TOEFL iBT — your starting guide

The exam at a glance

The general January 2026 TOEFL format uses adaptive reading and listening alongside writing and speaking. These section estimates do not establish the format of a separately specified Australia booking.

Allow approximately two hours. Directions and adaptation mean the section estimates are not the appointment duration.

Is this the test you need?

Applicants needing an accepted four-skill English result.

• Choose test-centre or Home Edition only after checking recipient acceptance.
• The section figures below describe the general format introduced on 21 January 2026. Applicants using TOEFL for Australia must check that separately specified route before choosing preparation.
• Immigration routes can specify a particular version; university acceptance is a separate check.

A sensible preparation route

1. Confirm the booked version first. Use January 2026 general-test material only for that version; follow ETS’s Australia guidance where applicable.
2. Practise short reading and listening decisions, email/discussion writing and current speaking task types.
3. Use official practice for format familiarity; do not convert a short quiz result into a TOEFL score.

Independent guidance from Via Glowbal. We are not this exam’s provider and do not guarantee admission or a particular score.