NEWLY REDESIGNED TOEFL IBT FORMAT

: Super User; в Blog; 13 января 2026; Просмотров: 317

ETS is introducing a newly redesigned TOEFL iBT format that officially launches on January 21, 2026. This isn’t just a minor tweak; it’s a significant overhaul of several key elements of the test

Here’s what’s confirmed about the new 2026 TOEFL iBT:

📍 1. New Scoring Scale

Starting January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT will move to a new 1–6 scoring scale for each section and the overall score. This replaces the classic 0–30 section scores and total 0–120 score.
Scores will be aligned with the CEFR language proficiency levels (A1–C2), making them easier to interpret globally.
For about two years after the change, ETS will provide a comparable old-style 0–120 overall score on reports to ease transition.

📍 2. Adaptive Test Structure

The updated test introduces adaptive testing — the difficulty of questions adjusts based on your performance in real time, especially in Listening and Reading.
This aims to give a more personalized and efficient assessment of English ability.

📍 3. More Relevant, Modern Content

ETS is replacing some older “academic” topics with content drawn from real student experiences, campus life, and modern reading/listening materials, including contemporary academic texts and everyday English usage.

📍 4. Faster, Streamlined Processes

The overall experience — from booking to scoring — is being simplified, and score reporting is becoming faster. Some sources note scores will be available much more quickly after testing.

❗Important Notes

Tests taken before January 21, 2026 will still use the old format (0–120 scoring, traditional structure).
Tests on or after January 21, 2026 will use the new format with the updated scoring scale and adaptive elements.

📘 Overview of the New TOEFL iBT (2026)

Launch date: January 21, 2026 — tests taken on/after this date use the new format.
Scoring:
• Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) is scored 1–6 (with half bands) and averaged for an overall score.
• During a two-year transition (2026–2028), ETS also reports an equivalent 0–120 score to help institutions interpret scores.
Adaptive testing: Reading and Listening are now multistage adaptive — questions adjust based on your performance.
Approximate total time: ~1.5–2 hours (adaptive, so exact time varies).

📖 1. Reading Section

What’s new? Reading is adaptive and includes three distinct task types rather than long static passages:

🧩 A) Complete the Words

You’ll see a paragraph with some words partially missing letters.

Example-style item:
Complete each word with the correct letters:
The scientist conducted an experi_____ to test her hypothesis.
A) experiment
B) experment
C) experament
D) experimente

🗞️ B) Read in Daily Life

Short, practical texts from everyday contexts (emails, notices, messages).

Example-style passage & questions:
Email:
“Due to room maintenance, the 3 PM French class will be moved to Room 204B.”

What is the main purpose of this email?
A) Request feedback
B) Announce a schedule change
C) Cancel a class
D) Invite students to a session

📚 C) Read an Academic Passage

Similar to the traditional TOEFL reading — longer university-level texts with multiple questions.

Example-style comprehension question:
After reading a 200-word passage on sustainable agriculture:
“What does the author imply about crop rotation?”
A) It increases soil fertility.
B) It reduces water usage.
C) It creates more plant diseases.
D) It depends on fertilizer type.

🎧 2. Listening Section

Listening is also adaptive and includes four item types — many shorter than older TOEFL listening items:

🎙️ A) Listen and Choose a Response

Short audio snippet; pick the best answer.

Example:
Audio: “Where should I put these extra chairs?”
A) On the balcony.
B) They’re too heavy.
C) The meeting is canceled.
D) It’s almost lunchtime.

🗣️ B) Listen to a Conversation

Campus dialogues (e.g., student-staff, student-student).

Example question:
In a conversation about a group project, what must they submit by Friday?
A) Research notes
B) The first draft
C) Final presentation slides
D) Peer evaluations

📣 C) Listen to an Announcement

Announcements about campus life.

Example:
“The library will close at 7 PM tonight due to a power outage.”
Why is the announcement made?
A) To explain a schedule change
B) To request volunteers
C) To introduce new software
D) To remind about parking rules

📚 D) Listen to an Academic Talk

Short lecture segments with comprehension questions.

Example:
Lecture: Lecture on climate models
“What does the professor identify as a limitation of current models?”
A) They ignore ocean currents.
B) They assume constant temperature.
C) They predict too much rain.
D) They use outdated data.

