The TOEFL iBT test will have major changes from the beginning of 2026 - Photo: MLI
Starting January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT test will undergo sweeping, groundbreaking changes.
Recently, theEducational Testing Service (ETS) announced a series of adjustments from the format, structure, content of the TOEFL iBT test to the scoring method with the goal of improving the candidate experience and more closely reflecting language proficiency in the international university environment.
Exams change towards personalization
First of all, TOEFL iBT applies Multistage Adaptive Testing for the Reading and Listening sections.
Specifically, each candidate will have a separate question roadmap, adjusted based on previous answers. The number of questions can help accurately assess real ability, instead of being equated according to a fixed score scale.
In addition to innovating scoring techniques and test presentation, ETS also adjusted the context and language types in the test to be closer to student life.
Situations such as reading school notices, writing emails, online group discussions, simulated interviews, etc. are included to replace overly academic texts.
This is intended to measure the ability to use English in real-life academic and social situations, just as the TOEFL is meant to assess language used in a university environment.
In particular, the TOEFL iBT test will add a new scale of 1-6, in addition to the 0-120 scale.
Accordingly, the traditional scale is still from 0-120. The new scale is from 1 to 6 (in 0.5 point increments), aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Each score level corresponds to a competency level from A1 to C2 in the CEFR, helping universities and academic institutions easily compare results when recruiting international students.
During the transition period from 2026 to 2028, candidates will be awarded both scores at the same time to facilitate their study abroad and scholarship applications.
Streamlined TOEFL iBT test structure
The total test duration has been significantly shortened, from 116 minutes to about 67-85 minutes, thanks to the restructuring and streamlining of each skill. Specifically:
- Reading section: includes three new types of exercises such as fill in the blanks, reading non-academic texts, reading short academic texts. Time from 18-27 minutes depending on the test taker.
- Listening section: includes conversations, announcements, lectures - combines both multiple choice and multiple choice formats.
- Writing section: no longer just writing academic essays but expanding to writing emails, constructing sentences, and responding to discussions.
- Speaking section: includes 11 tasks in just 8 minutes, focusing on short communication situations, quick reflexes such as simulated interviews or sentence repetition.
Each section is designed to assess your ability to use the language in a real-life context, rather than testing purely theoretical knowledge.
TOEFL iBT is a test designed and developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
To help test takers get used to the new format, ETS has released a completely free set of practice materials including sample tests for all four skills, accurately reflecting the new format. Test takers can access and practice online at: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/prepare.html
In Vietnam, the test is authorized to be implemented by IIG Vietnam - the national representative of ETS.
Source: https://tuoitre.vn/toefl-ibt-sap-thay-doi-toan-dien-cu-the-the-nao-20250715125444776.htm
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