Major Changes in TOEFL Effective from 2026

For students preparing to attempt the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), 2026 is an important year. The test is looking at its biggest revamping yet. The host, Educational Testing Service (ETS), recently announced incoming changes that will be effective starting in 2026. The TOEFL, a globally recognized test in over 11000 universities around the globe, is now turning more personalized and adaptive to cater to the needs of a new generation of applicants. 

A multi-stage adaptive design

The most notable change in the structure of the program involves the introduction of what ETS calls a ‘multi-stage adaptive design’. Specifically targeted at the reading and listening sections, the feature is programmed in a manner that the test will adjust its difficulty level in real-time on the basis on how well a student progresses in the test. In an attempt to replace the earlier system wherein all candidates receive the same set of questions to answer, an adaptive design will present more challenging content to high-performing students and appropriate-level questions to others.  

The conventional one-size-fits-all model that previously delimited several candidates has now been refashioned to test how students actually use English in a real academic environment. The test will now incorporate scenarios such as group discussions and project work. thereby making it more relevant to real university experiences that the student is likely to have.

Content modernization

Content modernization is another key area of change. ETS is now moving away from culturally specific topics that might disadvantage certain students. Out go references to Greek mythology and other niche subjects that favor students from particular educational backgrounds. As a replacement, the test will now include more contemporary and globally relevant academic content that any student can relate to, regardless of their cultural background.

Scoring system 

The scoring system is also getting an overhaul. While maintaining the traditional 0-120 scale that institutions know well, TOEFL will also introduce an additional 1-6 banded scale. This new scoring system is in line with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the world's most widely recognized English proficiency standard. 

Testing right from the comfort of your home

For students taking the home edition, improvements have already begun taking effect. From May 2025, the at-home testing experience has become much more streamlined with ETS-trained in-house proctors offering consistent support throughout the session. Supplementing this is the introduction of an AI-assisted identity verification called ENTRUST. This AI-backed addition promises to make the check-in process a lot smoother. Acknowledging that test anxiety often begins for students even before they enter the hall, registration and test-day procedures are being simplified to reduce administrative stress. By addressing any logistical hurdles, the committee is hoping to help students put in their best effort on exam day.  

Changes that holds the promise of a better tomorrow 

For Omar Chihane, the Global General Manager of TOEFL at ETS, these revisions hit a little close to home.  Having learned English outside a formal classroom himself, he understands the challenges that non-traditional learners and those from low and middle-income countries face. Acknowledging that all aspirants ought to get a fair chance without being disadvantaged as a result of how or where they learned English, these modifications build upon previous changes that were made in 2023. Previously, ETS cut down on the test duration from three hours to less than two. The newer format also allows candidates to view their official score release date immediately upon completing the test. 

Take the next step today

We know that preparing and attempting the TOEFL is not easy. We know that for you, it depends on several things, even things like the test duration. Despite individual limitations, we know that with the right guidance, any student will be able to succeed in the test. To help you achieve your TOEFL goals and realize your overseas dreams, we offer comprehensive coaching classes designed to maximize your potential. 

Our program includes:

• Full-length Mock Tests to simulate the real exam experience

• Doubt Sessions to address your specific concerns and questions

• Additional Study Material based on the latest test pattern

• Flexible Online Classes to fit your schedule

• Personalized Classes Available upon request

• Proven Track Record of overall 7+ band scores

• Proven tips and strategies for TOEFL success

We are committed to helping more students live out their overseas dreams. For more personal guidance on TOEFL and studying abroad, book a session with us today. Please call us at +919654223759 or send an email to info@uninxt.com. 

Good luck on your TOEFL journey!