23 lip Big Changes Coming to the TOEFL iBT® – Here’s What You Need to Know
As an official TOEFL test center, we are excited to share some major updates announced by ETS that will enhance the testing experience and better support students around the world. Starting May 30, 2025, and continuing into January 2026, the TOEFL iBT is undergoing a transformation focused on fairness, accessibility, and real-world relevance.
Here’s a quick breakdown of the changes and what they mean for you as a test taker:
Enhanced Home Testing Experience (Effective May 30, 2025)
For those taking the TOEFL iBT test at home, ETS is rolling out several improvements:
- Improved proctor training to ensure consistent, supportive test monitoring.
- AI-assisted identity verification, making the check-in process smoother and faster.
- Simplified registration process for an easier start to your testing journey.
These changes aim to reduce stress and make at-home testing more efficient and secure.
Adaptive & Personalized Testing (Coming January 2026)
The TOEFL iBT will introduce a multi-stage adaptive design for the Reading and Listening sections. That means the difficulty of the test will adjust based on your performance in real time — offering a more personalized and precise measure of your English proficiency.
Additionally, test content will better reflect real academic settings, including group discussions, project-based tasks, and modern, culturally relevant topics.
Updated Scoring System (Also from January 2026)
A new 1–6 band scoring scale will be added, aligned with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). This makes it easier for institutions to interpret your scores across global standards.
Your TOEFL iBT score report will include:
- The traditional 0–120 scale
- The new 1–6 band scores, offering more context for schools and employers
Technical & Support Enhancements
- Upgraded audio headsets will be available in all test centers globally, developed in partnership with Koss — a renowned audio company.
- Faster score delivery: Receive your scores within 72 hours.
- Improved prep materials: Free, updated study resources launching in July 2025 to help candidates prepare for the new format.
TOEFL iBT: Still the Gold Standard
The upcoming changes aim to keep the TOEFL iBT aligned with current academic and professional needs. It remains one of the most widely accepted English-language proficiency tests, recognized by over 13,000 institutions in more than 160 countries, including universities in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia.
Written by Anamarija Guć