The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardised exam that has been created by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to evaluate an individual’s ability to understand and use English in an academic setting. The TOEFL Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT), designed to test your reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills at a university level, is the most common version of this test.
The TOEFL iBT is an important assessment for non-native English speakers who want to study or work in an English-speaking country and is one of the widely-accepted language proficiency tests. Here is all you need to know about the 2026 TOEFL exam pattern, its sections, syllabus, preparation tips, and more:
Key highlights:
- TOEFL Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
- TOEFL Paper Pattern – Exam Sections and Question Types
- TOEFL Exam Syllabus 2026
- TOEFL Exam Duration and Scoring Pattern
- TOEFL Exam Fee 2026
- How to Prepare for TOEFL
- Common Mistakes to Avoid in TOEFL
- Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores
- TOEFL Exam – Total Marks and Score Validity
- Frequently Asked Questions
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
The TOEFL test pattern comprises four sections – Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section has tasks that you are required to complete within the set time limit. Starting 21 January 2026, the TOEFL examination pattern will undergo major changes to better reflect the use of the English language in modern academic environments.
TOEFL Paper Pattern – Exam Sections and Question Types
| Section | Number of Tasks/Questions | Task/Question Types | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Before 21-Jan-2026 | Post 21-Jan-2026 | Before 21-Jan-2026 | Post 21-Jan-2026 | |
| Reading | 20 | 35 to 48* |
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| Listening | 28 | 35–45* |
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| Speaking | 4 | 11 |
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| Writing | 2 | 12 |
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TOEFL Exam Syllabus 2026
- Reading: This section evaluates your ability to read and understand academic materials. It assesses your understanding of post-secondary education texts and your ability to summarise and draw inferences from the text.
- Listening: This section measures how well you understand English conversations and lectures. It evaluates your basic comprehension, how well you can connect information, and your understanding of attitude and degree of certainty.
- Speaking: This section in the TOEFL format evaluates your proficiency in expressing an opinion on a familiar topic.
- Writing: The writing section evaluates your ability to write in English. The writing section offers you an opportunity to convey your views in a succinct and structured manner.
TOEFL Exam Duration and Scoring Pattern
From 21 January 2026, the TOEFL iBT will become a more adaptive and shorter test, with a new scoring scale. The Reading and Listening sections will use a multistage adaptive design, which shortens exam time and personalises difficulty. Scores will shift from the traditional 0 to 120 scale to a 1.0 to 6.0 band scale.
Quick facts (one-glance)
- Effective date: 21 January 2026
- Test type: TOEFL iBT (adaptive for Reading and Listening)
- New overall score scale: 1.0 to 6.0 in 0.5 increments.
- Typical total duration: 67 to 85 minutes, depending on adaptive routing.
Section-wise Duration: Old vs New
| Section | Earlier (pre-2026) | New (from 21 Jan 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 35 minutes | ~ 18–27 minutes |
| Listening | 36 minutes | ~ 18–27 minutes |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | ~ 8 minutes |
| Writing | 29 minutes | ~ 23 minutes |
Scoring Pattern — What Changed (and what you’ll get on your report)
| What you’ll see | Details |
|---|---|
| Section scores | Each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) will be reported on a 1.0 to 6.0 scale in 0.5 increments |
| Overall score | Average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5 |
| 0 to 120 comparability | A comparable score on the 0 to 120 scale will also be provided |
The results of the TOEFL exams are assessed by a centralised scoring network to minimise rater bias that can occur with face-to-face interviews. It also ensures consistency and fairness in scoring and offers a comprehensive assessment of your English language proficiency. Post 21 January 2026, apart from the traditional scoring, with the total marks of the TOEFL exam being 120, an intuitive score scale of 1-6 will also be introduced.
* As the test is adaptive, the number of tasks and time required may vary.
TOEFL 2025 Exam Fee
| Payment Category | Fee |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT Registration | INR 16,900 |
| Late Registration | INR 3,900 |
| Test Reschedule | INR 5,900 |
| Cancelled Score Reinstatement | INR 1,900 |
| Additional Score Reports | INR 1,950 |
| Speaking/Writing Section Score Review | INR 7,900 |
| Payment Return | INR 2,900 |
Please Note: In case you want to cancel your TOEFL registration, you are eligible for a refund of 50% of the test fee, only if you cancel your registration by the 4-Day Deadline, which is 4 days before your test date.
