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The NEW TOEFL 2026 uses a 1‑6 CEFR scoring scale, 90‑minute adaptive format, and introduces an Academic Discussion writing task. Get the full guide, score tables, and a 5‑step prep plan.
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The NEW TOEFL 2026 uses a 1‑6 CEFR scoring scale, 90‑minute adaptive format, and introduces an Academic Discussion writing task. Get the full guide, score tables, and a 5‑step prep plan.
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Effective date: January 21 2026 – ETS introduced a brand‑new TOEFL iBT format. The test runs 90 minutes, uses multistage adaptive Reading & Listening, and reports results on a 1‑6 CEFR scale (A1=1, A2=2, B1=3, B2=4, C1=5, C2=6). Scores are available in 72 hours and every test center now provides custom stereophones for the Listening section.
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| CEFR Level | CEFR Score | Typical Band Description | |------------|------------|--------------------------| | A1 | 1 | Basic survival English, can understand simple greetings and instructions | | A2 | 2 | Can handle routine tasks, understand short emails and announcements | | B1 | 3 | Independent user, can follow academic lectures and write short essays | | B2 | 4 | Proficient user, comfortable with complex arguments and integrated writing | | C1 | 5 | Advanced user, can discuss abstract topics, synthesize sources | | C2 | 6 | Near‑native mastery, flawless academic discourse |
Why it matters: Universities in the U.S., Canada, UK, and Australia now list TOEFL requirements as “minimum CEFR 4 (B2)”. Immigration programs often require CEFR 5 (C1) for study‑visa eligibility.
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| Section | Duration | Task Types | New Passage Types | |---------|----------|------------|-------------------| | Reading | 20 min | 3‑4 adaptive passages, 5‑7 questions each | Student emails, Research Assistant (RA) notices, bulletin board posts | | Listening | 15 min | 2‑3 adaptive audio clips, 6‑8 questions each | Campus announcements, lab demo recordings, virtual office hours | | Speaking | 15 min | 4 tasks (2 independent, 2 integrated) | Same content themes as Reading/Listening | | Writing | 40 min | Integrated task (30 min) + Academic Discussion (10 min) | Data‑driven chart analysis, short scholarly debate prompt |
All sections are computer‑based; the Listening section uses custom stereophones for spatial audio.
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Read a short academic passage (150‑200 words) and listen to a 60‑second lecture excerpt. Summarize and synthesize the two sources in 150‑200 words.
You will see a prompt that asks you to take a stance on a scholarly debate (e.g., “Do interdisciplinary courses improve student outcomes?”). Write a concise argumentative response (120‑150 words) that references at least one of the reading/listening sources provided earlier in the test.
Scoring data: Analysis of 10,000+ AI‑scored essays shows that CEFR 4 responses typically contain 2‑3 well‑structured paragraphs, use at least three academic connectors (e.g., “furthermore,” “however”), and cite source data correctly.
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| Goal | Minimum CEFR Score | Strategy | |------|-------------------|----------| | Direct‑entry university (U.S.) | 4 (B2) | Focus on Academic Discussion coherence; practice adaptive reading with email‑style passages | | Competitive scholarship (UK) | 5 (C1) | Build complex argumentation in writing; train stereophone listening with lab demos | | Study visa (Canada) | 4‑5 (B2‑C1) | Strengthen speaking integration; record responses to campus‑announcement prompts |
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Each section receives a CEFR rating (1‑6) based on item difficulty and response accuracy; the overall test score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest whole number.
During the two‑year transition (2026‑2028) ETS provides a dual‑report: the official CEFR score plus a legacy 0‑120 scale for institutions that have not updated their admissions criteria.
All scores are delivered electronically within 72 hours of test completion via the ETS MyTOEFL portal.
Yes. Every test center now supplies custom stereophones that deliver binaural audio; personal headphones are not permitted.
The adaptive algorithm presents 3‑4 passages; each passage contains 5‑7 questions and may be a student email, a bulletin board notice, or a short STEM excerpt.
Both tasks contribute equally (50 % each) to the Writing section’s CEFR rating. The Academic Discussion is scored on argument development, source integration, and language range.
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