How Long is the TOEFL? And How Long Should I Study? (2026)

How long is the TOEFL? The short answer: approximately 1.5 hours. That’s it—Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, all in about 90 minutes. If you’ve heard that the TOEFL takes two hours or more, you’re not wrong—it used to. But as of January 2026, the test is significantly shorter.

Of course, knowing how long the test takes only answers half the question. Most people also want to know how long they should study for the TOEFL—and that answer is more personal. In this guide, we’ll cover both: the exact timing of every section on the TOEFL, what changed in 2026, and how to figure out the right study timeline for your situation.

How Long Is the TOEFL?

The TOEFL iBT—the standard version of the test, and the one accepted by most universities—takes approximately 1.5 hours of total testing time. That includes all four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

There are no scheduled breaks during the test. You move through the four sections back-to-back, so the entire experience is one continuous session from start to finish.

That said, 1.5 hours is just the testing time. It doesn’t include what happens before and after.

Pro tip: Budget a few extra minutes beyond the 1.5 hours for check-in, ID verification, and the tutorial screens that appear before the test begins. If you’re testing at a center, arrive early. If you’re testing at home, log in and complete the setup process ahead of your scheduled start time.

How Long Is Each Section of the TOEFL?

Here’s the section-by-section breakdown of the TOEFL iBT:

A few things to note:

Reading tests your ability to understand academic and everyday texts—things like short passages, emails, and announcements. You’ll answer questions about main ideas, vocabulary, and details, including “Complete the Words” tasks where you fill in missing words.

Listening measures how well you understand spoken English. You’ll hear short conversations and academic talks, then answer questions about what you heard—including “Choose a Response” tasks where you select the most appropriate reply.

Speaking assesses your verbal communication through “Listen and Repeat” tasks and “Interview” questions about your opinions and experiences. Everything is recorded through your microphone.

Writing evaluates your written English through “Build a Sentence” tasks, professional email writing, and academic discussion responses.

Notice the “up to” in the question counts? That’s because Reading and Listening are adaptive—the test adjusts to your performance as you go, which can affect the number of items you see.

Is the TOEFL Shorter Now? (2026 Changes)

Yes—and it’s a significant change. As of January 2026, the TOEFL iBT went from approximately 2 hours to about 1.5 hours. That’s 30 minutes shorter than the previous format.

Here’s what changed:

• Adaptive testing was introduced for Reading and Listening. The test now adjusts difficulty based on your performance, which can reduce the total number of items and shorten these sections.
• Speaking and Writing are also shorter in the new format, with updated task types that are more efficient while still measuring the same skills.

The result is a faster, more streamlined test—which is good news for test-takers. Less time in the seat means less fatigue and more focus.

Note: If you’ve seen older study materials, forum posts, or blog articles mentioning a 2-hour (or even longer) TOEFL, those refer to the previous format. Make sure any prep resources you use reflect the current 2026 format—outdated materials won’t match what you’ll see on test day.

For a full breakdown of the current test format, including detailed descriptions of every task type, check out our full guide to the TOEFL.

TOEFL Extended Time and Disability Accommodations

If you have a disability or health-related condition, ETS offers accommodations that can change how long the TOEFL takes for you.

Extended Time

Depending on your needs, you can qualify for:

• 25% extra time (time and one-quarter)
• 50% extra time (time and one-half)
• 100% extra time (double time)

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Extra Breaks

In addition to (or instead of) extended time, you can also request extra breaks. When you take a break, the testing clock stops—so break time doesn’t eat into your testing time. Breaks can be used for medication, snacks, trips to the restroom, or simply resting.

For conditions that cause fatigue or the need for rest without directly impacting your ability to work through test questions, extra breaks may actually be more appropriate than extended time.

How to Apply

You’ll need to request accommodations through ETS well in advance of your test date. The process involves submitting documentation of your condition and the accommodations you need.

For full details on eligibility and the application process, visit the ETS disability accommodations page.

How Long Should You Study for the TOEFL?

Now that you know the TOEFL itself takes about 1.5 hours, let’s tackle the bigger question: how long should you spend preparing for it?

The honest answer is that it depends. There’s no single study timeline that works for everyone. But you can figure out your ideal timeline by asking yourself three questions:

1. What score do you need?
2. What’s your current English level?
3. How much time do you realistically have?

Let’s work through each one.

What TOEFL Score Do You Need?

Before you can figure out how long to study, you need to know what you’re aiming for. And the answer depends on where you’re applying.

Different universities—and different programs within the same university—have different TOEFL score requirements. Some set an overall minimum. Others specify minimum scores for individual sections, particularly Writing or Speaking.

Your first step is to check the admissions page for every program you’re interested in. Look for their English proficiency requirements and note:

• The overall minimum score
• Any section-specific minimums
• Whether they have a “preferred” score that’s higher than the minimum

The bigger the gap between your current level and your target score, the more preparation time you’ll need.

Pro tip: Score requirements can vary by program, not just by university. A business school might require different scores than an engineering program at the same institution. Always check the specific program’s page—don’t rely on the university’s general admissions requirements alone.

For guidance on what counts as a competitive score, see our guide on What Is a Good TOEFL Score?

