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Exam preparation

TOEFL iBT preparation

For study at English-speaking universities.

The TOEFL iBT changed on 21 January 2026, so make sure your practice follows the new format. Here is how the updated test works, how its scores line up with English levels, and how to prepare step by step with myedu.lk.

Check your level Start free
Format updated
21 January 2026
Adaptive sections
Reading and Listening
Scores
1 to 6, in half-point steps
Also shown
A comparable 0–120 score, for now

myedu.lk is not affiliated with IELTS (British Council, IDP, Cambridge University Press & Assessment), Pearson (PTE) or ETS (TOEFL). Practice scores are estimates, not official results.

The test at a glance

The TOEFL iBT changed on 21 January 2026. The updated test is shorter, Reading and Listening are adaptive, and there are new everyday and academic tasks, alongside Writing and Speaking tasks. Practice material written before 2026 may follow the old format.

TOEFL iBT: sections, what they test
Section What it tests
Reading Adaptive: how you answer affects the questions that come next. Everyday texts, such as notices and messages, as well as academic passages.
Listening Adaptive, like Reading. Everyday conversations and announcements as well as academic talks.
Writing Writing tasks such as writing an email and adding your view to an academic discussion.
Speaking Speaking tasks such as repeating sentences you hear and answering interview questions.
  • The updated test is shorter than the format used before 21 January 2026.
  • Scores are reported on a 1–6 scale in half-point steps, aligned with the CEFR. During a transition period, a comparable score on the 0–120 scale is shown as well.

Formats change — always check the official test website before you book.

Official website: ets.org/toefl (opens in a new tab) · Information checked September 2026

Which score do you need?

Universities decide which TOEFL score they accept, and some set a minimum for each section. During the transition, some may still quote scores out of 120. Find out your target first, then use this table to see the English level and the myedu.lk course that match it.

TOEFL score (1–6 scale), approximate CEFR level and the matching myedu.lk course
TOEFL score (1–6 scale) CEFR level (approx.) Matching course
3 B1 B1 Intermediate English
4 B2 B2 Upper-intermediate English
5 C1 C1 Advanced English
6 C2 C2 Proficient English

Approximate, from the test providers’ published alignments with the CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Universities and visa offices set their own requirements.

Below B1 at the moment? Start with our A1 or A2 course first — see all courses.

Your learning path

Five steps from where you are now to test day. Take them in order, and repeat steps 4 and 5 until your practice scores reach your target.

  1. Step 1: Check your level

    Available

    Find out which CEFR level you are at now. It shows how far you are from your target and which course to start with.

    Take the free placement check

  2. Step 2: Build your English

    Available

    Work through the myedu.lk course for your target level. The courses build the grammar, vocabulary, reading, writing, listening and speaking that your TOEFL score depends on.

    • TOEFL 3 · B1

      Level: Intermediate General English

      B1 Intermediate English

      Book 3 of 6 · English Self-Learning Series · 12 weeks

      • 77 lessons
      • About 72 hours

      Price: Free

      Free preview lessons

    • TOEFL 4 · B2

      Level: Upper-intermediate General English

      B2 Upper-intermediate English

      Book 4 of 6 · English Self-Learning Series · 12 weeks

      • 73 lessons
      • About 72 hours

      Price: Free

      Free preview lessons

    • TOEFL 5 · C1

      Level: Advanced General English

      C1 Advanced English

      Book 5 of 6 · English Self-Learning Series · 16 weeks

      • 81 lessons
      • About 96 hours

      Price: Free

      Free preview lessons

    • TOEFL 6 · C2

      Level: Proficient General English

      C2 Proficient English

      Book 6 of 6 · English Self-Learning Series · 16 weeks

      • 81 lessons
      • About 96 hours

      Price: Free

      Free preview lessons

  3. Step 3: Learn the question types and strategies

    Coming soon

    Short exam-skills lessons on the updated TOEFL iBT task types, with timing tips and model answers.

    Until they open, practise with the free preparation materials on the official TOEFL website (opens in a new tab).

  4. Step 4: Take full mock exams

    Coming later

    Sit complete TOEFL iBT practice tests under timed conditions, then get your results with teacher feedback on your writing. Our practice tests will be fixed-form: everyone answers the same questions, while the real test adapts to your answers. Their scores will be estimates, not official TOEFL results.

  5. Step 5: Review your weak areas and retest

    Coming later

    Practise the question types and tasks that cost you marks, then take a fresh paper — one you have not seen before — to check your progress.

Study plans

Pick the plan that fits the time before your test. Every plan starts with a level check in the first week, builds in regular timed practice, and has a full mock test at the midpoint and again in the last weeks, with review weeks to fix what the mocks show.

For the full mocks, use a myedu.lk mock exam when they open for this test, or an official practice test.

Plans assume you already have the level below your target; if the placement check puts you lower, start with the course for your level first.

Intensive · 6 weeks

About 15 hours a week

Suits you if: your test date is close and you can study on most days.

Daily time
About two and a half hours a day, six days a week.
In total
About 90 hours over 6 weeks.
How to split it
About a third of your time on the course for your target level, the rest on test practice.
Show the week-by-week plan (Intensive, 6 weeks)
TOEFL iBT, Intensive plan: what to do week by week
Weeks Focus and what to do
Week 1 Level check and the new format Take the placement check and try one timed set from each section to see where you are. Learn how the updated test works, including the adaptive Reading and Listening sections, then start the course for your target level.
Week 2 Reading and Listening: the new adaptive tasks Practise everyday and academic reading and listening tasks every day. Answer carefully from the first question: in an adaptive section, your answers shape what comes next.
Week 3 Writing and Speaking tasks Full mock test Write emails and academic discussion posts within the time, and record your answers to interview questions. At the end of the week, take a full mock under timed conditions.
Week 4 Review week Go through the mock section by section. Redo the task types you found hardest and rewrite one piece of writing.
Week 5 Timed practice Full mock test A timed section every day, rotating the four skills. At the end of the week, take a second full mock on a fresh paper and compare the results with the first.
Week 6 Final review and test-day routine Fix the mistakes from the second mock, keep practice short and timed, and check your test-day plan. Rest the day before the test.

