TOEFL iBT Changes 2023: Here’s What to Expect

In a recent change, ETS (Educational Testing Services), the official exam conducting body of the TOEFL test, has announced that the duration of its TOEFL iBT Test will be reduced to less than 2 hours with effect from 26 July 2023.

In addition to the change in test time, a few more TOEFL iBT changes 2023 have been introduced. Let’s have a look at them one by one:

1. Reduction in the number of Reading Passages:

The older version of the TOEFL Test had 3-4 passages and 30-40 questions in total, but in the new change, the number of Passages has been reduced to 2 and the total number of questions will be 20. 

2. No Unscored Questions:

Unscored questions are the experimental questions that are included in the test by ETS. Though they aren’t scored, one still needs to attempt them to complete the test. Since these questions were not adding to the scores and were consuming the student’s time, ETS has decided to remove them in the new test version and save time.

3. Removal of Independent Writing Question:

The TOEFL exam independent writing task is a 30-minute essay in which you are asked to express your opinion on a given topic. 

In the new change, the independent writing task will be replaced and substituted with a ‘Writing for an Academic Discussion’ task. This task has been taken from the TOEFL Essentials test, which is a 1.5-hour take-from-home TOEFL Test. 

In this new TOEFL Writing question, test-takers will encounter a simulated discussion board on a university website, which will include a question posted by a professor and responses from two students. The task for the test-takers will be to read the entire discussion and then write their response, adding to the conversation. They will be given ten minutes to read the question, and the student’s responses, and to write their responses.

Here is a sample TOEFL Writing academic discussion question:

Your professor is teaching a class on “The Impact of Social Media on Teenage Mental Health.” Write a post responding to the professor’s question. In your response, you should:

• Express and support your personal opinion.
• Contribute to the discussion in your own words.

An effective response will contain at least 100 words. You have ten minutes to write.

Professor’s Question:

“Recent studies have indicated a strong correlation between the increased use of social media and the rise in mental health issues among teenagers. What are your thoughts on the potential impact of social media on teenage mental health?”

Student 1 Response:

“I believe that social media can negatively impact teenage mental health, primarily due to the unrealistic standards and peer pressure it fosters. However, it also offers a platform for self-expression and connecting with like-minded individuals.”

Student 2 Response:

“While the concerns about mental health are valid, we cannot overlook the positive aspects of social media, such as its role in raising awareness about mental health issues and providing support to communities for teenagers.”

Here’s an Answer template for TOEFL Writing academic discussion question mentioned above 

• Introduction and Stance: “Addressing the impact of social media on teenage mental health is crucial. In my opinion, [state your general stance, agreeing or disagreeing with the professor’s premise].”
• Agreeing with Student 1: “I find merit in [Student 1]’s point that [mention their point]. Furthermore, [expand with your insight or example].”
• Contrasting with Student 2: “On the other hand, [Student 2] suggests [mention their point], but this overlooks [introduce a contrasting idea or challenge their point]. For instance, [provide an example or further explanation].”
• Personal Insight: “From my experience, [share a personal view or anecdote]. This shows that social media’s impact is [summarize your view: complex, predominantly negative, or positive].”

Now let’s have a look at the sample response for this TOEFL Writing academic discussion question:

“While I recognize the benefits of social media in connecting teenagers and raising awareness, its negative impact on mental health is more pronounced. Social media often fosters unrealistic standards and peer pressure, as Student 1 noted, leading to issues like anxiety and low self-esteem. Despite Student 2’s valid point about support communities, the risks of misinformation and cyberbullying cannot be overlooked. From personal observation, excessive use correlates with stress and disrupted emotional development in teenagers. Moreover, the addictive nature of these platforms can lead to reduced physical activity and social isolation. Therefore, responsible use and educational programs are essential to mitigate these adverse effects and promote healthier online habits.”

4. Streamlined Instructions & Navigation:

In the current version of the TOEFL Test, instructions are highly complex and difficult to understand. This is why ETS has decided to make the instructions simpler and less time-consuming in the TOEFL iBT changes 2023.

Not only this, but even the test portal is going to be improvised. Hence, your overall test-taking experience is going to be more favorable than before.

5. Simplified Registration Process:

If you register on the ETS page now, it will take you approximately 15 minutes to complete the whole process, which can be cumbersome at times. 

To eliminate this long registration time, the whole process will be fast-tracked. Test takers will be able to quickly and easily create an account and register for a TOEFL iBT test date. Other localized benefits, such as more local payment alternatives, will also be made accessible in a few markets and gradually spread.

6. Greater Score Transparency:

Currently, the test takers cannot see the test date on which they will receive their results, since they are only shown the status of the result. 

But in the new change, After finishing the test, test-takers will be shown the date on which their official score will be released, in addition to being notified in real-time what their score status is.

Here’s how each section of the TOEFL iBT will be different in the new version:

How is the new TOEFL iBT different from the IELTS test?

