TOEFL iBT question guides
The 2026 TOEFL iBT has four sections and twelve question types. Each guide explains the format, a strategy that works, the traps to avoid — and links to free practice.
The test at a glance
| Section | Question types | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Complete the Words · Read in Daily Life · Read an Academic Passage | 29 min |
| Listening | Listen and Choose a Response · Listen to a Conversation · Listen to an Announcement · Listen to an Academic Talk | 29 min |
| Writing | Build a Sentence · Write an Email · Write for an Academic Discussion | 23 min |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat · Take an Interview | 8 min |
Scores are reported on a 1–6 band scale for each section. Reading and Listening are delivered in two modules; Module 2 adapts to your Module 1 performance.
Reading
Complete the Words
Complete the Words is the first Reading task in the 2026 TOEFL iBT. Learn the format, the letter-count rule, a four-step…
Read in Daily Life
Read in Daily Life gives short real-world texts — emails, notices, menus, schedules. Learn what the questions ask, a fas…
Read an Academic Passage
The Academic Passage task tests main idea, detail, vocabulary, inference, rhetorical purpose and sentence insertion. Lea…
Listening
Listen and Choose a Response
In Listen and Choose a Response you hear one sentence and pick the most natural reply. Learn what makes a reply correct …
Listen to a Conversation
Conversations test detail, purpose, inference and next action. Learn a note-taking method for two-speaker dialogues and …
Listen to an Announcement
Announcements test key details, changes and instructions. Learn what to note and practise free.…
Listen to an Academic Talk
Academic talks test main idea, details, examples and the speaker's purpose. Learn a simple note-taking layout and practi…
Writing
Build a Sentence
Build a Sentence asks you to order words into a correct, appropriate reply. Learn the grammar patterns that keep coming …
Write an Email
The TOEFL email task gives a situation and three things to include. Use this structure, checklist and sample to write a …
Write for an Academic Discussion
In the Academic Discussion task you respond to a professor and two classmates. Learn a 4-part structure, useful phrases …