What is the new 2026 TOEFL format? Which sections and tasks are there?
Facts last checked against official sources on October 7, 2026.
Short answer
Since 21 January 2026 TOEFL iBT has four sections: adaptive Reading (about 30 min) and Listening (about 29 min), then Writing (about 23 min) and Speaking (about 8 min). The whole test takes under two hours with no scheduled breaks. New task types such as Build a Sentence and Complete the Words were added.
Sections and task types
In the adaptive sections your performance in the first stage sets the difficulty of the second, so time and item counts can vary a little.
| Section | Task types | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading (adaptive) | Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage | 30 minutes |
| Listening (adaptive) | Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement, Listen to an Academic Talk | 29 minutes |
| Writing | Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion | 23 minutes |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview | 8 minutes |
Sources
Dates and rules can change. Check the organiser’s official page before you apply; that page is binding.
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