ETS Announces Major Changes To TOEFL iBT Exam

ETS has announced a series of changes to the TOEFL iBT® test, which are intended to meet the needs of learners in India and around the world. Without compromising the integrity and dependability equitable and available to students.

Test takers who use the TOEFL iBT Home Edition will notice changes to the structure and assistance of the at-home testing procedure starting on May 30, 2025. In January 2026, more significant adjustments will be made to test adaptivity, turnaround time, and score reporting. Test security, fewer cancellations, and quicker score transmission are the main goals of these modifications.

At-Home Testing (beginning May 30, 2025)

Important components of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition have been updated to provide a smoother and more encouraging experience. These changes include:

● AI-assisted identification verification (ENTRUST) to verify test taker identity while decreasing check-in friction

● Streamlined registration and test-day workflow, lowering stress and administrative obstacles

● ETS-trained in-house proctors for reliable assistance throughout the testing session

Testing Process (Beginning January 2026)

For the Reading and Listening portions of the TOEFL iBT, ETS will use a multistage adaptive design. This implies that the test will modify itself in real time according to a student's performance. Additionally, contemporary, egalitarian subjects will be added to the conventional curriculum. The customised exam will:

● More accurately represent how students use English in authentic academic contexts, such as group discussions and project work

● Make use of pertinent, easily accessible, and well examined content to lessen cultural bias

Simpler scoring in line with International Standards (Starting January 2026)

TOEFL iBT will include an easy-to-understand score scale of 1–6 to its conventional scoring system.

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR), the most widely accepted framework for English proficiency worldwide, will be immediately aligned with this extra score, simplifying and standardising score interpretation:

Score reports will show both the conventional 0–120 scale and the 1–6 banded scale.

Other changes:

● Audio Equipment: Modern custom "stereophones," created in partnership with the well-known audio firm Koss, are replacing all test centre headphones globally.

● More preparation resources: Beginning in July, new resources—including free ones—will be made available to complement the improved TOEFL iBT experience.

● Quicker score reporting: Students can more confidently meet application deadlines because they will receive their scores in 72 hours or less.