Big update: Starting January 21, 2026, ETS rolled out a redesigned TOEFL iBT that’s shorter, adaptive (Reading & Listening), and built around more modern “real academic life” content, with a new 1–6 score scale (reported in 0.5 increments).
This help article replaces the older (pre-2026) structure described in the legacy guide you pasted and updates it to match the 2026 TOEFL iBT ETS edition.
Table of contents
TOEFL basics (2026)
What changed in 2026 (chart)
TOEFL structure and timing (2026) (chart)
Scoring (2026)
Registration, rescheduling, cancellation, and retakes
Preparing for test day
All about Reading (2026)
All about Listening (2026)
All about Writing (2026)
All about Speaking (2026)
Differences between Magoosh TOEFL and the real TOEFL (updated)
1) TOEFL basics (2026)
The TOEFL iBT measures academic English proficiency for non-native English speakers. ETS now emphasizes English used in modern academic environments, mixing traditional academic sources with campus-life and everyday academic communication contexts.
2) What changed in 2026 (quick comparison chart)
| Category | Legacy guide (pre-2026) | New TOEFL iBT (Jan 21, 2026+) |
|---|---|---|
| Overall test time | ~3 hours (with break) | About ~2 hours total (plus basic test-day steps like audio checks) |
| Adaptivity | Fixed-form | Multistage adaptive in Reading + Listening (two stages/modules) |
| Test sequence | Reading → Listening → Speaking → Writing | Reading → Listening → Writing → Speaking |
| Reading | 3–4 passages, 54–72 min | New task mix (incl. Complete the Words, Daily Life, Academic Passage), up to ~30 min |
| Listening | 41–57 min; lectures & conversations | New task mix (incl. Choose a Response, Announcement, Academic Talk), up to ~29 min |
| Writing | 2 tasks / 50 min (Integrated + Independent) | 3 tasks / up to ~23 min: Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Academic Discussion |
| Speaking | 4 tasks / 17 min | 2 task types / up to ~8 min: Listen & Repeat, Take an Interview |
| Score scale | 0–120 total (0–30 per section) | 1–6 band scores (0.5 increments) for sections + overall; comparable 0–120 total shown for 2 years |
| Score speed | ~several days | ~72 hours / 3 days after test date (official scores) |
3) TOEFL structure & timing (2026) — how each section is constructed
ETS notes that item counts and timing are “up to” estimates and may still be optimized before/around rollout.
| Section (in order) | Adaptive? | Task types (2026) | Items | Estimated time | Key navigation rule |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | ✅ Yes (multistage) | Complete the Words; Read in Daily Life; Read an Academic Passage | Up to 50 | Up to 30 min | No going back between stages/modules |
| Listening | ✅ Yes (multistage) | Choose a Response; Conversation; Announcement; Academic Talk | Up to 47 | Up to 29 min | No going back between stages/modules |
| Writing | ❌ No | Build a Sentence; Write an Email; Write for an Academic Discussion | Up to 12 | Up to 23 min | Task-by-task (finish → move on) |
| Speaking | ❌ No | Listen and Repeat; Take an Interview | Up to 11 | Up to 8 min | Task-by-task (finish → move on) |
4) TOEFL scoring (2026)
Score scale (new)
Each section (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) is reported as a band score from 1 to 6, in 0.5 increments.
The overall score is also reported on the 1–6 band scale.
For two years after Jan 21, 2026, ETS will include a comparable 0–120 total score on the report (for transition/reference).
How scoring works (high-level)
Reading + Listening: multistage adaptive; scores consider correctness and question difficulty across both modules, then convert to the reported scale through equating.
Speaking + Writing: ETS uses AI scoring engines trained on human ratings, with human rating remaining a critical oversight component.
5) Registration, rescheduling, cancellation, and retakes (current ETS policies)
These are ETS TOEFL iBT policies in the 2025–2026 Information Bulletin (in effect July 2025–June 2026).
Registration deadlines
Regular online registration closes 7 full days before the test date.
Express online registration closes 2 days before the test date.
Retake policy
No limit on attempts, but you can’t take TOEFL iBT more than once in a 3-day period.
Rescheduling & cancellation
You must reschedule/cancel at least 4 full days before your test date (otherwise no refund).
6) Preparing for test day (2026-focused)
Test sequence (important for pacing)
You’ll take sections in this order:
Reading → Listening → Writing → Speaking
Notetaking
Notetaking is still allowed.
Test center: scratch paper + pencils are provided.
Home Edition: erasable marker + whiteboard or paper inside a transparent sheet protector.
When you’ll receive scores
Official scores are available in your ETS account 3 days after your test date (you’ll see the exact expected date at the end of your test).
7) All about TOEFL Reading (2026)
Structure & tasks
Reading includes a mix of:
Complete the Words
Read in Daily Life
Read an Academic Passage
Timing & adaptivity
Up to ~30 minutes and up to 50 items.
Reading is multistage adaptive: you complete one module, then receive a second module matched to your performance.
Navigation
You cannot go back between stages/modules (Module 1 → Module 2 is one-way).
8) All about TOEFL Listening (2026)
Structure & tasks
Listening includes:
Listen and Choose a Response
Listen to a Conversation
Listen to an Announcement
Listen to an Academic Talk
Timing & adaptivity
Up to ~29 minutes and up to 47 items.
Listening is also multistage adaptive (two stages/modules).
Navigation
As with Reading, test takers can’t skip or go back between stages.
9) All about TOEFL Writing (2026)
Structure (3 tasks, new)
Writing is now up to 23 minutes total and includes:
Build a Sentence
Write an Email
Write for an Academic Discussion
Scoring (what to tell students)
ETS scores Writing using automated scoring engines trained on human ratings, with human rating still a critical oversight component.
10) All about TOEFL Speaking (2026)
Structure (new)
Speaking is now up to ~8 minutes and includes:
Listen and Repeat
Take an Interview
Scoring (what to tell students)
As with Writing, ETS uses automated scoring engines trained on human ratings, with human rating as an important part of the process.
11) Differences between Magoosh TOEFL and the real TOEFL (updated for 2026)
Here’s the updated “reality check” students often ask for:
Adaptive Reading/Listening: The real TOEFL iBT (2026+) is multistage adaptive in Reading and Listening, and students can’t go back between modules. If a practice product isn’t adaptive, it can still build skills—but the test-day feel will differ.
New task types across all sections: Students must practice the newer task families (Email, Interview, Complete the Words, etc.).
Timing & stamina: The new test is shorter (~2 hours), so endurance demands shift from “long-haul” to “high focus, fewer minutes.”
Scoring scale change: Students will see 1–6 bands, and institutions may update score requirements accordingly.
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