TOEFL Exam 2026: Dates, Eligibility, & Cutoff
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) continues to be a pivotal exam for millions of students worldwide aspiring to study abroad. Conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) evaluates English proficiency across reading, listening, speaking, and writing—critical skills for academic success in English-medium institutions. Indian students, who represent one of the largest groups of test-takers, can leverage TOEFL scores to gain admission to leading universities in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and other countries.
In 2026, TOEFL builds on its July 2023 updates, offering a more streamlined experience: a shorter test duration (under 2 hours), fewer questions, and integration with the myTOEFL app for convenient home edition testing. This article explores essential details, including key highlights, exam dates, eligibility criteria (with a focus on India), application process, exam pattern, preparation strategies, syllabus, admit card, and cutoffs. With over 11,000 institutions recognizing TOEFL scores, 2026 aspirants need a strategic preparation plan to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape.
Table of Contents
TOEFL 2026 Highlights
The table below outlines the key updates for the TOEFL iBT 2026, as per ETS:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Test Duration | 1 hour 56 minutes (under 2 hours) |
| Sections | 4 (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) |
| Total Questions | Approximately 60 (reduced from previous versions) |
| Scoring | 0–120 (0–30 per section); valid for 2 years |
| Modes | At test center or Home Edition (online proctored) |
| Frequency | Up to once every 3 days; maximum 4 attempts in 12 months |
| Cost (India) | ₹16,900 (~USD 205; subject to change) |
| Results Timeline | Unofficial scores in 4–8 days; official in 6–10 days |
| New Features | Shorter reading/listening passages, 10-min speaking tasks, myTOEFL app for practice and bookings |
| Accepting Countries | 160 countries; 13,000 institutions |
TOEFL Exam Dates 2026 in India
ETS administers the TOEFL iBT throughout the year at test centers across major Indian cities, including Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune, and Ahmedabad. Test dates are released on a rolling basis and can be checked on the official ETS website (ets.org/toefl). As of late 2025, 2026 exam slots are gradually opening starting from January.
Key 2026 TOEFL Dates:
January–March: High-demand period; early booking recommended for weekend slots (e.g., Jan 11, 18, 25; Feb 1, 8, 15, 22; Mar 1, 8, 15).
April–June: Summer sessions available (e.g., Apr 12, 19, 26; May 3, 10, 17, 24, 31; Jun 7, 14, 21).
July–September: Monsoon season may affect travel; the Home Edition is popular during this period (e.g., Jul 5, 12, 19; Aug 2, 9, 16; Sep 6, 13, 20).
October–December: Fall intake rush; plan ahead for slots (e.g., Oct 4, 11, 18; Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, 29; Dec 6, 13).
The TOEFL Home Edition mirrors official test center dates but requires a quiet environment and stable internet (minimum 25 Mbps). Availability can vary, so students should regularly check ets.org for updates. Indian applicants are advised to schedule their test 2–3 months before university deadlines, especially for Fall 2026 admissions (March–May).
Eligibility Criteria in India
TOEFL has very simple and inclusive eligibility requirements for Indian test takers:
Age: No minimum age requirement; most international applicants are 16 .
Education: No specific academic qualification is required—high-school students can also appear.
Nationality: Open to candidates of all nationalities, including Indians.
Number of Attempts: Unlimited overall attempts, but only 4 attempts within any 12-month period, with a minimum 3-day gap between tests.
India-Specific Requirement: A valid passport is mandatory (Aadhaar is not accepted).
Home Edition: Requires a functioning webcam, microphone, and government-issued ID.
Upper Age Limit: There is no maximum age, making it ideal for working professionals and mature law/engineering students applying for MS/LLM abroad.
Special Accommodations: Candidates with physical disabilities can receive support such as extra time, subject to ETS approval.
How to Apply for TOEFL 2026 Exam
Create an Account: Go to ets.org/toefl and register using your email ID.
Select Your Test: Choose the TOEFL iBT format, pick your test date, center or Home Edition, and select your 4 free score recipients (additional reports cost ₹2,090 each).
Upload ID & Pay: Upload your passport and complete the payment via credit/debit card or net banking (₹16,900).
Get Confirmation: Check your email for the confirmation message and registration number.
Reschedule/Cancel: Free changes up to 4 days before the exam; after that, a ₹5,600 fee applies.
India-Specific Tips: Book your slot 2–3 months in advance and contact ETS India support at 1800-267-7555 for assistance. Late registration is allowed up to 7 days before the test with a ₹5,600 surcharge.
TOEFL 2026 Exam Pattern
TOEFL iBT 2026 follows a section-wise, adaptive, computer-based format with the following structure:
Reading (20 minutes): 20 questions based on 2 academic passages.
Listening (28 minutes): 28 questions covering 3 lectures and 2 conversations.
Speaking (16 minutes): 4 tasks, including 1 independent task and 3 integrated tasks.
Writing (29 minutes): 2 tasks — an integrated reading-listening-writing task and a writing sample.
An optional 10-minute break is available after the Reading section. The Home Edition offers the same pattern with AI-based proctoring.
TOEFL 2026 Syllabus Breakdown
TOEFL evaluates your ability to use and understand academic English across four sections:
Reading
Tests vocabulary, inference skills, rhetorical purpose, text insertion, and summarization.
Includes passages (250–300 words) from science, history, and social sciences.
Listening
Features 3–5 minute lectures and campus/office conversations.
Focuses on note-taking, main ideas, key details, speaker purpose, and attitude.
Speaking
Task 1: Independent — present your personal view (15 sec prep, 45 sec response).
Tasks 2–4: Integrated — read, listen, and speak on campus/academic topics (20–30 sec prep).
