The TOEFL exam pattern 2026 comprises four sections- Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The exam pattern of TOEFL iBT 2026 is changing completely on January 21, 2026. Candidates willing to take TOEFL exam in 2026 should aware of these pattern changes. The old TOEFL test had score out of 120, but the new TOEFL 2026 uses a scale of 1 to 6. This will be one of the major changes in TOEFL 2026.
The TOEFL questions structure are different now. The Reading section has shorter passages and "complete the words" questions. The Speaking section introduces a "Listen and Repeat" task. In Writing section of TOEFL, you have to do "Build a Sentence".
The new TOEFL test is much shorter and many say it is easier than before. But be careful, some new tasks like sentence building can be tricky. You should check your TOEFL exam dates to see if you are taking the new 2026 version.
- TOEFL Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
- TOEFL Exam Syllabus 2026
- TOEFL Exam Fee 2026
- How to Prepare for TOEFL?
- Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores
- TOEFL Test Scores
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2026 – Overview
The TOEFL exam pattern comprises four sections, Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. It is always advised that candidates should practise more and more, as the more they practise TOEFL Sample Papers, from TOEFL Test Ready available on the ETS official website better their scores will be. All the preparation material is prepared while focusing on the TOEFL test pattern.
TOEFL scores will be declared online within 4-8 days after the commencement of the test. The total score can be found with the sum of the scores of all four sections. Candidates can check out the updated TOEFL Exam Pattern below.
TOEFL Exam Pattern - Till January 21, 2026
| Section | TOEFL Exam Pattern |
|---|---|
| TOEFL Reading Section | Duration: 35 minutes Number of Questions = 20 |
| TOEFL Listening Section | Duration: 36 minutes Number of Questions = 28 |
| TOEFL Speaking Section | Duration: 16 minutes Number of Tasks 4 tasks |
| TOEFL Writing Section | Duration: 29 minutes Number of Tasks = 2 tasks |
| Total Duration: 116 minutes |
Note:- In order to obtain the final official scores, it is necessary to respond to a minimum of one question in both the Reading and Listening sections, as well as to fulfill at least one Speaking task and one Writing task.
TOEFL Exam Pattern 2026 - Latest Changes
Candidates can check the question types of TOEFL exam 2026 from below:
New TOEFL iBT Format (From Jan 21, 2026)
| Section |
Question Types |
Number of Items |
Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading |
Complete words, daily reading, academic texts |
35–48* |
18–27 minutes |
| Listening |
Choose responses, conversations, talks |
35–45* |
18–27 minutes |
| Writing |
Build sentences, write email, discussion post |
12* |
23 minutes |
| Speaking |
Repeat sentences, interview-style answers |
11* |
8 minutes |
Read:
- Getting Familiar with the Shorter TOEFL Test
- Know all about the enhanced TOEFL iBT Test
- Benefits of the enhanced TOEFL iBT Test
Commonly asked questions
Here is the latest TOEFL syllabus for the benefit of our TOEFL test-takers.
Section | Skills Tested | Question Types | Time Allotted |
|---|---|---|---|
Reading | Reading comprehension of academic texts |
| 35 minutes |
Listening | Understanding spoken English in academic settings |
| 36 minutes |
Speaking | Verbal expression in academic contexts | 4 Tasks:
| 16 minutes |
Writing | Academic writing skills | 2 Tasks:
| 29 minutes |
The total duration of the TOEFL iBT test is approximately 2 hours (116 minutes).
When you pay your TOEFL test fee, it includes four free TOEFL score reports which ETS - the conducting body of the TOEFL exam would send to your pre-selected universities. Candidates wanting to send scorecards to additional universities can do so with an additional fee.
TOEFL Exam Syllabus 2026
The TOEFL iBT syllabus 2026 has changed. In Reading, you now see "Complete the Words" and short texts. Listening has quick conversations. The Speaking section adds a "Listen and Repeat" task. Writing includes "Build a Sentence". The syllabus is reduced, making the TOEFL exam shorter and easier for students.
| Section |
Time |
Questions/Tasks |
Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading |
35 minutes |
20 questions |
Long passages have to read and answer questions to show your understanding |
| Listening |
36 minutes |
28 questions |
Listen to passages and answer questions to check understanding |
| Speaking |
16 minutes |
4 tasks |
Speak on simple topics, and also give answers after reading or listening to short material. |
| Writing |
30 minutes |
2 tasks |
Write one essay after reading and listening, and one short response in a discussion format. |
Commonly asked questions
The TOEFL exam is held more than 170 times a year at official test centers. Most people take the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test).
