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TOEFL Strategy & Tips: All You Need to Know for the TOEFL Test

Test prepUpdated 2 min read

About the test format

These video lessons were recorded for the TOEFL iBT used before 2026. The general study advice still applies, but any description of test structure, timing, or Speaking and Writing tasks in the videos is out of date; the summary at the top of this page reflects the current test.

This page gives you a quick summary of the current TOEFL iBT, then six short video lessons on preparation, Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, each with a note on what still applies and a link to our written guide on the same skill.

The TOEFL iBT at a glance (2026)

The redesigned TOEFL iBT launched on January 21, 2026. ETS lists these approximate section lengths; Reading and Listening are adaptive, so actual time and item counts can vary.

SectionApprox. timeItemsTask types
Reading30 min50Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage
Listening29 min47Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement, Listen to an Academic Talk
Writing23 min12Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion
Speaking8 min11Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview
  • Total time: ETS advises allowing about two hours for the whole appointment.
  • Scoring: each section and the overall score are reported on a 1–6 scale in half-point steps. The overall score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band. Through January 2028, score reports also show a comparable score on the old 0–120 scale.
  • Score validity: two years from the test date.

Lesson 1: How to prepare for the TOEFL test

General preparation advice — setting a target score and building a regular study routine. The video describes the test structure as it was when it was recorded, so use the table above for current details. Pair it with our TOEFL study plan.

Lesson 2: Tips and strategies for TOEFL Reading

Core reading habits: building vocabulary in context, skimming for the main idea, and managing your time. The Reading task types have changed since the video was made, but these habits still transfer. See our Reading guides, including 4 tips for improving your TOEFL Reading score.

Lesson 3: 10 easy tips for TOEFL Listening

Practical listening habits — active listening, light note-taking, and recognizing signal words. The full list is in top 10 listening tips, with more in our Listening guides.

Lesson 4: 3 steps for improving your TOEFL Speaking score

General advice on structuring a spoken response clearly and speaking with confidence. The Speaking tasks described in the video no longer exist; see our Speaking guides and tips for building confidence and fluency.

Lesson 5: 3 ways to get a high score on TOEFL Writing

General advice on organizing a written response and using clear, correct English. The Writing tasks have also changed since this video was made — see our Writing guides for current strategy.

Lesson 6: Ideas and 10 sample essays for TOEFL Independent Writing

Essay ideas and structure for the old Independent Writing essay, which is no longer part of the TOEFL. The organizational habits — a clear position, supporting points, logical transitions — still carry over to Write for an Academic Discussion.

Keep going

For hands-on practice rather than video lessons, try the free, timed Reading practice set.

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