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New TOEFL iBT in 2026: What Changed
ETS updated the TOEFL iBT on 21 January 2026. Reading and Listening are now adaptive, the tasks are new and shorter, and scores are reported on a 1 to 6 scale in half points, aligned with the CEFR. Until January 2028, your score report also shows a comparable score on the old 0 to 120 scale. Scores now arrive in about 72 hours.
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- Launch
- 21 January 2026
- Score scale
- 1–6 in half points, aligned with the CEFR
- Old scale
- Comparable 0–120 score shown until January 2028
- Test time
- About 2 hours including setup
- Results
- About 72 hours after the test
What changed in the TOEFL iBT?
- Adaptive Reading and Listening. Each section has two stages, and the second stage adjusts to how you did in the first.
- New task types in all four sections, with more short, everyday tasks.
- Newer topics, including texts like magazine and website excerpts.
- A new score scale from 1 to 6, aligned with the CEFR.
- Faster results: about 72 hours, against 4 to 8 days before.
The new TOEFL format
| Section | Task types | About how long |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Complete the Words; Read in Daily Life; Read an Academic Passage | 18–27 minutes |
| Listening | Listen and Choose a Response; conversations, announcements and academic talks | 18–27 minutes |
| Writing | Build a Sentence; Write an Email; Write for an Academic Discussion | About 23 minutes |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat; Take an Interview | About 8 minutes |
ETS says the whole test takes about two hours, including setup steps such as checking your headphones. Because Reading and Listening are adaptive, the number of questions you see can vary.
The new tasks at a glance
| Task | What you do |
|---|---|
| Complete the Words | Fill in the missing letters of words in a short text |
| Read in Daily Life | Read short everyday texts, such as notices and emails, and answer questions |
| Listen and Choose a Response | Hear a short line and choose the best reply |
| Build a Sentence | Put words in order to make a correct sentence |
| Write an Email | Write an email for an everyday situation |
| Listen and Repeat | Repeat sentences you hear |
| Take an Interview | Answer a series of interview-style questions |
The new 1–6 score scale
Each section gets a score from 1 to 6 in half points, and your overall score is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half point. Each level lines up with the CEFR:
| TOEFL score | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| 6 | C2 |
| 5–5.5 | C1 |
| 4–4.5 | B2 |
| 3–3.5 | B1 |
| 2–2.5 | A2 |
| 1–1.5 | A1 |
How does 1–6 compare with 0–120 and IELTS?
| TOEFL 1–6 | CEFR | Comparable 0–120 | IELTS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | C2 | 114 or more | 8.0–9.0 |
| 5.5 | C1 | 107 or more | 7.5 |
| 5 | C1 | 95 or more | 7.0 |
| 4.5 | B2 | 86 or more | 6.5 |
| 4 | B2 | 72 or more | 6.0 |
| 3.5 | B1 | 58 or more | 5.5 |
| 3 | B1 | 44 or more | — |
| 2.5 | A2 | 34 or more | 5.0 |
ETS says these scales are comparable but not fully interchangeable. If your university states its requirement on the new scale, use that number.
What the changes mean for you
- Old scores still count for two years from your test date.
- Check your university’s requirement on the scale it now uses, 1–6 or 0–120.
- Use 2026 practice material. Older books and tests use the old task types.
- Do not ease off early. In adaptive sections, the first stage decides which questions you get next.
Is the new TOEFL easier?
It is shorter, and results come faster, but it still tests the same four skills, and the adaptive sections adjust to your level. Prepare with the new task types and timed practice, just as you would for any version of the test.
Official sources
- TOEFL iBT updates from January 2026 (ETS)
- TOEFL iBT score scale 1 to 6 (ETS)
- Understand your TOEFL iBT scores (ETS)
- TOEFL iBT content and structure (ETS)
- TOEFL transformation announcement (ETS)
Frequently asked questions
When did the TOEFL change?
What is the new TOEFL score scale?
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