Is TOEFL 2026 Easier Than 2025?
A data-driven analysis of the new TOEFL format. Our findings suggest the 2026 version may be more accessible for many test-takers.
Written by Kate Feng
HKIS English Teacher (20+ years) & TOEFL Content Developer at PrepEx
Key Differences at a Glance
A side-by-side comparison of the two TOEFL formats
| Feature | TOEFL 2025 (Current) | TOEFL 2026 (New) | Impact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Duration | ~2 hours | ~90 minutes | Easier |
| Scoring Scale | 0-120 (30 per section) | 1-6 bands (CEFR aligned) | Neutral |
| Reading/Listening | Fixed difficulty | Adaptive (adjusts to you) | Easier |
| Writing Tasks | Integrated essay + Academic Discussion | Build a Sentence + Email + Academic Discussion | Easier |
| Speaking Tasks | 4 tasks with 15-30s prep time | Listen & Repeat + Interview (no prep) | Mixed |
| Content Style | Academic-focused | Mix of academic + everyday | Easier |
| Question Types | Traditional formats | More interactive, game-like tasks | Easier |
5 Reasons TOEFL 2026 Is Easier
Structural changes that benefit most test-takers
TOEFL 2026 takes approximately 90 minutes compared to the ~2 hours required for the 2025 version. This 25% reduction in test time has several benefits:
- Less mental fatigue affecting your performance on later sections
- Reduced test anxiety from prolonged concentration
- More scheduling flexibility for test centers
The Reading and Listening sections now use multistage adaptive testing. This means:
- If you struggle early, subsequent questions are calibrated to your level
- You're less likely to face a string of impossible questions that tank your confidence
- The test measures your true ability more accurately
The dreaded integrated writing essay (20 minutes, 150-225 words synthesizing reading and lecture) is gone. In its place:
TOEFL 2025 Writing
- Integrated essay (20 min)
- Academic Discussion (10 min)
- Complex synthesis required
TOEFL 2026 Writing
- Build a Sentence (grammar)
- Write an Email (practical)
- Academic Discussion (kept)
TOEFL 2026 introduces real-world content alongside academic material:
- Daily Life Reading: Emails, menus, website content, announcements
- Choose a Response: Short listening clips with practical scenarios
- Announcements: Campus announcements, tour information
This everyday content is more familiar and less intimidating than dense academic passages about Greek mythology or particle physics.
Many new question types feel more like interactive exercises than traditional test questions:
- Complete the Words: Fill in missing letters (like a word game)
- Listen and Repeat: Pronunciation practice (familiar from language apps)
- Virtual Interview: Conversational speaking (feels natural)
What Might Be Harder
Some aspects require different skills
No Speaking Prep Time
The 2025 format gives you 15-30 seconds to prepare before speaking. In 2026, the Virtual Interview requires immediate responses—no time to mentally organize your answer or recall memorized templates.
Grammar Precision Matters More
Build a Sentence tasks directly test grammar accuracy. Students who relied on "good enough" grammar in essays may find these questions more demanding.
Faster Pace Overall
While the test is shorter, each section moves more quickly. There's less time to deliberate on individual questions.
Pronunciation Is Now Scored
Listen and Repeat tasks specifically evaluate pronunciation accuracy—something the 2025 format didn't isolate as a separate skill.
Our analysis shows that students improve 33% faster on Listen & Repeat tasks compared to traditional integrated speaking. After 6+ practice attempts, Listen & Repeat pass rates increase by roughly one-third from initial attempts, while traditional speaking scores show only ~9% improvement over the same practice volume. This suggests the 2026 speaking format rewards consistent practice more effectively.
Section-by-Section Comparison
How each section has changed
TOEFL 2025
- 2 passages, 20 questions
- 35 minutes total
- Academic content only
- Fixed difficulty
TOEFL 2026
- ~30 minutes total
- Adaptive difficulty
- Daily Life + Academic mix
- Complete the Words (new)
The addition of everyday reading materials (emails, menus, announcements) alongside academic texts makes this section more accessible for students who struggle with dense academic prose.
TOEFL 2025
- Lectures + conversations
- 36 minutes, 28 questions
- Academic lectures 5-6 min
- Fixed difficulty
TOEFL 2026
- ~29 minutes total
- Adaptive difficulty
- Choose a Response (short clips)
- Announcements (practical)
TOEFL 2025
- 4 tasks, 16 minutes
- 15-30 seconds prep time
- Templates work well
- Integrated tasks complex
TOEFL 2026
- ~8 minutes total
- Listen & Repeat (simple)
- Virtual Interview (natural)
- No prep time
The 2026 format rewards natural fluency over memorized templates. Students with good conversational English will find it easier; those who rely on prepared structures may struggle initially.
