The TOEFL exam has introduced a new 90-minute format in 2026, featuring faster sections, adaptive testing, new speaking and writing tasks, and tighter timing, making speed and accuracy more critical than ever.
The TOEFL exam has undergone significant changes in 2026, reducing the total test duration to 90 minutes and introducing new question formats across sections. Test takers now face quicker response windows, adaptive difficulty levels, and no scheduled breaks.
One of the biggest updates is in the speaking section, where a new Listen and Repeat task requires candidates to repeat sentences immediately without preparation time. In listening, certain questions allow only 8 to 10 seconds for responses, increasing time pressure.
The writing section now includes email writing and sentence building tasks that demand strong grammar and faster typing. The reading passages are shorter, around 200 words, but section level timing requires careful time management.
Unscored questions remain embedded throughout reading and listening, and candidates cannot identify them. The adaptive system increases difficulty based on performance.
Experts advise practicing with exact timers and improving typing speed to at least 40 words per minute to stay competitive under the new format.
[Source: Test Glider]
