These changes aim to enhance practical application, optimize candidate experience, and better meet the requirements of language use in modern academic environments.
First, the adaptive test format (Multistage Adaptive Testing), applied to the Reading and Listening sections: The difficulty of the questions will change based on the candidate's answers to previous questions; the number of questions is flexibly adjusted based on the test-taking ability of each candidate - providing a personalized experience. The test duration ranges from 67 to 85 minutes. Official test scores are announced after 72 hours.
The content and context of the exam are updated, close to the academic environment and student activities in an international environment, including: Reading school announcements, writing emails, online discussions, simulated interviews; eliminating overly academic content, increasing practical application.
New scale: 1 - 6 (parallel to the 0 - 120 scale). Specifically, the test is assessed on a scale of 1 - 6 (in 0.5 increments) , corresponding to 6 levels of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). During the transition period 2026 - 2028, candidates will still receive the same total converted score on both the 1 - 6 and 0 - 120 scales.
The structure of the new TOEFL iBT test is as follows:
| New structure (Effective from 21/1/2026) | Current structure | |||||
| Exam | Question type | Number of questions | Time | Question type | Number of questions | Time |
| Reading | - Complete the missing words in the passage - Read non-academic texts - Read short academic passages | 35 – 48* | 18 – 27 minutes* | - Read academic passages | 20 | 35 minutes |
| Listening | - Listen and choose the appropriate response. - Listen to the conversation - Listen to the announcement - Listen to academic lectures | 35 – 45* | 18 – 27 minutes* | - Listen to the lecture - Listen to the conversation | 28 | 36 minutes |
| Writing | - Sentence construction - Write email - Academic discussion | 12* | 23 minutes* | - Integrated writing - Academic discussion | 2 | 29 minutes |
| Speaking | - Listen and repeat - Simulation interview | 11* | 8 minutes* | - Speak independently - Integrated speaking | 4 | 16 minutes |
| Total time | ranging from 67 minutes to 85 minutes | 116 minutes | ||||
To help candidates prepare effectively for the new test format, ETS has released 4-skill practice sets with new question types completely free of charge.
Candidates can access and experience the new format test at: https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/prepare.html
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 - the national representative of ETS.
Source: https://giaoducthoidai.vn/cai-tien-quan-trong-trong-cau-truc-bai-thi-toefl-ibt-ap-dung-tu-2026-post739824.html
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