Timing and Navigation Enhancements to the TOEFL® iBT Reading Section

Here's a text test takers have been receiving regarding recent changes in the reading section of the Internet-based TOEFL. Do you see it as good news?

Dear TOEFL® Test Taker,

In response to feedback about the length of the TOEFL iBT® Reading section, ETS is decreasing the maximum number of reading passages from five to four beginning November 1, 2011. You will have either 60 minutes to complete three reading passages and questions, or 80 minutes to complete four reading passages and questions.

In addition, the Reading section will no longer be divided into separately timed parts. Instead, all of the Reading passages and questions will be made available to you in a single block of time. This change will allow you to pace yourself and navigate within the entire Reading section so you can skip questions, go back to review and change responses, or respond to questions you may have skipped. We believe this change will enable you to better utilize your own test-taking strategies.

For more information, see the TOEFL website.

The TOEFL Team

Educational Testing Service
Rosedale Road
Princeton, NJ 08541