How to Prepare for TOEFL
- Take a full mock test to understand the TOEFL pattern, timing, types of questions, and to identify areas where you are weak.
- Get a detailed score breakdown to determine where the most improvement is needed and create a realistic study plan that focuses on those areas.
- Take timed full-length practice tests under realistic conditions to simulate test-day conditions, practice effective time management, and to track your progress over time.
- Review your mistakes after each practice session, so you can learn from them and ensure that they are not repeated.
- Study and practice consistently, even if it is a little bit each day, instead of trying to cram everything at once.
- Take advantage of official study material and practice tests from ETS to prepare accurately and effectively.
Common Mistakes to Avoid in TOEFL
- Improper Time Management: Spending too long on a single question or panicking and rushing through the questions.
- Skimming, Not Reading: Only scanning through the text instead of practicing active reading strategies.
- Not Understanding the Question Type: Not recognising what different types of questions are asking you to do and not knowing the approach required.
- Overlooking Practice Tests: Underestimating how much regular practice tests can help you in your preparation.
- Skipping the Practice Test Review: Not analysing your mistakes, nor checking explanations for answers, and not identifying error patterns or areas of improvement.
Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores
Overview
More than 13,000 institutions, including universities and immigration authorities, across 160+ countries all over the world recognise TOEFL scores as proof of academic English proficiency.
Top Countries that Accept TOEFL Scores
- Australia: Accepted by all universities.
- New Zealand: Accepted by all universities.
- Canada: Accepted by all universities and preferred by more than 80% of graduate programmes in Canada.
- Europe: Accepted by top universities in Europe and most preferred in Germany and France.
- Ireland: Accepted by all universities.
- The United Kingdom (UK): Accepted by all universities.
- The United States of America (USA): Accepted by all universities.
TOEFL Exam – Total Marks and Score Validity
The TOEFL exam is scored across four sections. Each section contributes to your total score .
Section-wise Scoring
| Section | Score Range (0–120 scale) | New 1–6 Scale (from Jan 2026) |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 0–30 | 1.0–6.0 |
| Listening | 0–30 | 1.0–6.0 |
| Speaking | 0–30 | 1.0–6.0 |
| Writing | 0–30 | 1.0–6.0 |
Total Score
| Score Type | Calculation / Notes |
|---|---|
| Traditional 0 to 120 | Total of all four section scores |
| New 1 to 6 scale | Average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest 0.5. For example, if the average is 5.33, the final score will be 5.5 |
| Transition period | ETS will provide a comparable 0 to 120 score for two years after January 2026 |
Score Validity
- TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years from the date of the test.
- For tests taken during the 2026-2028 transition period, your report will show both the new 1–6 band and the traditional 0–120 score. This ensures universities can easily evaluate your results while they adjust to the new system.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is TOEFL a difficult exam?
Although many consider TOEFL to be a difficult test, the difficulty of the exam is actually subjective and depends on your proficiency in the English language. If you are well-prepared for the exam, you will find it easier to succeed. Additionally, with exam updates scheduled for 21st January 2026, the test is going to be more adaptive, adjusting the difficulty in real-time based on the test giver’s responses.
2. What is the “fail score” in TOEFL?
There is no pass or fail score for TOEFL. Each university sets its own minimum score requirements for admissions. For information about how your TOEFL scores will be interpreted, you should contact the university directly.
3. Is TOEFL harder than IELTS?
Neither TOEFL or IELTS is objectively harder than the other. It depends on the skills, strengths, and preferences of an individual. If you prefer a computer-based exam with structured academic tasks, you should opt for TOEFL. But if you are more comfortable with handwritten tasks and personal interviews, IELTS might be the right choice for you.
4. What are the different types of TOEFL exams?
- TOEFL Institutional Testing Programme (TOEFL ITP): Measures foundational English proficiency for academic settings.
- TOEFL Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT): Measures higher-level integrated English proficiency as required at a university level.
5. Which is better, TOEFL iBT or TOEFL PBT?
The TOEFL Internet-Based Test (TOEFL iBT) is considered to be the best option for Indian students. It is also the only option available for prospective test-takers now, as the TOEFL Paper-Based Test (TOEFL PBT) was discontinued in January 2024.
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Also Read: How to Reschedule TOEFL Test: A Brief Guide
