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Overview and Content for the Shorter TOEFL iBT® Test

 

Starting July 26, 2023, the TOEFL iBT® test will take just under 2 hours to complete. This makes it the shortest of the three most popular English-language tests. You’ll experience:

  • streamlined instructions and navigation
  • a shortened Reading section with only two reading passages and 10 questions each
  • a more concise and modern Writing task which replaces the current Independent Writing task
  • removal of all unscored test questions

Test overview*

Here’s what to expect for tests starting July 26, 2023.

 

TOEFL iBT Test Structure
for tests starting July 26, 2023

Section

No. of Questions

Estimated Timing

Reading

20 questions

35 minutes

Listening

28 questions

36 minutes

Speaking

4 tasks

16 minutes

Writing

2 tasks

29 minutes

Total Time

 Under 2 hours

 

*Does not apply to the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition test

Play video button Write For Academic Discussions

New Writing Task

Only one TOEFL iBT question type is changing. A new, more modern Writing task, called “Writing for an Academic Discussion,” will replace the current Independent Writing task. In this task you will be asked to state and support an opinion on a given topic in an online class discussion.

View Transcript

The score range of 0–30 will remain the same for each section of the TOEFL iBT test. The TOEFL iBT Writing Scoring Guide - Updated (PDF) provides performance and scoring guidance for better understanding of the new Writing task.

You can prepare for the TOEFL iBT test, including the new Writing task, with the new practice questions and other updated prep resources.

Discover prep resources