✍️ 3. Writing Section

Writing now consists of three concise task types, focusing on practical communication and academic expressions.

🧱 A) Build a Sentence

You’re given a jumbled set of words — arrange them into a correct sentence.

Example-style item:
Words: the / meeting / postponed / due / was / weather / to

Tests syntax and grammar.

📧 B) Write an Email

Write a short email in response to a situation.

Example prompt:
Your professor asks you for a meeting time. Write an email suggesting a time and explaining your schedule.

👉 Focus on clarity, tone, and completeness — this tests real written communication.

🗣️ C) Academic Discussion Post

Respond to a forum post with thoughtful academic engagement.

Example prompt:
Classmate: “Online courses should replace traditional classes because they’re more accessible.” Do you agree? Why or why not?

👉 Your answer should state your opinion and provide reasons/examples.

🗣️ 4. Speaking Section

Speaking is much shorter than before and has just two task types.

🔁 A) Listen and Repeat

You hear sentences and repeat them — tests pronunciation and accuracy.

Example prompt audio:
“The biology lab opens at eight in the morning.”
You repeat it clearly and accurately.

These get longer and more complex as you go.

🎤 B) Take an Interview

Short interview-style questions requiring spontaneous responses.

Example prompts:

What advice would you give a new student at your university?
Describe a memorable group project you participated in and explain why it stood out.

👉 Answer in full sentences with clear organization.

🧠 What the New Format Tests Overall

• Relevance & context comprehension: tasks include everyday English — emails, notices, announcements.
• Adaptive proficiency measurement: Reading and Listening adjust difficulty to pinpoint your level.
• Practical communication: Writing and Speaking emphasize real tasks (emails, discussions, interviews) — not just isolated recall.

🛠️ Tips for Practicing These New Task Types

Reading:
• Practice fill-in-the-blank vocabulary in context.
• Build fast comprehension for short everyday texts.

Listening:
• Listen to quick responses and make inferences.
• Practice real conversations and announcements.

Writing:
• Build clean, grammatically correct sentences.
• Write clear, polite emails.

Speaking:
• Practice repeating varied sentences aloud.
• Practice answering interview questions with structure.

I’ll keep the format clean and exam-like, not “toy examples”.

🧪 NEW TOEFL iBT (2026) — FULL PRACTICE SET

📖 READING — 10 QUESTIONS

Task Type 1: Complete the Words (Vocabulary in Context)

1️⃣
The university plans to ex___ the library to include more study spaces.
A) expend
B) expand
C) expel
D) export

2️⃣
The professor’s explanation was so co___ that many students asked for clarification.
A) complete
B) complex
C) concrete
D) concise

3️⃣
The results were not con___ enough to support the theory.
A) conclusive
B) continuous
C) convenient
D) confident

Task Type 2: Read in Daily Life

Text:

Students must submit their ID cards at the front desk before entering the examination hall.

4️⃣ What is the purpose of this notice?
A) To explain exam rules
B) To request feedback
C) To announce exam results
D) To invite students

Text:

Due to severe weather conditions, all evening classes will be conducted online.

5️⃣ What will happen to evening classes?
A) They are cancelled
B) They are postponed
C) They will move online
D) They will end earlier

Task Type 3: Academic Passage

Passage (excerpt):

Crop rotation improves soil quality by alternating plant species that use different nutrients.

6️⃣ What does the author suggest about crop rotation?
A) It reduces crop yield
B) It improves soil nutrients
C) It increases pesticide use
D) It harms biodiversity

7️⃣ The word “alternating” is closest in meaning to:
A) Repeating
B) Comparing
C) Switching
D) Removing

8️⃣ What can be inferred about soil quality?
A) It depends only on fertilizers
B) It benefits from plant diversity
C) It decreases over time
D) It is unaffected by crops

9️⃣ Which sentence best summarizes the passage?
A) Crop rotation is costly
B) Crop rotation benefits agriculture
C) Crops damage soil
D) Fertilizers are essential

🔟 What is the author’s main purpose?
A) To criticize farming
B) To describe an agricultural method
C) To compare farming systems
D) To propose new research

🎧 LISTENING — 10 QUESTIONS

(Read the transcript as if you heard it once.)

Task Type 1: Listen and Choose a Response

1️⃣ Audio:

“Do you know where the biology lecture is held?”

