Exam preparation · TOEFL iBT
TOEFL preparation online: ready for the new iBT format
The TOEFL iBT was fundamentally revised on 21 January 2026, with new tasks, an adaptive format and a score scale from 1 to 6. In our TOEFL preparation course online you practise exactly this format live with a teacher, take timed mock tests and receive feedback on your Writing and Speaking.
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At a glance
TOEFL in brief
| Format | computer-based and adaptive; at a test centre or as the Home Edition with live remote supervision |
|---|---|
| Duration | approx. 2 hours excluding instructions; time and number of tasks may vary |
| Sections | Reading approx. 30 min, Listening approx. 29 min, Writing approx. 23 min, Speaking approx. 8 min |
| Scale | 1 to 6 in half steps, aligned with the CEFR; for two years, a comparable score on the 0 to 120 scale is also reported |
| Result | four section scores and a total score, available in your ETS account about 3 days after the test; no pass or fail |
| Validity | 2 years |
| Used for | mainly university study and admissions; the institution sets the minimum scores |
TOEFL preparation online at choices®: the key facts
Our TOEFL preparation online takes you step by step to your target score. You start with a placement and diagnostic test, receive a study plan up to your test date and practise live with a teacher, one-to-one or in a small group of up to six. Mock tests in the new iBT format and Writing and Speaking feedback are included.
What the preparation includes
- Placement and diagnostic test with an analysis of Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking
- Study plan, planned backwards from your test date or application deadline
- Training in all the new task types with realistic time limits
- Feedback on emails, discussion posts and speaking recordings based on the criteria published by ETS
- Mock tests under exam conditions, on a computer and against the clock
- Technical check if you are taking the Home Edition from home
Please note: choices® does not run the TOEFL and does not issue certificates or score reports. You register directly with ETS. Whether TOEFL or IELTS is the better fit for your goal is covered in our comparison TOEFL or IELTS: the differences at a glance.
What has changed in the TOEFL iBT since January 2026?
A revised TOEFL iBT has been in place since 21 January 2026. According to ETS, it takes about two hours excluding instructions, adapts to your performance and consists of many short, timed tasks. Scores are reported on a scale from 1 to 6. Many older practice books no longer reflect this format, so check the edition date before you buy.
The task types at a glance
| Section | Tasks | Approx. time |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Read an Academic Passage | 30 min |
| Listening | Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement, Listen to an Academic Talk | 29 min |
| Writing | Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Write for an Academic Discussion | 23 min |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat, Take an Interview | 8 min |
Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Content and Structure. Because the test is adaptive, the time and number of tasks may vary slightly. For your preparation this means that quick decisions, confident typing and short, precise answers count for more than long texts.
TOEFL score: the result you need for study and work
There is no pass mark in the TOEFL. Each university or institution sets its own minimum scores, often for the total score and for individual sections. Since 2026, ETS has reported scores from 1 to 6, aligned with the CEFR. Check whether your target institution already quotes the new scale or still uses the old one from 0 to 120.
According to ETS on the new score scale, a score of 5 in each section corresponds to level C1. As a rule of thumb, 6 stands for C2, 5 to 5.5 for C1 and 4 to 4.5 for B2. For a two-year transition period, the score report also includes a comparable score on the previous 0 to 120 scale.
Who typically needs the TOEFL
- Studying abroad: according to ETS, more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries accept the TOEFL, most of them universities.
- English-taught programmes in Germany, Austria and Switzerland: universities in Munich, Vienna or Zurich accept TOEFL in some cases and IELTS or Cambridge in others.
- Scholarships and exchange programmes: these often state specific minimum scores.
The requirements are always set by the institution concerned. According to ETS, TOEFL scores are valid for two years. If your university also accepts IELTS, our IELTS preparation course online may be the alternative.
Tell us the date and your target score. We will suggest a realistic preparation plan.
How TOEFL preparation works
TOEFL preparation at choices® begins with a needs analysis and a diagnostic test in the new format. From this we draw up a study plan up to your test date. In lessons you practise task types and strategies; between lessons you complete writing and speaking tasks with feedback. Timed mock tests show whether you are ready for test day.
- Needs analysis: your target institution, the required scores, your application deadline and the time you have available.
- Placement and diagnostic test: we see where you stand in relation to your target score and which section is costing you the most points.
