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Starting January 21, 2026, TOEFL will switch to a 1–6 scoring scale in 0.5 increments, aligned with CEFR levels. This article summarizes the official ETS conversion table, explains how the 1–6 scores correspond to the 0–120 scale, what to do when university requirements still list the old scores, and the transition arrangements through January 2028.

Based on the 2026 TOEFL test specifications and writing rubrics released by ETS, this guide breaks down the 12-question structure of the Writing section (10 sentence-building questions, an email, and an academic discussion), explains why the Writing section is not adaptive, and shows how to practice sentence-building by pattern, write clear and appropriate emails, and understand the specific differences between 5, 4, and 3 scores in the academic discussion rubric, complete with a four-week practice plan.

Based on the ETS official website's overview of the new 2026 TOEFL Listening test, this guide explains what each of the four task types (Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement, and Listen to an Academic Lecture) assesses—such as intent, implied meaning, purpose, next steps, structure, and inference—and provides tailored practice methods for each. It uses official 'Inside the TOEFL' examples to demonstrate how to practice 'implied meaning' questions, how to take effective notes, and why it is crucial to stay steady during the first stage of the multistage adaptive test, concluding with a four-week practice plan.

The new TOEFL Reading section features about 50 questions in 30 minutes, following ETS test specifications. Of these, 30 are vocabulary completion questions, with 5 to 15 questions each for everyday scenario and academic text reading. Based on official question type descriptions, this article explains what each of the three question types tests, how to practice them, and what the adaptive design means.

Starting in 2026, the TOEFL Speaking section will only feature two question types: 7 listen-and-retell questions and 4 simulated interview questions. According to the official scoring rubrics, missing a single function word or word ending in the retell can drop your score from a 5 to a 4; the 45-second interview requires you to answer, elaborate, and speak naturally. This article breaks down the scoring rubrics point by point and provides corresponding practice strategies.

Starting in January 2026, the TOEFL has switched to a 1-6 scoring scale, with the old 100 falling into the new overall score of 5. A 5 in Speaking is equivalent to 25-26 in the old system, making it the highest threshold among the four sections. This article uses ETS's official conversion and new formats to clarify the target score for each section and how to practice.
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"When I first started preparing, Reading and Listening were the sections I struggled with most. My teacher adjusted the training focus based on each practice session, helping me gradually master more consistent test-taking strategies."
"Speaking was always the section I felt least confident about. After targeted expression training and mock practice, I saw significant improvements in both the structure and fluency of my responses."
"My tutor tailored our practice sessions to focus on the question types I found most challenging and analyzed my performance after each session. After systematic preparation, my performance across all four sections became much more consistent."
"From foundational training to mock exams, each stage had clear learning objectives. By continuously reviewing mistakes and adjusting my strategies, I felt much more confident going into the actual test."
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