TOEFL 2025
- Integrated Essay (20 min)
- Academic Discussion (10 min)
- Complex synthesis required
- ~29 minutes total
TOEFL 2026
- Build a Sentence (grammar)
- Write an Email (practical)
- Academic Discussion (kept)
- ~23 minutes total
Removing the integrated essay eliminates one of the most challenging tasks in the current TOEFL. Email writing is a practical skill most students already use daily.
What Our Data Shows
Anonymized insights from PrepEx practice data
We analyzed performance data from students practicing both traditional TOEFL questions and the new 2026 format tasks. Here's what we found:
Higher success rate on 2026 speaking vs traditional
Average accuracy on Choose a Response tasks
Faster improvement on Listen & Repeat
Average time per 2026 task
Our most striking finding: students achieve passing scores on 2026 Virtual Interview tasks at nearly double the rate of traditional integrated speaking questions. We believe this is because:
- Interview-style questions allow natural responses
- No complex reading/lecture integration required
- Questions are more conversational and familiar
An unexpected discovery from our Choose a Response data: students practicing late at night (after midnight) achieved the highest accuracy rates at ~75%, compared to ~60% for morning practice sessions. While we can't explain this definitively, it may suggest that focused, distraction-free practice matters more than time of day.
Who Benefits Most from TOEFL 2026?
The new format favors certain student profiles
TOEFL 2026 Is Better If You...
- Struggle with test stamina and fatigue
- Have strong conversational English but weak academic writing
- Find memorized speaking templates difficult
- Prefer practical English over academic content
- Have good pronunciation and natural fluency
- Get frustrated by extremely difficult questions
Consider TOEFL 2025 If You...
- Already prepared extensively for current format
- Excel at integrated tasks and essays
- Rely heavily on speaking templates
- Need the prep time before speaking
- Are within 2-3 points of your target score
- Have weak grammar accuracy
Final Verdict
Based on structural changes and our performance data, TOEFL 2026 is easier for most students. The shorter duration, adaptive testing, practical content, and elimination of the integrated essay all contribute to a more accessible exam. The main exceptions are students who rely on memorized speaking templates or need prep time to organize their thoughts.
If you're starting fresh, we recommend preparing for TOEFL 2026. If you're close to your target score on the current format, finish what you started.
Practice TOEFL 2026 TasksFrequently Asked Questions
Is TOEFL 2026 officially easier than 2025?
ETS maintains that both versions measure the same proficiency standards. However, structural changes—shorter duration, adaptive testing, practical content, and removal of the integrated essay—make the 2026 format more accessible for many students. Our data shows higher success rates on 2026-style tasks.
When does TOEFL 2026 launch?
TOEFL 2026 launched on January 21, 2026. All tests from this date forward use the new format. The 2025 format is no longer available.
Will universities accept TOEFL 2026 scores?
Yes. ETS works directly with universities to ensure score equivalency. Your TOEFL 2026 score report includes both the new 1-6 band score and a 0-120 equivalent for easy comparison with older requirements.
How should I prepare for TOEFL 2026 speaking without prep time?
Practice spontaneous responses daily. Use tools like PrepEx's Petra AI coach for real-time conversation practice. Focus on building natural fluency rather than memorizing templates. The Virtual Interview rewards authentic communication over rehearsed structures.
What is adaptive testing in TOEFL 2026?
Adaptive testing adjusts question difficulty based on your performance. In TOEFL 2026, Reading and Listening use "multistage adaptive" testing—if you answer initial questions correctly, subsequent questions become harder. If you struggle, they become easier. This helps measure your true ability more accurately and can reduce frustration.
Prepare for TOEFL 2026
Free study guides for all new task types
Practice all TOEFL 2026 task types
Simulate the complete 2026 exam
Practice 2026 Speaking with Petra AI
Conversational AI coach for Interview Speaking practice
About the Author
Kate Feng
TOEFL Content Developer at PrepEx
Kate brings over 20 years of English language teaching experience from Hong Kong International School (HKIS). Her expertise spans TOEFL preparation, academic writing, and English proficiency assessment. She has been tracking TOEFL 2026 changes since ETS first announced them in May 2025.