Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) 2026

Created by ETS, the TOEFL iBT test remains the premier English-language assessment for university study, work, and immigration, universally accepted by virtually every institution in the United States and thousands more globally.

1. Updated Shorter Format

The TOEFL iBT recently underwent significant changes making it the shortest among the major English tests, taking just under 2 hours to complete.

• Reading: 35 Minutes (2 reading passages, 20 questions).
• Listening: 36 Minutes (3 lectures, 2 conversations, 28 questions).
• Speaking: 16 Minutes (4 tasks).
• Writing: 29 Minutes (Integrated writing task + "Writing for an Academic Discussion" task).

2. Test Administrations

• At a Test Center: Conducted on computers at authorized ETS centers.
• Home Edition: Tests taken strictly at home with a human proctor monitoring via webcam.
• Paper Edition: Phased out/limited in highly specific regions. Focus mostly remains on the internet-based test (iBT).

3. Official Web Hubs

4. Key Takeaways

• Unlike IELTS, TOEFL primarily uses American English accents in its listening materials (though British/Australian accents may appear to reflect international environments).
• The "Writing for an Academic Discussion" task is a fast-paced requirement where candidates must state and support an opinion in an online classroom discussion forum simulation within 10 minutes.