The TOEFL is Changing on January 21, 2026

If you'll be taking the TOEFL before Jan. 21, 2026, you'll be taking the "current version" of the TOEFL.

However, if you'll be taking the TOEFL on or after Jan. 21, 2026, you'll be taking the "2026 TOEFL," which will look considerably different.

Read on for more details about the changes. For even more information, take a look at our free introductory lessons:

Can I Use Magoosh to Study for the New 2026 TOEFL?

Yes! We've already released new lessons, questions, practice tests, and explanations specifically for the new version of the TOEFL.

To access this content, from your Magoosh dashboard, you can freely toggle your account to the new version. Also, you can always toggle back to the original version if you decide to study for the current TOEFL. So, no matter which version of the TOEFL you choose to study for, you'll have access to the relevant content that you need.

Can I Use Magoosh to Study for the Current TOEFL?

Yes! All of our current lessons, questions, practice tests, and explanations will continue to be accessible until Jan. 21, 2026.

From your Magoosh dashboard, you can always toggle your account to study for either version of the test, including the current version. Again, no matter which version of the TOEFL you choose to study for, you'll have access to the relevant content that you need.

What Does the New 2026 TOEFL Look Like?

How Does This Compare to the Current TOEFL?

Structure Differences

First, here's the structure of the current TOEFL:

At a high level, the new 2026 TOEFL has the following features:

• New Question Types: These are now referred to as "items" instead of "questions" and "tasks". And though there are more items, many of them take far less time to answer.
• Shorter Length: 1.5 hours instead of 2 hours
• New Scoring Scale: The 2026 TOEFL will use a 1-to-6 band system, similar to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). (However, your exam will also include a score out of 120 for easy comparison.)
• Adaptive Sections: the Reading and Listening Sections are now adaptive. In other words, later questions will become harder or easier based on how well you answer earlier questions.

Content Differences

On the whole, the content of the 2026 TOEFL is more modern and includes topics from daily life rather than just academics. The new version of the exam also features brand new kinds of question types (many of which are shorter, more interactive, and even a little game-like—such as filling in the missing letters in a sentence).

Here is a quick look at some differences by section:

• Reading: you'll still see academic texts but also excerpts from everyday materials
• Listening: in addition to the normal lectures, you'll now listen to conversations from daily life
• Writing: new question types include writing a brief email and posting a message on an academic discussion forum
• Speaking: you'll now repeat phrases that you hear and participate in a kind of simulated interview