How long does the new TOEFL iBT take from January 2026?
From 21 January 2026, the redesigned TOEFL iBT takes roughly 90 minutes in total, down from the older, longer format. It covers Reading in about 30 minutes, Listening in about 29 minutes, Writing in about 23 minutes, and Speaking in about 8 minutes, all in an adaptive style.
The redesigned TOEFL iBT takes about 90 minutes from start to finish, effective 21 January 2026, a noticeable drop from the older, longer format it replaced. The test is also now adaptive rather than fixed.
Approximate Section Timings (From 21 Jan 2026)
| Section | Approximate Time | Approximate Items |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 30 minutes | 50 items |
| Listening | 29 minutes | 47 items |
| Writing | 23 minutes | 12 items |
| Speaking | 8 minutes | 11 items |
Why the Test Feels Different Now
Because Reading and Listening are adaptive, the questions you see adjust based on how you are performing, which is a shift from the older, fixed format. This also helps explain why the overall test time dropped so much compared to the previous, longer version.
My Advice
Practise with materials built for the current adaptive format rather than older TOEFL prep books, since timing strategy and pacing differ meaningfully under the new 90 minute structure.
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