TheEducational Testing Service (ETS) has just announced new updates to the TOEFL iBT test structure, which will officially be applied globally from January 21, 2026. These changes are said to “enhance practical application, optimize the test taker experience, and better meet the requirements of language use in a modern academic environment.”
Accordingly, the test will adjust the set of questions according to the actual ability of the candidates during the test, applicable to the Reading and Listening sections. Thus, the difficulty of the questions will change based on the candidates' answers to the previous questions. In addition, the number of questions will be flexibly adjusted based on the ability of each candidate, thereby providing a personalized experience.
The test duration will range from 67 - 85 minutes. Official test scores will be announced after 72 hours.
The content and context of the exam will be updated to be close to the academic environment and student activities in an international environment such as: Reading school announcements, writing emails, online discussions, simulated interviews, etc., thereby eliminating overly academic content and increasing practical application.
In addition, from January 2026, the TOEFL iBT test will apply a new scoring scale, moving from the current 0 - 120 point scale to a 1 - 6 scale (in 0.5 point increments). This scale corresponds to 6 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
During the first two years of transition, TOEFL iBT score reports will display both the 1 – 6 and 0 – 120 scales. After this time, score reports will only use the 1 – 6 scale.
TOEFL iBT is a test designed and developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The test is designed specifically for people who use English as a foreign language to assess their ability to use English comprehensively in 4 skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing in an academic environment. In Vietnam, the test is authorized to be implemented by IIG Vietnam.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/cau-truc-moi-cua-bai-thi-toefl-ibt-tu-nam-2026-2421904.html
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