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The Reading Section (2026 version)


Lucas Fink
Lesson by Lucas Fink
Magoosh Expert

Summary
The new 2026 TOEFL reading section introduces significant changes, including a shorter, adaptive format with a mix of academic and daily life passages, emphasizing comprehension, time management, and practical reading strategies.
  • The reading section is divided into two modules, with the difficulty of the second module adapting based on performance in the first.
  • Three main task types are introduced: complete the words, read in daily life, and read an academic passage, each testing different reading skills.
  • The complete the words task focuses on understanding English sentence structure and vocabulary through context clues.
  • Daily life readings test the ability to grasp the purpose and infer information, while academic passages require higher-level comprehension skills.
  • Time management is crucial, with 27 minutes allocated for the entire section and no return to previous modules allowed.
  • Scoring is based on both accuracy and difficulty, with performance in a tougher second module potentially leading to a higher score.
  • Preparation tips include reading a variety of English materials daily, practicing both skimming and scanning techniques, and studying vocabulary in context.
Chapters
00:00
Introduction to the New TOEFL Reading Section
00:38
Understanding the Adaptive Format and Task Types
04:34
Strategies for Success in the Reading Section