Enhancing the TOEFL iBT for Today’s Learners
2 Min Read
ETS has announced several upcoming changes to the TOEFL iBT test that will make the exam more accessible, receptive, and aligned with the requirements of progressive students. These updates, scheduled across mid-2025 and early 2026, aim to upgrade the testing experience, ease test-day stress, and better exhibit real-life academic communication.
1. Improved At-Home Testing Setup
(Effective from May 30, 2025)
Students taking the TOEFL iBT from home will benefit & gain from a more supportive and rationalised process, including:
- Direct support from trained ETS staff during the entire test session.
- Smoother & Efficient identity verification using AI-based tools.
- A more user-friendly & comprehensible registration process and check-in experience to minimize hassle and uncertainty.
2. Adaptive Testing for Reading and Listening
(Launching January 2026)
Variations are being made to make sure the test better reflects individual performance and academic use of English:
- The test will modify question difficulty based on how the student is performing.
- Topics will shift to real-world academic themes, aiding students to engage with content that feels more familiar and less culturally specific.
3. Updated Scoring System Linked to Global Standards
(Launching January 2026)
A streamlined scoring band will be introduced to complement the current scale:
- In addition to the conventional score out of 120, students will also receive a 1–6 competence band.
- This new scale will be aligned with international language standards (CEFR), making it easier for students and institutions to translate & interpret results and compare across systems.
4. Faster Score Turnaround
Students will now receive their results within three days or less, providing faster feedback for application planning and submissions.
5. Upgraded Test Center Equipment
To ensure enhanced listening quality during the test, all TOEFL test centers globally will be equipped with anew designed audio headsets.
6. More Resources for Preparation
From July 2025, students will have access to a varied range of revised practice materials, incorporating free content to help them practice effectively for the new test format.
7. Simplified Booking Process
A remodeled registration system will make it simpler for students to select test centers, dates, or choose the home testing option—all with fewer steps and clearer guidance.
A Smarter, Student-Focused TOEFL iBT
These changes are part of ETS’s larger try to make certain the TOEFL iBT remains both academically thorough, rigorous and user-friendly. Students can expect a test experience that is faster, fairer, and more profound of how English is used in real academic settings—while institutions continue to count on its trusted standards.
TOEFL iBT continues to be accepted by all major universities in the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and over 13,000 institutions globally, reaffirming its place as a leading choice for English language testing.
Source: ETS.ORG
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