Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-based test) · ETS
The TOEFL iBT is a computer-based test of academic and campus English. Since 21 January 2026 it has a shorter format with many short tasks, in this order: Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking. Reading and Listening are adaptive: your answers in the first part of the section decide whether the second part is easier or harder, so the number of questions and the time can vary. Writing and Speaking are the same for everyone. You can take it at a test centre or at home (Home Edition) with a live online proctor.
University study, especially in the United States and Canada
Scholarships and exchange programmes that ask for TOEFL
Learners who are comfortable typing and speaking into a microphone
Learners who prefer many short tasks to a few long ones
Versions
TOEFL iBT (test centre)
The standard version, taken on a computer at an authorised test centre.
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
The same test taken on your own computer at home, with a live human proctor watching online.
Test format
Reading
about 27–30 minutes · about 35–50 questions (adaptive)
Complete the Words
A short academic paragraph (about 70–100 words). After the first sentence, the second half of every second word is missing, and you type the missing letters. Each paragraph has 10 incomplete words.
Read in Daily Life
Short everyday texts (about 15–150 words) such as notices, emails, menus, schedules, text messages and adverts, each followed by 2 or 3 multiple-choice questions.
Read an Academic Passage
A short academic text of about 200 words followed by 5 questions on facts, vocabulary, inference, the connection between ideas and the writer's purpose.
Listening
about 27–29 minutes · about 35–47 questions (adaptive)
Listen and Choose a Response
You hear one question or statement (not shown on screen) and choose the best reply from four options.
Listen to a Conversation
A short conversation between two people, mostly about campus or daily life, followed by 2 questions.
Listen to an Announcement
A short announcement (about 40–85 words) in a classroom or campus setting, about schedules, directions, rules or events, followed by questions.
Listen to an Academic Talk
A short talk by a professor or expert (about 100–250 words) followed by 4 questions on main ideas, details, organisation and inference.
Writing
about 23 minutes · 12 tasks
Build a Sentence
10 items. You read one sentence in a short exchange and put words and phrases in the right order to make a grammatical reply.
Write an Email
1 task, 7 minutes. Write an email for an academic or social situation, for example to make a request, give information or propose a solution.
Write for an Academic Discussion
1 task, 10 minutes. Read a professor's question and two classmates' posts, then write your own post that states and supports your opinion (at least 100 words is recommended).
Speaking
about 8 minutes · 11 tasks
Listen and Repeat
7 sentences in a campus or academic scenario. You hear each sentence once and repeat it exactly (about 8–12 seconds to respond). The sentences get longer and more complex.
Take an Interview
4 questions from a recorded interviewer on one topic, with no preparation time and 45 seconds for each answer. Early questions are about your experience; later questions ask for opinions on wider issues.
Strategies that work
1Practise Complete the Words daily: use grammar (word class, verb form, plural) as well as meaning to finish each word.
2In Read in Daily Life, read the question first and scan the text for the detail you need.
3In Listen and Choose a Response, listen for the type of question (Wh-, yes/no, suggestion) and the speaker's intention, not just repeated words.
4Take notes during conversations and talks: the main idea, examples and any change of plan.
5In Write an Email, cover every point in the prompt, use a polite opening and closing, and write at least 80–100 words.
6In the Academic Discussion, give a clear opinion in the first sentence, add a new reason and refer to one of the classmates' posts.
7In Take an Interview, start answering straight away and use the full 45 seconds: answer, reason, example.
Your TOEFL iBT study plan
Work through these lessons in order, then try the timed practice.
