The American Academy of Education Testing (TSET) updates exam models, content and scoring to increase fairness, personalization and applicablebility in the learning environment.
1. Adaptive Testing model - applied globally from January 2026
- The exam will adjust the question set according to the actual abilities of the candidate during the test. Applicable to the Reading and Listening competitions.
- This model helps assess more closely the use of English in the learning environment, through task simulations such as group discussions, presentations and handling of academic information.
- The contest content is renewed with modern, international topics and is more accessible to learners from all cultural backgrounds.
- Officially applied from January 2026.
2. New step according to international standards (CEFR) - applied globally from January 2026
- The new scale of 1 - 6 will be applied from January 21, 2026.
- This scale corresponds to 6 levels of the Common European Language Reference frameworks (CEFR), making it easy for schools and candidates to compare their results with their previous study path and popular assessment standards such as CEFR.
- In order to ensure a smooth transition, within 2 years from January 21, 2026, the TOEFL iBT score report will simultaneously display both a scale of 1 - 6 and a scale of 0 - 120. After this time, the report will only use a scale of 1 - 6.
3. New update on TOEFL iBT Home Edition - globally applicable from May 30, 2025
- The verification and test-taking process on the exam day is streamlined, reducing complicated procedures.
- AI identity verification helps shorten the check-in process.
- Internal assessors trained by ETS, ensuring support throughout the exam.
4. Improvements in the exam experience
- New review materials, including free materials, are expected to launch from July 2025.
- Headphones at all test sites will be upgraded, providing clear sound and better listening experience.
- Shorten the score return time: candidates will receive the results within 72 hours or sooner.
- The exam registration process is simplified, helping candidates easily find exam schedules and register for exams.
TOEFL iBT is a test designed and developed by the American College of Educational Testing (TS). This exam is for those who use English as a foreign language to comprehensively assess English proficiency in 4 skills: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing in an academic environment. In Vietnam, the test is authorized for implementation by IIG Vietnam - National Representative of ETS.