Standard · 12 weeks

About 8 hours a week

Suits you if: you have about three months and can study most days alongside work or classes.

Daily time
About an hour and a half a day, five or six days a week.
In total
About 100 hours over 12 weeks.
How to split it
About half your time on the course for your target level and half on test practice, with more test practice from week 8.
Show the week-by-week plan (Standard, 12 weeks)
TOEFL iBT, Standard plan: what to do week by week
Weeks Focus and what to do
Week 1 Level check and the new format Take the placement check and try one timed set from each section. Learn how the updated test works and start the course for your target level.
Weeks 2–3 Reading: the new adaptive tasks Everyday texts, such as notices and messages, and academic passages. Build speed and accuracy, and finish each week with a timed set.
Weeks 4–5 Listening: the new adaptive tasks Everyday conversations and announcements, and academic talks. Take short notes, check which details you missed, and finish each week with a timed set.
Week 6 Writing and Speaking tasks Full mock test Write an email and an academic discussion post, and practise interview answers aloud. At the end of the week, take a full mock under timed conditions.
Week 7 Review week Go through the mock section by section and redo the task types you found hardest.
Weeks 8–9 Academic discussion writing and interview speaking In discussion posts, give your opinion with reasons and respond to other students’ ideas. In interview answers, answer the question directly and add an example. Keep up your course lessons.
Week 10 Second full mock Full mock test Take a full mock on a fresh paper early in the week, compare it with the first and start on the mistakes it shows.
Week 11 Review week Targeted practice on your weakest section, with timed mixed sets.
Week 12 Final review and test-day routine Short timed sets only, a last look at your list of common mistakes and a check of your test-day plan. Rest the day before the test.

Steady · 24 weeks

About 4 hours a week

Suits you if: your test is six months or more away, or you want to build your English at a gentle pace.

Daily time
About 40 minutes a day, six days a week.
In total
About 100 hours over 24 weeks.
How to split it
Mostly course lessons at first, with more test practice from week 13.
Show the week-by-week plan (Steady, 24 weeks)
TOEFL iBT, Steady plan: what to do week by week
Weeks Focus and what to do
Weeks 1–2 Level check and the new format Take the placement check and try one timed set from each section. Learn how the updated test works and start the course for your target level.
Weeks 3–6 Reading and Listening: the new adaptive tasks Alternate weeks of reading and listening practice with everyday and academic material, alongside your course lessons. Finish each week with a timed set.
Weeks 7–10 Writing: emails and academic discussion One piece of writing a week within the time — an email one week, an academic discussion post the next. Keep a list of the mistakes you make most often.
Weeks 11–12 Speaking: repeating sentences and the interview Full mock test Practise repeating sentences accurately and answering interview questions aloud. At the end of week 12, take a full mock under timed conditions.
Weeks 13–14 Review weeks Go through the mock section by section and redo the task types you found hardest.
Weeks 15–18 Timed practice One timed section every week, rotating the four skills, with extra practice on your weakest skill.
Weeks 19–20 Second full mock and review Full mock test Take a full mock on a fresh paper in week 19, and use week 20 to work on the mistakes it shows.
Weeks 21–22 Your weakest areas Targeted practice on the task types that cost you the most marks.
Week 23 Final full mock Full mock test A last full mock on a fresh paper, under test conditions.
Week 24 Final review and test-day routine Review your list of common mistakes, keep practice light and check your test-day plan.

Frequently asked questions

Is myedu.lk connected with ETS or TOEFL?

No. myedu.lk is an independent English learning website and is not affiliated with ETS, which owns and runs TOEFL. We help you prepare; to take the real test, book it on the official website, ets.org/toefl.

What changed in the TOEFL iBT in January 2026?

From 21 January 2026 the test is shorter, Reading and Listening are adaptive, and there are new everyday and academic tasks. Scores are reported on a 1–6 scale in half-point steps, aligned with the CEFR, and a comparable 0–120 score is shown during a transition period. Check ets.org/toefl for the latest details.

My university asks for a score out of 120. What should I aim for?

During the transition, a comparable 0–120 score is shown alongside the new 1–6 score. If you are not sure which scale your university will use, or what the equivalent of its requirement is, ask its admissions office before you book.

Will myedu.lk TOEFL practice tests be adaptive?

No. Our TOEFL practice tests, planned for a later release, will be fixed-form: everyone answers the same questions, while the real test adapts to your answers. We will label them clearly as fixed-form practice, and their scores as estimates, not official results.

How long will it take to reach my target score?

It depends on your starting level, how much you study and which skill is holding you back, so no one can honestly promise a date. As a rough guide, English courses often plan around 200 hours of study to move up one CEFR level (for example, from B1 to B2). A few points can still take several weeks of regular practice, especially in writing and speaking. Timed practice with feedback shows whether you are moving in the right direction.

Do I need to finish a whole course before I take TOEFL?

Not necessarily. The courses build the English behind your score, and the study plans on this page mix course lessons with test practice. If your level is below the level of your target, start with the course for your level first.

Start preparing for TOEFL iBT

Create a free account, check your level and begin with the course that matches your target score.

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