How to Prepare for the New TOEFL iBT in Nigeria: The 2026 Format and a 6 Week Plan
The TOEFL iBT changed on 21 January 2026. It is shorter, Reading and Listening adapt to your level, there are new task types, and scores now run from 1 to 6. Most older prep books describe a test that no longer exists, so prepare with 2026 material.
Every week a candidate shows me a TOEFL book bought last year and asks which chapters to start with. My answer surprises them: put most of it aside. The TOEFL iBT that runs today is a different test from the one most books were written for, and the fastest way to waste six weeks is to practise tasks you will never see.
In this guide
What changed in January 2026
Since 21 January 2026, the TOEFL iBT is shorter, Reading and Listening adapt to your level, several new task types replaced the old long tasks, and each section is scored on a 1 to 6 band. A comparable score out of 120 is also reported until January 2028.
The big practical change is the length of each task. The old test was built around long reading passages, long lectures and long essays. The new one uses many more short tasks, so speed, focus and accuracy on everyday English matter more than stamina.
The new TOEFL iBT format
| Section | Task types | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage | about 30 minutes |
| Listening | Listen and Choose a Response, conversations, announcements, academic talks | about 29 minutes |
| Writing | Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion | about 23 minutes |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview | about 8 minutes |
Timings are approximate because the test adapts. Allow about two hours for the whole appointment.
The 1 to 6 score scale
Each of the four sections gets a band from 1 to 6, and your overall score is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band. Until January 2028 your score report also shows a comparable score out of 120, which helps while universities update their requirements. When a school lists a requirement, check whether it is on the new scale or the old one.
A 6 week TOEFL plan
| Week | Focus |
|---|---|
| 1 | A full practice test in the new format. Learn every task type. |
| 2 | Reading: Complete the Words and Read in Daily Life, under time. |
| 3 | Listening: short responses and announcements, then academic talks. |
| 4 | Writing: Build a Sentence drills, then timed emails and academic discussion posts. |
| 5 | Speaking: Listen and Repeat accuracy, then recorded interview answers. |
| 6 | A full mock under real conditions, review, then light practice before the test. |
Section by section
Reading. Complete the Words tests whether you can fill in missing letters in a short passage. It rewards strong spelling and grammar, so read carefully and check word endings. For academic passages, read the question first and scan.
Listening. Many items are short, everyday exchanges. Focus on the speaker's purpose: is it a request, a complaint, an offer? Take brief notes on the longer talks.
Writing. Build a Sentence puts words in the right order, so grammar and word order matter. The email task rewards a clear purpose, the right tone and complete answers to every point. The academic discussion task asks for a short, well-supported opinion that responds to other posts.
Speaking. Listen and Repeat tests how accurately you reproduce a sentence, so listen to the whole sentence before you start. In the interview, answer directly, then give a reason and an example. Clear speech at a steady pace scores better than speed.
Nigerian candidates often lose easy marks in Listen and Repeat by rushing and dropping small words like "the", "a" and "of". Slow down by half a second and say every word.
What to practise with
- Official ETS practice material for the 2026 format. It is the only source guaranteed to match the new tasks.
- A full mock under timed conditions. At Mafit, a free computer based TOEFL mock is included with registration.
- Feedback on Writing and Speaking, which are hard to mark on your own.
If your study material still describes 50 minute lectures or a 20 minute integrated essay, it is out of date. Use it only for general vocabulary.
Register for TOEFL and prepare free
₦220,000 with code MAFIT, down from ₦250,000, with 6 to 10 weeks of free classes, a free mock and a one on one tutor.
Common questions
Did the TOEFL change in 2026?
Yes. Since 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT is shorter, Reading and Listening adapt to your level, there are new task types, and each section is scored from 1 to 6, with a comparable score out of 120 reported until January 2028.
How long is the new TOEFL iBT?
The four sections take about an hour and a half in total, and ETS advises allowing about two hours for the whole appointment.
How long should I prepare for TOEFL?
Most candidates need about 6 weeks of steady practice in the new format. Allow longer if your first practice test is well below your target.
Are old TOEFL books still useful?
Only for general vocabulary and reading practice. The tasks changed in 2026, so practise the format with official 2026 material.
How much is TOEFL registration in Nigeria with Mafit?
₦250,000 standard, or ₦220,000 with code MAFIT, including 6 to 10 weeks of free classes and a free mock test.