TOEFL iBT · Task guide 1 · 4 min read
TOEFL iBT format: sections, tasks and how the updated test works
How the TOEFL iBT has worked since 21 January 2026: four sections, new task types, adaptive Reading and Listening, 1 to 6 band scores and about two hours of testing.
What the TOEFL iBT is
The TOEFL iBT is an English proficiency test taken on a computer. Universities and other institutions use it to check that applicants can handle study in English. It tests the four skills you would expect: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.
The test changed on 21 January 2026. The sections are the same, but the task types inside them are new, Reading and Listening now adapt to your level, and results are reported on a 1 to 6 scale. Always check the official ETS pages for the latest details: Test Content and Structure on ets.org.
The test at a glance
| Section | Task types | Items (approx.) | Approximate base time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage | 50 | 30 minutes |
| Listening | Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement, Listen to an Academic Talk | 47 | 29 minutes |
| Writing | Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion | 12 | 23 minutes |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview | 11 | 8 minutes |
ETS says the times do not include directions and that you should allow about two hours in total. Because the test adapts, the number of items and the timing can vary from one test taker to another, and ETS's published specification estimates Reading and Listening at the same or a few minutes less, depending on which second stage you get, so treat every figure in the table as approximate. ETS's FAQ says the test takes just under two hours and that you should plan for about two and a half hours, including 30 minutes for check-in.
ETS's specification says Reading and Listening include some unscored items, used to gather data for future tests. Treat every item as if it counts.
Adaptive and linear sections
According to ETS's published specification, Reading and Listening are two-stage adaptive. You start with a first set of questions (a router). How you do on it decides whether your second stage is easier or harder. ETS says this design is meant to measure your level efficiently.
Writing and Speaking are linear. Everyone taking a particular form gets the same tasks in the same order.
Exam tip: if the second stage of Reading or Listening feels harder, that is not a bad sign. It probably means the first stage went well.
No breaks, and what counts as finishing
ETS says there are no scheduled breaks during the test, so go to the toilet and drink some water beforehand. Your test will only be scored if you complete at least one Reading question, one Listening question, one Speaking task and one Writing task. If you skip a whole section, none of the sections are scored.
You can take notes. At a test centre you receive scratch paper and pencils. At home you may use a small whiteboard or a blank sheet in a clear sheet protector with an erasable marker.
How you take it
There are two ways to take the same test:
- At an authorised test centre, on a computer provided there.
- Home Edition, on your own desktop or laptop, watched by a live human proctor. Our test day and Home Edition guide covers the rules in detail.
You can retake the test as often as you like, but not more than once in any three days. Your scores are valid for two years from the test date.
Scores in one minute
You get four section scores and an overall score on a 1 to 6 scale in half-point steps. The overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band. For a two-year transition period, your report also shows a comparable overall score on the old 0 to 120 scale. See our scores guide for the detail.
How to use this guide series
- Read this overview, then the guide for each section.
- Learn the task names. On test day you want to recognise each task at once.
- Practice in the same order the test uses, then do a full timed run.
- Check your target score on each university's own page, because ETS does not set pass marks.
Key points
- Four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking.
- There are 12 task types in all: three in Reading, four in Listening, three in Writing and two in Speaking.
- Reading and Listening are adaptive; Writing and Speaking are not.
- Allow about two hours, with no scheduled breaks.
- Scores run from 1 to 6 and stay valid for two years.
- The official source is ets.org/toefl.
Find practice tests and the other guides on the TOEFL hub.