TOEFL iBT Overview: Format & Scoring
The TOEFL iBT test has four sections (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) and takes under two hours on a computer. Since January 2026 it reports each section and an overall score on a 1 to 6 scale, with a comparable 0 to 120 score during a two-year transition.
Level: B2. The TOEFL iBT test is a fully computer-based English test for study and work. It changed in January 2026: the sections are shorter and the score is now reported on a 1 to 6 scale. This page explains the current format and scoring so you know exactly what to expect.
By the end of this page you can…
…list the four sections with their items and timing, read your result on the 1 to 6 scale, and understand the 0 to 120 transition score.
The four sections
You take the sections in a fixed order: Reading, then Listening, then Writing, then Speaking. Reading and Listening are multistage adaptive, which means your performance on the first part decides the difficulty of the second part, so the test tailors itself to your level (ETS).
| Section | Items | Approx. time | Task types |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 50 | ~30 min | Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage |
| Listening | 47 | ~29 min | Choose a Response, a Conversation, an Announcement, an Academic Talk |
| Writing | 12 | ~23 min | Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion |
| Speaking | 11 | ~8 min | Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview |
Plan for under two hours in total, with no scheduled breaks. The times above do not include the on-screen directions (ETS).
How it is scored
Since 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT reports four section scores and an overall score on a 1 to 6 scale, in half-point increments, aligned to the CEFR (ETS). The overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band — for example, an average of 5.25 becomes 5.5.
For a two-year transition period after January 2026, your report also shows a comparable overall score on the older 0 to 120 scale, representing the midpoint of the matching range. You do not convert anything yourself: both numbers appear on the official report, so you can meet a requirement listed in either scale (ETS).
| Overall (1–6) | Comparable total (0–120) |
|---|---|
| 6 | 114+ |
| 5.5 | 107+ |
| 5 | 95+ |
| 4.5 | 86+ |
| 4 | 72+ |
| 3.5 | 58+ |
| 3 | 44+ |
(From the ETS comparison table for the 1 to 6 and 0 to 120 scales.)
Getting and sending your scores
Your official scores appear in your ETS account about three days after the test, and a PDF report is ready a day later. Your fee includes up to four free score reports sent to institutions; additional reports cost US$25 each (ETS).
You can request a score review for Speaking and/or Writing within 30 days, for a fee, but only before you have sent your scores to any institution. Reading and Listening scores cannot be reviewed (ETS).
Vocabulary you’ll meet
Tap a word to hear it. These are the terms used on the TOEFL iBT and in your score report.
- a sectionone of the four parts: Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking.
- an itema single question or task inside a section.
- multistage adaptivea test whose later part changes difficulty based on your earlier answers.
- an overall scorethe single result that averages your four section scores.
- to roundto adjust a number to the nearest half point on the scale.
- a proctorthe person who monitors you during an at-home test.
- a transition periodthe two years when both score scales are reported together.
- comparableroughly equal, so one scale can be read against the other.
- a score reportthe official document showing your scores, sent to institutions.
- a score reviewa paid re-check of your Speaking or Writing score.
- to be validto still count; TOEFL scores stay valid for two years.
- a requirementthe minimum score an institution asks you to reach.
Practice
TOEFL iBT format and scoring practice
Try each one, then press Check. No sign-up, nothing is sent anywhere — it all runs in your browser.
2 Match each section to its number of items.
- Reading
- Listening
- Writing
- Speaking
Show answer
- Reading → 50
- Listening → 47
- Writing → 12
- Speaking → 11
These are the item counts for the current four sections.
Hint: half-point increments, aligned to the CEFR
Show answer
6 — The current scale runs from 1 to 6 in half-point steps.
4 Put the four sections in the order you take them.
Show answer
Reading Listening Writing Speaking — TOEFL iBT is delivered Reading, Listening, Writing, then Speaking.
Hint: rounded to the nearest half band
Show answer
5.5 — The overall is the average rounded to the nearest half band, so 5.25 becomes 5.5.
Quick recap before the quiz.
Quiz
TOEFL iBT overview quiz
11 questions · pick an answer and you'll see straight away if it's right.
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Show answer
four — Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.
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under two hours — ETS says to allow about two hours, with no scheduled breaks.
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Reading — The order is Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking.
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1 to 6 — Since January 2026 scores are on a 1 to 6 scale aligned to the CEFR.
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Show answer
0 to 120 scale — A comparable 0 to 120 total is shown for two years after January 2026.
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the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band — It averages the four sections and rounds to the nearest half band.
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multistage adaptive — Their second part adapts to your first-part performance.
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about three days after the test — Official scores appear in your ETS account about three days later.
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two years — Scores are valid for two years from the test date.
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Speaking and/or Writing within 30 days — Only Speaking and Writing can be reviewed, within 30 days and before sending scores.
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yes, your report shows both numbers — The report includes both scales, so no conversion is needed.
Recap cheat-sheet
| Thing | The detail |
|---|---|
| Sections | Reading 50, Listening 47, Writing 12, Speaking 11 |
| Order | Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking |
| Length | under two hours, no breaks |
| Scale (from Jan 2026) | 1 to 6, half-point steps |
| Transition score | comparable 0 to 120 for two years |
| Overall | average of four, rounded to nearest half |
| Validity | two years; no pass or fail |
How to prepare with this course
The B2 level this test targets is built skill by skill here:
- Reading under time: try the B2 reading practice and the wider practice pages.
- Grammar range: work the grammar lessons at B2 and above for the accuracy Writing and Speaking reward.
- Vocabulary: the vocabulary sets build academic and everyday range.
- Choosing between exams? See the English exams hub.
Next
- Rehearse reading: English Reading Practice: Upper-Intermediate
- Build accuracy: English Grammar lessons
- Compare the exams: English exams hub
- New here? Start with Start Learning English Here
All English exams topics
Vocabulary, pronunciation, phrases, practice and exam help, ordered by level. Pick a topic and go straight to it. New lessons go live every day, so topics marked Coming soon fill in over the next weeks.
Exams
A2 1 topics · 1 ready
B1 6 topics · 6 ready
B2 12 topics · 12 ready
- 08 IELTS Reading: Format & Strategies
- 09 IELTS Academic Writing Task 1
- 10 IELTS Writing Task 2 (Essay)
- 11 IELTS Speaking: Parts 1-3
- 12 TOEFL iBT Overview: Format & Scoring You are here
- 13 TOEFL Reading Strategies
- 14 TOEFL Listening Strategies
- 15 TOEFL Speaking Tasks
- 16 TOEFL Writing (incl. Integrated)
- 17 B2 First (FCE) Overview
- 18 Exam Essay & Writing Skills
- 19 Exam Speaking Strategies