TOEFL CHANGES JULY 2023

ETS recently announced major changes to the TOEFL for the iBT test. With a commitment to improving the test experience for participants, it has not only reduced the length of the TOEFL test, but has also made substantial changes to the content. In addition, ETS has simplified the registration process and navigation of the test platform, making it easier to use. This article will explore these new alterations to the test, its application schedule, the implications for test takers in their TOEFL preparation, among other crucial details. Please note that these modifications refer only to the TOEFL iBT, which is done by computer in a center or from the comfort of your home. The TOEFL Paper (pBT), as well as the TOEFL Essentials, remain unchanged. In addition, these changes are scheduled to take effect from July 26, 2023.

What Are The New TOEFL Changes?

#1: Reduced Exam Duration

Previously, completing the TOEFL test required approximately 3 hours. However, with the new revised format, the duration of the TOEFL test is reduced to just under 2 hours (116 minutes to be exact). This makes it the shortest compared to the IELTS exam which lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes,

#2: Elimination of Unscored Questions

In the current TOEFL iBT, test takers may encounter additional questions in the Reading or Listening sections that do not contribute to the final score. Instead, ETS uses them for research purposes. With the revised format, these experimental questions will no longer be present. Each question in the updated exam will have a direct impact on the final score, making the process more efficient for test takers. This means that participants will not waste time answering questions that will not give them points. Plus, they won’t get as tired. For example, previously the reading section could last up to 72 minutes if you received an unrated passage. On the other hand, if you received an unscored listening section, you could listen for up to 57 minutes and have 39 questions.

#3: Condensed Reading Section

A key reason for the significant reduction in the duration of the TOEFL is the shortening of the Reading section. Originally composed of 3-4 passages with 10 questions each, the Reading section has been cut. Therefore, according to the new format, test takers will only find 2 passages in the Reading section, each followed by 10 questions. Instead of the previous 54-72 minutes, the section will now only require 35 minutes, as test takers will only have to answer 20 questions, compared to the previous 30-40 questions.

#4 Implementation of a new writing for an Academic Discussion Task

Possibly, the most noticeable change that is occurring on this new enhanced TOEFL is the removal of the 30-minute independent writing portion. This section is being replaced by an Academic discussion writing section in which students will only have ten minutes to complete the passage.

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What Is the New TOEFL Writing Task?

The current Independent Writing task will be phased out and replaced by a new Academic Discussion task. Despite the change, examinees are still expected to express their views on a given topic, similar to the previous stand-alone assignment. However, the Academic Debate task introduces consultation as part of an imaginary academic debate platform.

The scenario will involve a question from a professor, followed by two diverse student responses. After thoroughly reviewing these responses and the question, the test taker is required to present their own opinion.. A quality response should:

Offer a specific opinion related to the prompt with sufficient backing.
Add substantial input to the conversation without rehashing points raised by the other students, and
Be succinct yet impactful.

The test taker will have a span of 10 minutes to answer, and there’s a requirement of at least 100 words, thus underlining the need for speedy thinking and precise writing.

Let’s take a look at a sample TOEFL Academic Discussion topic plus response:

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Changes To the Registration Process

ETS has indicated that the ‘improvements’ to the TOEFL exam will also encompass the registration process, which will:

Simplify and clarify the scheduling process,
Provide more intuitive navigation, making the user experience more streamlined and efficient,
Increase the user-friendliness of their platform,
Modify the design to function flawlessly on mobile devices, and
Include additional local payment options.

Furthermore, ETS has mentioned that once the test is finished, test takers will be able to see when their scores will be available. Any changes in their score status can be monitored using their ETS account.

What Aspects of the TOEFL iBT Will Remain the Same?

The Listening and Speaking sections will not be modified. The structure, question types, and number of questions used in the current TOEFL will continue to be used in the revised exam. Although the Reading section will include fewer passages and therefore fewer questions overall, the types of questions that accompany each passage remain the same. The Integrated Writing task also remains intact; only the Independent task will be replaced by the Academic Discussion task. The scoring scale and the process of distributing the scores remain unchanged .

When Will These Alterations Take Effect?

The TOEFL iBT will implement these changes starting July 26, 2023. Any TOEFL iBT exams scheduled on or after this date will follow the updated content structure.

What Do These Changes Imply for Test Takers?

These changes only affect those who take the TOEFL test online. The paper-based TOEFL test will continue with the existing format without any revisions. Since the only new question format is the Academic Discussion Writing assignment, test takers can continue to use the study materials they have been using for all other sections, as no other question type has changed. ETS has updated its practice tests to reflect the new changes, and questions for the new Academic Discussion Writing assignment are now available on the ETS platform. In addition, you can use our EPIC PREP materials to practice the new structure. Reducing the length of the test should make the exam experience more comfortable for test takers. This will decrease fatigue, help maintain concentration, and potentially increase the accuracy of the test. New updates to the ETS platform user interface should make it easier to register for or reschedule the TOEFL test. In addition, with the monitoring of the status of scores, planning for university application deadlines will be more manageable. In general, these changes seem to be beneficial. The updated TOEFL iBT should deliver a more streamlined, expedited, and comfortable testing experience, while maintaining the same level of academic rigor.

We hope this article has answered your questions. If you have any questions regarding your TOEFL preparation, give us a call and we will be happy to explain how EPIC PREP can help you achieve your goals. On the other hand, if you prefer to continue reading we leave you a link to our page of TOEFL courses.

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