TOEFL iBT · Listening
TOEFL iBT Listening Section (2026 Format)
The TOEFL iBT Listening section comes second in the January 2026 format. It lasts about 29 minutes, has about 47 items and is adaptive. Its four task types are Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement and Listen to an Academic Talk. Every recording plays once, and note-taking is allowed.
- Time
- About 29 minutes
- Items
- About 47 (varies with the adaptive route)
- Task types
- Choose a Response, Conversation, Announcement, Academic Talk
- Audio
- Each recording plays once; no replay or transcript
- Score
- 1–6 band scale
How TOEFL iBT Listening works
Listening starts with short single lines where you pick the best written reply. It then moves to two-speaker conversations with two questions each, short campus or class announcements, and lecture-style academic talks of about 100–250 words with four questions each.
Each recording plays once and questions appear after the audio. A picture shows the speaker and setting but never the answers. Accents can include U.S., Canadian, British, Australian and New Zealand English. The section is adaptive in two stages, and you cannot go back to earlier items.
Listening receives a 1–6 band score. The overall 1–6 score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band, and a comparable 0–120 score is also reported during the transition.
TOEFL iBT Listening tasks
Tips that work
- Train with audio that plays only once. Pausing during practice builds a habit you cannot use on test day.
- Keep notes short and organized by speaker or by point; write numbers with what they refer to.
- Focus on purpose and intent as well as facts. Many questions ask why something was said.
- Listen to a range of English accents in short daily sessions.
Questions candidates ask
Can I replay audio in TOEFL Listening?
No. Every recording is heard once, and there is no transcript during the test.
Can I take notes?
Yes. Note-taking is allowed throughout Listening.
How long are the lectures now?
The academic talks in the 2026 format are about 100–250 words, much shorter than the older lectures.
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