How is the new TOEFL iBT different from PTE?

How is the new TOEFL iBT different from Duolingo?

Planning to take the TOEFL test?

If you are someone who aspires to take the TOEFL test in the future, you might be confused about whether to opt for self-study or seek professional help. Well, self-study can be a great way to prepare for the test, but you might miss out on the opportunity to learn from experts and discover test-taking strategies that can help you ace the test.

Here’s how TOEFL online classes help you with your test prep:

• Taking TOEFL online classes can be an effective way to prepare for the TOEFL iBT and improve your English language skills. 
• Online classes offer flexibility and convenience, allowing you to study at your own pace and from any location with an internet connection. 
• Additionally, many online TOEFL courses provide access to practice tests, study materials, and personalized feedback from experienced instructors. 
• By taking advantage of these resources and committing to a structured study plan, you can increase your confidence and performance on the TOEFL iBT. 

So whether you are a student looking to study abroad, a professional seeking to advance your career, or an English language learner looking to improve your language proficiency, consider enrolling in TOEFL online coaching. 

Yuno Learning is a leading online test prep platform that offers live personalized classes from top-rated instructors. With more than 5000 successful students and 800+ 5-star ratings on Google, we have helped numerous students fulfill their study abroad dream. To help TOEFL aspirants like you get their desired score, we have launched our TOEFL online classes. In case of any query, drop us a message at [email protected]. or give us a call at +918847251466. 

TOEFL FAQs

• Where is TOEFL iBT accepted?

Accepted in over 11,000 universities and institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, universities in Canada, universities in New Zealand, universities in the UK, universities in the United States, and across Europe and Asia.

• What is the age criteria for the TOEFL test?

ETS declared that there is no particular age limit for the TOEFL exam. Thus, candidates of any age who are willing to pursue their higher education abroad can prepare and appear for this examination.

• Where is TOEFL iBT conducted in India?

In India, TOEFL iBT is conducted in 39 cities: Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, East Godavari District, Gurgaon, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Madurai, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Nagpur, Nashik, Nizamabad, Patna, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Tirupati, Trichy, Vadodara, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Warangal.

• How often does TOEFL iBT happen?

The TOEFL exam is held more than 60 times a year across various ETS TOEFL test centers. The target date for taking the TOEFL iBT exam should be at least a month before the first application deadline.

• How long does it take for the TOEFL result to come?

The time taken to get results will depend on the type of TOEFL test you take. In the case of the TOEFL test that is taken at a test center, the result is obtained within 4-8 days of taking the test. The same is the case for the TOEFL iBT Home edition. 

• Can a student book the TOEFL test anytime or is there a wait period?

Students need to register for the test 7 days before the test date. Whereas, in case of late registration, they need to do it 2 days before the test by paying an additional 40$ fee. The test can also be rescheduled by paying an additional 60$ fee 4 days before the test. 

• How long are TOEFL scores valid?

TOEFL scores remain valid for two years from the date of the exam. For example, if you took the TOEFL exam on December 15, 2023, your scores would be valid until December 15, 2025. Once this two-year period has elapsed, the scores are considered expired and cannot be extended. During the validity period, you can access your scores online and send them to schools. However, after expiration, these options are no longer available. This limited validity ensures that the information provided to schools is current and accurately reflects your English language skills.

• What is the exam fee for the TOEFL iBT test?

The registration fee for the TOEFL exam varies from country to country. The TOEFL exam fee in India is INR 16,900 (Inclusive of GST). Apart from this, candidates also need to pay extra for other services like late registration, rescheduling the exam, or score review. Candidates who have booked a test date and would want to cancel or reschedule the same would be required to do so four full days in advance before the actual test date.

• Which is best TOEFL or PTE?

The choice between TOEFL and PTE depends on individual preferences and requirements. TOEFL is recognized globally and is preferred by some institutions, while PTE is accepted by a wide range of universities and colleges worldwide. PTE is known for its quick results, usually available within 2-5 days, while TOEFL may take longer. TOEFL has a speaking section where responses are recorded and scored by human raters, while PTE uses automated scoring. Both tests assess English proficiency effectively, so the decision should consider factors like test availability, scoring preferences, and the specific requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to.

• Is TOEFL tougher than IELTS?

Determining whether the TOEFL is more challenging than the IELTS is a matter of individual strengths and preferences. While the TOEFL is often perceived as tougher due to its complex reading texts and emphasis on American English, the IELTS has its own challenges. Its writing section, which requires describing maps, charts, and various essay formats, can be demanding. Additionally, the speaking sections differ, with TOEFL involving presentations and IELTS focusing on face-to-face conversations. Ultimately, the choice between the two exams should align with a test-taker’s comfort level with the test formats and their proficiency in either British or American English. Both tests require thorough preparation to succeed in achieving the desired scores