A) At nine o’clock
B) In Building C
C) Yes, I studied biology
D) It was interesting

2️⃣ Audio:

“Why didn’t you attend the seminar yesterday?”

A) Yesterday was Tuesday
B) I was ill
C) The seminar is useful
D) Yes, I agree

Task Type 2: Conversation

Transcript:

Student: I’m worried about the deadline for the research paper.
Advisor: You can request an extension if you provide a valid reason.

3️⃣ What does the advisor suggest?
A) Submitting late
B) Asking for help
C) Requesting an extension
D) Changing topics

4️⃣ Why is the student worried?
A) The topic is difficult
B) The deadline is approaching
C) The advisor is unavailable
D) The paper was rejected

Task Type 3: Announcement

Transcript:

“The campus gym will be closed this weekend for maintenance.”

5️⃣ Why is the gym closed?
A) Holiday
B) Repairs
C) Weather
D) Low attendance

6️⃣ When will the gym reopen?
A) Monday
B) Sunday evening
C) Next month
D) Not stated

Task Type 4: Academic Talk

Transcript (excerpt):

The professor explains that early climate models failed to account for ocean currents.

7️⃣ What was a limitation of early climate models?
A) Poor technology
B) Lack of data
C) Ignoring ocean currents
D) Human error

8️⃣ Why are ocean currents important?
A) They control rainfall patterns
B) They store carbon
C) They affect global temperatures
D) They reduce pollution

9️⃣ What is the lecture mainly about?
A) Weather forecasting
B) Climate modeling development
C) Oceanography
D) Renewable energy

🔟 What is the professor’s tone?
A) Critical
B) Humorous
C) Informative
D) Emotional

✍️ WRITING — 10 TASKS

Task Type 1: Build a Sentence

1️⃣
Words: postponed / was / lecture / the / illness / due / to

2️⃣
Words: students / required / submit / are / assignment / the

3️⃣
Words: technology / learning / modern / transformed / has

Task Type 2: Write an Email

4️⃣ Prompt:
Your professor asks when you are available for a meeting.

✅ Sample Answer:

Dear Professor,
I am available on Tuesday or Thursday afternoon after 2 p.m. Please let me know which time suits you best.
Kind regards,
Alex

5️⃣ Prompt:
Explain why you missed a class.

✅ Sample Answer:

I was unable to attend the lecture due to a medical appointment. I have reviewed the materials and will catch up fully.

6️⃣ Prompt:
Request an extension politely.

✅ Sample Answer:

I would like to request a short extension due to unforeseen circumstances. I would appreciate your consideration.

Task Type 3: Academic Discussion

7️⃣ Prompt:
Online learning is more effective than traditional classrooms. Do you agree?

✅ Sample Answer:

While online learning offers flexibility, traditional classrooms encourage interaction. Therefore, a blended approach is most effective.

8️⃣ Prompt:
Should students work while studying?

✅ Sample Answer:

Part-time work can build responsibility, but it should not interfere with academic performance.

9️⃣ Prompt:
Is technology making students less focused?

✅ Sample Answer:

Although technology can distract students, when used correctly it enhances learning efficiency.

🔟 Prompt:
Should exams be replaced by projects?

✅ Sample Answer:

Projects assess practical skills, but exams remain important for evaluating individual understanding.

🗣️ SPEAKING — 10 TASKS

Task Type 1: Listen and Repeat

(Say these aloud clearly.)

1️⃣ The seminar has been rescheduled to Friday afternoon.
2️⃣ Students are encouraged to participate actively in discussions.
3️⃣ Academic success requires consistent effort and planning.
4️⃣ The library remains open until midnight during exams.
5️⃣ Environmental issues demand international cooperation.

📝 Scoring focuses on accuracy, stress, rhythm, and pronunciation.

Task Type 2: Interview Response

6️⃣ What advice would you give a new university student?
✅ Strong response idea: Time management + asking for help early.

7️⃣ Describe a challenge you overcame while studying.
✅ Focus on problem → action → result.

8️⃣ Do you prefer group work or individual work? Why?

9️⃣ Describe a course that influenced you.

🔟 What skill is most important for academic success?

📝 Scoring focuses on clarity, coherence, vocabulary range, and fluency.