TOEFL iBT — Test of English as a Foreign Language

TOEFL iBT

Redesigned for 2026 — Shorter, Smarter, More Relevant

The TOEFL iBT underwent one of its biggest transformations in decades on January 21, 2026. The exam is now approximately 90 minutes long, fully adaptive in Reading and Listening, and uses a new 1–6 band score system aligned with CEFR international standards.

Accepted by over 11,000 universities and institutions across 150+ countries — including the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Europe — TOEFL iBT remains one of the most trusted English proficiency tests for Nepali students pursuing global education opportunities.

~90 min

New TOEFL duration from 2026

1–6

New CEFR-aligned band score scale

72 hrs

Faster score delivery timeline

11,000+

Institutions accepting TOEFL globally

2 years

Official TOEFL score validity

Why Should You Take the TOEFL?

It’s often a mandatory requirement for admission to top universities in countries like the USA, Canada, Australia, the UK, and many more.
Immigration authorities use TOEFL scores to assess your English skills for study and work visa applications.
It measures your real-world English abilities across reading, listening, speaking, and writing — the skills you need to thrive in an academic environment.
A strong TOEFL score can give you a competitive edge in admissions and scholarship opportunities.

📍 TOEFL Test Centres

Where to take TOEFL iBT in Nepal

TOEFL iBT is available through authorised ETS test centres across Nepal and through the TOEFL Home Edition for students who prefer taking the test from home.

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Kathmandu

Multiple authorised TOEFL centres available across Kathmandu Valley.

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Pokhara

Authorised test centre available for western Nepal students.

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Biratnagar

Convenient TOEFL testing option for students in eastern Nepal.

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Chitwan

Bharatpur-based centre available for central Nepal candidates.

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TOEFL Home Edition

Take TOEFL from home with AI-assisted remote proctoring and upgraded 2026 security checks.

🚀 TOEFL 2026 Updates

What changed on January 21, 2026?

ETS introduced the most significant TOEFL transformation since the test’s launch — making the exam shorter, faster, and more aligned with real-world communication.

📌 Dual scoring during the 2026–2028 transition period

TOEFL score reports now display both the new 1–6 CEFR-aligned band score and the traditional 0–120 score side by side. Universities worldwide will continue accepting both systems during the transition period until 2028.

What Changed	Old Format (Before 2026)	New Format (From Jan 21, 2026)
Total Duration	~2 hours	~90 minutes
Scoring Scale	0–120 total score	1–6 band score + dual reporting until 2028
Score Delivery	4–8 days	Within 72 hours
Reading Format	2 long passages with fixed questions	Adaptive format with shorter passages and dynamic difficulty
Listening Format	Fixed lectures and conversations	Adaptive listening with new real-world task types
Writing Tasks	Integrated + Academic Discussion	New functional writing tasks like emails and sentence-building
Speaking Tasks	4 traditional speaking tasks	Real-time verbal communication and interview-style tasks
Section Order	Reading → Listening → Speaking → Writing	Reading → Listening → Writing → Speaking
Content Style	Heavy academic and niche topics	Modern campus situations and globally neutral contexts

📘 TOEFL 2026 Format

2026 TOEFL iBT section structure

ETS redesigned TOEFL iBT to be shorter, more adaptive, and more aligned with real-world academic communication and university life.

Section	Estimated Duration	What You'll Be Tested On
Reading	~20–25 min (adaptive)	Academic passages and real-world texts with adaptive difficulty based on performance.
Listening	~20–25 min (adaptive)	Campus conversations, lectures, announcements, and new 2026 interactive listening tasks.
Writing	~20–25 min	Functional writing tasks including emails, sentence construction, and grammar accuracy.
Speaking	~15–20 min	Real-time communication tasks such as interviews, listening-and-repeat, and spontaneous responses.

📊 TOEFL 2026 Scoring

New 2026 scoring scale — 1–6 bands

TOEFL’s new 1–6 scoring system aligns more closely with CEFR and IELTS, making cross-test comparisons easier for universities and international applicants.

New Band (1–6)	Old Score (0–120)	CEFR Level	Proficiency	Typical University Requirement
5.5–6.0	110–120	C2	Expert / Very Good	Elite programmes and highly competitive universities
5.0–5.5	94–109	C1	Good User	Most competitive undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
4.5–5.0	79–93	B2–C1	Competent User	Most standard university admission requirements
4.0–4.5	60–78	B2	Modest User	Foundation courses and pathway programmes
Below 4.0	Below 60	Below B2	Limited User	Additional English preparation recommended

💡 Quick comparison: TOEFL band 5.0 is roughly comparable to IELTS 7.0–7.5 (C1), while TOEFL band 4.5 aligns approximately with IELTS 6.5 (B2). Universities increasingly use CEFR levels to compare English proficiency across tests.

🎯 Why Choose Alora

TOEFL preparation at Alora Education Foundation

Our TOEFL coaching is fully updated for the January 2026 TOEFL iBT redesign — using only the latest ETS-aligned materials and adaptive preparation strategies.

📘 2026-format preparation

Updated classes using official ETS materials released after January 2026.

🧠 Adaptive test training

Practice the new adaptive Reading and Listening format with realistic simulations.

🎤 New Speaking & Writing coaching

Master interview-style speaking and practical functional writing tasks.

🎯 Personalised score planning

Match your target universities with both the 1–6 and 0–120 scoring systems.

🌍 University application guidance

Expert support for applications to the USA, Canada, UK, Australia, and Europe.

📝 TOEFL registration support

Step-by-step assistance booking your TOEFL exam through ETS Nepal.

Prepare smarter with Alora Education Foundation — modern TOEFL preparation designed for the adaptive 2026 exam and your global study goals.