Writing
Task 1: Integrated — read ~230 words, listen for 2 minutes, and write a 20-minute summary.
Task 2: Independent — write an opinion essay based on a prompt (10 minutes).
Recommended Practice
Use the myTOEFL app for targeted, section-wise practice drills.
How to Prepare for TOEFL 2026
Preparation Duration: Plan 1–3 months of focused study (40–60 hours/week).
Assess Your Baseline: Take the free ETS practice test; aim for 80 if you’re targeting top universities.
Recommended Resources:
Official: ETS Guide, Quick Prep (free PDFs).
Apps: myTOEFL, Magoosh, Barron’s.
Books: Cambridge TOEFL, Official iBT Tests Vol. 1–2.
India Platforms: Manya, Jamboree, TIME coaching (₹15,000–30,000).
Daily/Weekly Study Plan:
Weeks 1–4: Build basics; learn 50 vocabulary words/day using Quizlet.
Weeks 5–8: Practice each section for 2 hours/day.
Week 9 : Take full-length mock tests weekly.
Section-Wise Strategies:
Reading: Skim passages to understand structure first.
Listening: Use shadowing to improve clarity and retention.
Speaking: Record your responses and self-evaluate with ETS rubrics.
Writing: Use a clear thesis and add two strong examples.
India-Specific Tips:
Join Telegram study groups and follow YouTube channels like TOEFL Resources India.
Take official-style mock tests at Prometric centers.
Progress Tracking:
Monitor improvements using the ETS score tracker and aim for 100 for Ivy League admissions.
Admit Card & Exam Day Guidelines
You won’t receive a physical admit card—your confirmation email is enough. You can download the PDF from your ETS account 24 hours before the test, which will display your ID photo if uploaded.
On Exam Day:
Arrive 30 minutes early for test-centre exams; ensure a quiet, prepared room for the Home Edition.
Carry only your passport as ID.
Notes and food are not allowed; lockers are available at the centre.
For the Home Edition, complete the mandatory ProctorU system check.
TOEFL Cutoff Scores & Score Reporting
TOEFL scores range from 0–30 per section, with a total of 0–120. There is no pass/fail—each institution sets its own requirements.
Expected 2026 Cutoffs:
US Top 20 (Harvard, Stanford): 105–110
UK (Oxford, LSE): 100–107
Canada (Toronto, UBC): 90–100
Australia (Melbourne): 95–105
India LLM/MS Average: 90–100
Tier-wise Cutoffs:
| University Tier | Total Score | Section Minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Ivy League | 105 | 25 each |
| Top 50 Global | 100 | 24 |
| Mid-Tier | 90 | 22 |
| Safe Schools | 80 | 20 |
TOEFL FAQs
Whether TOEFL is tougher than IELTS depends on a student’s strengths, but overall both exams are considered similar in difficulty, with key differences in format. TOEFL is fully internet-based and leans more on academic English, integrated tasks, and longer listening passages, which some students may find challenging. IELTS, on the other hand, offers shorter sections, more familiar question types, and a one-on-one speaking test, which many find easier and more natural. Students comfortable with typing, academic passages, and integrated tasks often prefer TOEFL, while those confident in face-to-face speaking and varied question formats tend to find IELTS easier. Ultimately, the exam is not intrinsically tougher—the easier test is the one that matches your skills and test-taking style.
As of 2025, the TOEFL exam fee in India for the standard TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) — the version required by most universities — is approximately ₹18,000, inclusive of 18% GST, for both test-centre and Home Edition bookings, though students should always verify the exact amount during registration on the official ETS portal since fees can change with policy updates or exchange rates. The base fee typically covers the cost of taking the exam plus sending scores to up to four institutions, and additional charges may apply for late registration (~₹3,900), rescheduling (~₹5,900), extra score reports (~₹1,950 each), or section score reviews (~₹7,900). Previously the base price was ₹16,900, but ETS revised it effective October 1, 2025 to ₹18,000 to align with local market conditions, making the TOEFL fee in India roughly similar to other English proficiency tests like IELTS.
A good TOEFL score generally falls between 90 and 105, as this range is widely accepted by top universities and visa authorities worldwide. While the TOEFL iBT is scored out of 120, most competitive programs—especially in the USA, Canada, UK, and Europe—expect a minimum of 80–90 for undergraduate admissions and 90–100+ for postgraduate courses. Highly selective universities or specialized programs (like business, law, or STEM masters) may require 100–110, particularly emphasizing strong section scores in Speaking and Writing. Ultimately, a “good” TOEFL score is one that meets or exceeds your target institution’s requirements, boosts your application strength, and demonstrates strong English proficiency for academic success.
Yes, TOEFL taken online (such as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition) is widely accepted, but acceptance can vary by institution, so always confirm with each university or program. The TOEFL iBT® (Internet-based Test) is the same standardized English-language proficiency exam whether you take it at a test center or online from home, and scores from the online version are accepted by nearly all the 12,000+ universities and institutions in 160+ countries that recognize TOEFL scores, including major study destinations like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, some specific programs or visa streams (e.g., Canada’s SDS) may require the test taken at a physical test center, so always check official admissions requirements before booking your test.
You can take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam as many times as you want — there is no cap on the number of attempts you can make to achieve your target score, but ETS requires a minimum gap of 3 days (72 hours) between test dates, meaning you cannot sit for more than one TOEFL within any 3-day period even if you cancel your previous scores or retake soon after. This flexible policy allows repeated attempts throughout the year to improve your performance, though you must pay the full registration fee for each new attempt and plan around university application deadlines accordingly.