use the right tone for the reader, and end with a clear request or next step. It’s scored on organisation and tone, not just grammar.
Build a Sentence. You put given words in the right order to make a correct sentence. Practise word order in questions and in clauses like “who,” “which” and “that.”
Take an Interview. You answer recorded questions as if in a real interview. Give a direct answer first, then one reason and one example.
Listen and Repeat. You hear a sentence and say it back. Short daily shadowing practice with native audio builds this quickly.
Adaptive Reading and Listening. The first part of each section matters. Strong early answers lead to harder questions, which can reach higher scores. Don’t rush the opening questions.
What to stop doing
- Practising the old Speaking tasks with long prepared responses. They aren’t on the test anymore.
- Using old practice tests to predict your score. Their timing, tasks and scale are different. Use 2026-format practice, starting with ETS’s free sample test.
- Booking the at-home test for VisaScreen. It won’t be accepted.
Frequently asked questions
When did the TOEFL change?
ETS launched the updated TOEFL iBT on 21 January 2026.
What is a good TOEFL score on the new scale?
It depends on your target. A 5 is C1 level and compares to about 95–106 on the old scale. VisaScreen asks for 4.5 overall.
Will my score report still show a 0–120 score?
Yes, until January 2028. Reports show a comparable 0–120 total next to the 1–6 scores.
How long is the new TOEFL?
The four sections take about 90 minutes. ETS says the full test takes under two hours.
Prepare for the TOEFL as it is now
IRIS’s TOEFL review is updated for the 2026 format, from Write an Email drills to Take an Interview practice with a mentor. Talk to us or see our TOEFL review. Still choosing a test? Compare your options in our PTE vs IELTS guide.