How Do You Know Your Current Level?

This is the most important factor in determining your study timeline. Be honest with yourself here—it will save you time and frustration in the long run.

If you have a previous TOEFL score, start there. Look at your section scores and identify where you need the most improvement. Did you struggle with Listening? Was your Writing score lower than expected? That tells you exactly where to focus your preparation.

If you don’t have a score yet, take a practice test to establish your baseline. Our free TOEFL practice test will give you a sense of where you stand across all four sections.

Once you know your starting point, your study timeline generally falls into one of three categories:

You’re already familiar with the test and just need practice

You’re comfortable with English. You understand the TOEFL format. Maybe you’ve taken the test before or studied for it previously, and you’re close to your target score. You mainly need to sharpen your timing, practice the question types, and iron out weak spots.

Timeline: under 1 month of focused practice.

You need to learn the test structure and strategies

Your English skills are solid, but you’re unfamiliar with the TOEFL’s specific question types, scoring criteria, and pacing. You know how to read and write in English—you just haven’t learned how to apply those skills to this particular test.

Timeline: 1-3 months to build test-specific skills on top of your existing English ability.

You need general English improvement

Your reading speed, listening comprehension, vocabulary, or grammar foundations still need development. This isn’t about test strategy—it’s about building the underlying English skills that the TOEFL measures.

Timeline: 3-6 months or longer (in some cases, years), depending on where your current English level is. This is the most honest and important assessment to make. If you’re in this category, give yourself the time you need. Rushing into the TOEFL before your English is ready means spending money on a test you’ll likely need to retake.

How to Build Your TOEFL Study Plan

You know your target score and your current level. The final piece is figuring out how your study plan fits into your real life.

Factor in your constraints

Think about:

• Application deadlines: When do you need your scores? Work backward from that date.
• Your daily schedule: Are you studying full-time, working, or both? Be realistic about how many hours per day you can dedicate to TOEFL prep.
• Other commitments: If you’re also preparing for another test (like the GRE or GMAT), you’ll need to balance your time across both.

Match your plan to your timeline

Based on the three categories above:

• Already familiar, just need practice? A focused 2-4 week plan works well. Concentrate on timed practice, review your common mistakes, and take at least one full-length practice test.
• Need to learn test structure and strategies? A 1-3 month plan gives you time to work through each section systematically, learn the question types, and build confidence with practice tests.
• Need general English improvement? A 3-6+ month plan is realistic. Spend the earlier months building your English foundation (reading, listening to English media, expanding vocabulary), then shift to test-specific prep in the final weeks.

Use a study schedule

One of the best things you can do is follow a structured study schedule that matches your timeline. We have TOEFL study schedules designed for different timeframes:

• Short on time? Try our 1-month TOEFL study schedule—ideal if you’re already comfortable with English and want a focused prep plan.
• Have more time to work with? Our 3-month TOEFL study plan provides a more gradual, thorough approach with time for each section.

Whatever your timeline, use all the time you have. Don’t wait until two weeks before the test to start studying—start now and build momentum.

Pro tip: If you’re also preparing for another standardized test like the GRE, prioritize whichever test is more challenging for you and allocate proportionally more study time to it. For most non-native English speakers, the TOEFL is actually the easier of the two—so you may not need as much TOEFL-specific prep time as you think.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many hours is the TOEFL?

The TOEFL iBT takes approximately 1.5 hours of testing time. This includes all four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) with no scheduled breaks.

Is the TOEFL shorter than the IELTS?

Yes. The TOEFL iBT is approximately 1.5 hours, while the IELTS Academic takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes. The TOEFL is roughly half the length of the IELTS.

Can I take a break during the TOEFL?

There are no scheduled breaks during the standard TOEFL iBT. You move through all four sections continuously. However, if you have a disability or health-related condition, you can apply for extra breaks through ETS’s disability accommodations program.

How long are TOEFL scores valid?

TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. After that, they expire and are no longer available for score reports. If your scores have expired and you still need them, you’ll need to retake the test.

Can I study for the TOEFL in 2 weeks?

It’s possible—but only if you’re already strong in English and mainly need to familiarize yourself with the test format. If that describes you, we have a 2-week TOEFL study plan designed for exactly this situation. That said, more time is always better. If you can give yourself a month or more, you’ll feel more confident on test day.

How many times can I take the TOEFL?

There’s no limit to the number of times you can take the TOEFL. However, you must wait at least 3 days between attempts. Keep in mind that each retake costs the full registration fee, so thorough preparation before your first attempt can save you significant money.

What’s Next?

Here’s the big picture: the TOEFL itself takes about 1.5 hours—shorter than ever thanks to the 2026 format changes. How long you need to prepare depends on your target score, your current English level, and the time you have available.

The good news? The TOEFL is a test you can prepare for effectively. With the right study plan and consistent effort, you can reach your target score.

Ready to get started? Magoosh TOEFL Prep gives you everything you need in one place—official ETS practice questions, expert video lessons, and personalized feedback on Speaking and Writing. Plus, you can follow one of our TOEFL study schedules to stay on track from day one.

You’ve got this. Happy studying!