You will hear English recordings. There are usually 3 to 4 lectures (classroom style) and 2 to 3 conversations (campus life). You have to listen carefully and answer questions. You can take notes while listening, which is very important.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language is an English test for students who want to study in English-speaking countries. The TOEFL iBT score is accepted in more than 13000 universities and institutions across 160+ countries.
TOEFL Exam Fee 2026
The TOEFL 2026 exam fee is same everywhere in India. The TOEFL iBT exam fee for Indian candidates is approximately INR 18,000. This amount of TOEF fees includes GST. While the base registration fee is often listed around INR 15,254, students must pay the full amount with taxes. Additional charges apply for late registration, rescheduling, or score reviews.
TOEFL iBT fees (India 2026)
| Keywords |
Amount (INR) |
|---|---|
| TOEFL Registration Fees |
17,999.72 |
| TOEFL Late Registration Fees |
3,900 |
| TOEFL Rescheduling Fees |
5,900 |
| TOEFL Canceled-Score Reinstatement Fees |
1,990 |
| TOEFL Additional Score Report Fees |
1,950 |
| TOEFL Speaking/Writing Section Review Fees |
7,900 |
Commonly asked questions
The TOEFL fees in India is INR 17,999.72. The TOEFL test fees with the test types has been mentioned below.
| TOEFL Test | TOEFL Exam Fee in Indian Rupees |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT Exam Fee | INR 17,999 |
| TOEFL at Home Exam Fee | INR 17,999 |
| TOEFL Essential Test Exam Fee | INR 9,996.78 |
The TOEFL fees in India is actually INR 18,000. One ETS official website you might see TOEFL iBT registration fees as INR 15,254, but that is only the base price. It does not include GST tax. So when you go for payment, the final TOEFL exam price will be 18,000 rupees.
How to Prepare for TOEFL?
There are two ways all exam-takers prepare for TOEFL i.e. self-study and attending coaching classes. Both these methods of studying have unique benefits and no one way is better than the other. If money is the prime consideration, then self-studies through TOEFL books and resources available on the ETS official website may be a better option. There are free prep materials, e-books, a beginner's guide and sample mock test papers to practise available ETS website. Similarly, if you need professional guidance to ensure you have an advantage in TOEFL exam preparation, then enrolling in a TOEFL coaching centre is the better option.
TOEFL Test monitors the candidates’ ability to understand the English language at the university level. The four sections on which the candidate’s ability is judged are reading, writing, listening, and speaking. While preparing for the test, l, candidates should understand the format of the test, the result, and the scoring system of the test. ETS, the conducting body of the TOEFL exam also provides free and paid study material, which is easily available on their official website.
Commonly asked questions
You can practice TOEFL reading by taking up reading passages. Give practice tests to get the real test feeling. Also read books and articles of different subjects to increase your reading better and understand English passages with ease.
Universities Accepting TOEFL Scores
More than 13,000+ schools in 160+ countries accept TOEFL scores. Schools in popular study destinations like the US, Canada, Australia, Germany, Ireland and the UK also accept TOEFL score. You can easily register for the TOEFL exam 2025 and pick your TOEFL test center as per your convenience.
Also read:
Commonly asked questions
There is no 'Pass' or 'Fail' score in TOEFL. The performance of the candidates is measured on candidates score out of 120.
TOEFL Test Scores
For understanding the TOEFL exam score, candidates need to understand how each section is scored. When you give the test, scores of the 2 sections, i.e, Speaking and Listening, are instantly available after the test. The official score of all 4 sections will come in 4- 8 days of taking the exam, One can check the TOEFL scores online. The printed score reports of candidates are sent through email after 11 days of the TOEFL test date.
The four-section scores of the TOEFL exam are divided as follows:
| Section |
Score Range |
Mean Scores* |
|---|---|---|
| Reading |
0–30 |
20 |
| Listening |
0–30 |
19 |
| Speaking |
0–30 |
19 |
| Writing |
0–30 |
20 |
| Total Score |
0–120 |
78 |
Commonly asked questions
You will see your unofficial scores for the Reading and Listening sections on the screen immediately after you finish. However, for Speaking and Writing, you have to wait. The full official score report usually comes online in 4 to 8 days.
In order to check theTOEFL score online, one can follow the below mentioned easy steps.
- Visit the official TOEFL website
- Select Member log-in
- Enter your TOEFL account credentials
- View your TOEFL Results
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