New TOEFL iBT Listening section uses a concise, adaptive design that reflects real campus and academic audio. The section delivers short audio pieces in four task families: Listen & Choose a Response (select the best reply to a brief cue), Listen to a Conversation (studentstaff or peer dialogue), Listen to an Announcement (practical campus notice), and Listen to an Academic Talk (a focused mini-lecture). Because delivery is multistage, the exact pathway, item count, and timing can vary slightly; most test takers will see approximately 3545 items in about 1827 minutes. Scores are reported on a clear 16 band scale in 0.5 steps, and the Listening band contributes to the overall TOEFL iBT score display.
New TOEFL iBT - Listenin Section
This block summarizes the post-2026 Listening section only: task types, item counts, timing, contexts, and the score display. No preparation guidance is included.
Adaptive Delivery
Multistage design adjusts to performance for efficient measurement.
Estimated Timing
About 18-27 minutes depending on pathway.
Item Count
35-45 items* including possible pretest items.
Audio Types
Short cues, campus dialogues & announcements, brief academic talks.
Task Types in Listening (from Jan 21, 2026)
| Task | What You Hear | What You Do (Focus) | Context |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listen & Choose a Response | Very short utterance or cue. | Select the most suitable reply; pragmatic understanding. | Everyday & campus micro-situations. |
| Listen to a Conversation | Brief student-staff or peer dialogue. | Identify purpose, details, and next steps. | Campus services, scheduling, procedures. |
| Listen to an Announcement | Short information message (times, places, changes). | Grasp key info quickly; detail retrieval. | Campus notices & logistics. |
| Listen to an Academic Talk | Concise lecture or mini-explanation. | Main idea, support, contrast, and examples. | Intro topics in arts, social & natural sciences. |
* As the section adapts to performance, item counts and timing may vary slightly.
Score Display (Listening)
Listening is reported on a 1-6 band scale in 0.5 increments. The section band contributes to the overall band shown on the test report.
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#TOEFL#TOEFLiBT#TOEFL2026#Listening#NewTOEFL#AdaptiveTesting#ChooseAResponse#Conversation#Announcement#AcademicTalk#ListeningSection#ExamUpdate#ScoreBands#1to6Scale#CampusEnglish#AcademicEnglish#TestChanges#myTOEFLioFound this helpful?
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