- Study plan: priorities based on your error profile, for example more Speaking if you tend to falter under time pressure.
- Training and feedback: task types in lessons, homework with written feedback and speaking recordings with comments.
- Mock tests: complete tests on a computer, followed by a clear plan for the final weeks.
TOEFL training for Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking
In the new TOEFL iBT, the candidates who do best are those who answer many short tasks accurately and quickly. That is why we train speed and accuracy in Reading and Listening, compact, well-structured texts in Writing and fluent, complete answers in Speaking. A second focus is learning to handle time pressure and the adaptive format calmly.
Reading and Listening
In Complete the Words you fill in missing letters in a text, which tests vocabulary and grammar at the same time. In the listening tasks you hear conversations, announcements and academic talks. We practise note-taking, recognising what a speaker intends and making quick decisions instead of dwelling on a single question.
Writing
In Write an Email you must cover every point you are given; in Write for an Academic Discussion you respond to other contributors and add an idea of your own. Your teacher corrects your texts for task completion, structure, vocabulary and grammar. If you rarely type in English, you also practise on a keyboard without spellcheck.
Speaking
You speak into a microphone with no chance to ask questions. We practise Listen and Repeat for pronunciation and intonation, and interview answers that give a reason and an example. Typical mistakes and useful phrases for both tests are collected in our article TOEFL and IELTS compared.
How long does TOEFL preparation take?
How long you need depends on the gap between your current level and the required score. If you have almost reached your target level, four to six weeks of format training is often enough. If you are a whole CEFR level below, twelve weeks or more is realistic. No reputable provider can guarantee a particular score.
| Starting point | Focus | Rough guide |
|---|---|---|
| Target score almost reached | New task types, speed, strategy | approx. 4 to 6 weeks |
| About half a point below | Writing and Speaking with feedback, academic vocabulary | approx. 6 to 10 weeks |
| One CEFR level or more below | Language building first, then test training | 12 weeks or more |
Build in a buffer: according to ETS, scores appear in your account about three days after the test, and some applications need time for a second attempt. If your English is still well below your target, it is better to start with a general English course online and move on to test training afterwards.
TOEFL course: formats, prices and test registration
You can book TOEFL preparation as one-to-one lessons or in a small group of up to six, live online. Individuals pay from €49.99 incl. VAT per 45-minute lesson; companies pay from €40 net plus VAT per 45-minute lesson. You pay the test fee directly to ETS; it is not included in the course price.
For individuals and companies
For the TOEFL, one-to-one lessons are usually the more effective format, because your teacher discusses every one of your speaking recordings and texts individually. Companies book the preparation for employees, for example before a part-time degree or an international programme, with progress reports on request.
After you book your course
- We contact you for the needs analysis and arrange the diagnostic test.
- You are matched with a teacher trained in the new TOEFL format. Only about 1 in 25 applicants passes our selection process.
- You book your test date yourself with ETS, either at a test centre or as the Home Edition. It makes sense to do this after the diagnostic test.
- If your teacher ever changes, a structured handover ensures that your progress and error profile are carried over.
You will find all the other exams we prepare for in our overview of exam preparation.
More exams
Preparation for other certificates
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FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Does choices® run the TOEFL?
No. choices® prepares you for the TOEFL iBT, but does not run the test or issue scores or certificates. You register directly with ETS, either for a test centre or for the Home Edition.
Do you prepare for the new TOEFL format introduced in 2026?
Yes. We train the task types of the revised TOEFL iBT, such as Complete the Words, Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Listen and Repeat and Take an Interview, and we work with the new 1 to 6 scale.
My university still quotes scores from 0 to 120. What now?
For a two-year transition period, ETS also reports a comparable score on the old scale. If in doubt, ask the university which score applies. We align your training with the required result.
Do you guarantee a particular TOEFL score?
No. After the diagnostic test we tell you openly how far you are from your target score and what timeframe looks realistic. No reputable provider can guarantee a result.
Can I also prepare for the Home Edition?
Yes. Alongside test training, we check your microphone, camera and the procedure with you, so that the technology does not catch you out on test day. ETS sets the requirements for the Home Edition.
How many hours a week make sense?
Two to three lessons a week plus short daily practice, such as typing in English and recording yourself speaking, is common. We suggest the exact number of lessons after the diagnostic test.