The Enhanced TOEFL iBT® Experience: Shorter, Streamlined, and Modernized

The TOEFL iBT® test, known as the world's most respected and accepted English-language proficiency test, is now offering an enhanced experience starting from July 26, 2023. With several exciting changes, the test has become even better, and what's more, it can now be completed in just under 2 hours, making it the shortest among the three most popular English-language tests. In this article, we will explore the new enhancements and provide a detailed overview of the TOEFL iBT test structure and the new writing task.

Enhancements and Test Overview

The new enhancements introduced in the TOEFL iBT test offer a streamlined and more efficient experience for test takers. These enhancements include:

1. Streamlined Instructions and Navigation: The instructions and navigation within the test have been simplified, allowing test takers to focus more on the content and less on the logistics of the exam.

2. Shortened Reading Section: The reading section now consists of only two reading passages, with 10 questions each. This reduction in the number of passages and questions allows test takers to allocate their time more effectively and enhances their reading comprehension experience.

3. Concise and Modern Writing Task: The current Independent Writing task has been replaced with a more concise and modern task called "Writing for an Academic Discussion." In this task, test takers are required to state and support their opinion on a given topic within an online class discussion setting.

4. Removal of Unscored Test Questions: All unscored test questions have been removed, ensuring that every question contributes to the overall score. This change provides a more accurate assessment of the test taker's English language proficiency.

Let's delve into the specific details of the TOEFL iBT test structure, which will be applicable from July 26, 2023.

TOEFL iBT Test Structure (for tests starting July 26, 2023)

• Reading Section: The reading section consists of 20 questions and has a time limit of 35 minutes.

• Listening Section: The listening section comprises 28 questions and has a time limit of 36 minutes.

• Speaking Section: The speaking section involves 4 tasks and has a time limit of 16 minutes.

• Writing Section: The writing section includes 2 tasks and has a time limit of 29 minutes.

• Total Time: The overall test duration is under 2 hours.

New Writing Task: Writing for an Academic Discussion

One significant change in the TOEFL iBT test is the replacement of the Independent Writing task with a new writing task known as "Writing for an Academic Discussion." This task reflects a more modern approach to writing and assesses the test taker's ability to express and support their opinion within an academic discussion framework.

In this task, test takers will be presented with a question related to an academic topic. They will need to write a response that expresses their opinion, contributes to the discussion, and provides supporting points or examples. The response should be at least 100 words long, and test takers will have a time limit of ten minutes to complete it.

To illustrate the new writing task, let's examine an example question:

Professor: Hello class! Next week we will be discussing the impact of social media influencers on consumer behavior. With the rise of social media platforms like Instagram and YouTube, we've seen the emergence of a new type of celebrity: the social media influencer. Here's a question for the discussion board:

Do social media influencers have a major impact on consumers? Why or why not?

In this task, test takers will need to provide their opinion on whether social media influencers have a significant impact on consumers. They should support their opinion with relevant arguments and examples. The response should showcase the test taker's ability to engage in an academic discussion and effectively communicate their ideas.

Writing Task Guide and Sample Answer

To assist test takers in approaching the new writing task, here is a template that can be utilized as a guide:

1. Introduce your opinion on the question.

2. Agree or disagree with a point made by one of the participants in the discussion.

3. Add your own perspective and expand on it with supporting ideas.

4. Address any contrasting views mentioned by other participants and provide counterarguments.

5. Provide examples or additional ideas to strengthen your response.

Using this template, you can structure your response effectively while incorporating various grammatical forms and idiomatic word choices.

For instance, let's consider the following sample answer:

In my opinion, social media influencers aren't as significant as some people suggest. I agree with Emily's idea that people are too smart to be influenced by them. I'd add that twenty years ago, a charismatic person might have convinced us to buy something we didn't really need, but I think that doesn't happen as much nowadays. That's because we can thoroughly research whatever we are interested in using blogs, consumer magazines, and social media. We can use these sources of information to find products that exactly suit our needs, so we aren't swayed by the exaggerated claims of social media influencers. Jack raised the relevant point that young people are especially vulnerable, but I think parents these days take the time to educate their kids and monitor their internet use. As a result, young people aren't likely to make rash decisions about what to buy.

Remember to adapt the template to your writing style and ensure that your response meets the minimum word requirement.

The enhanced TOEFL iBT® test introduces exciting changes that aim to provide test takers with a more efficient and modern examination experience. The streamlined instructions and navigation, shortened reading section, new writing task, and removal of unscored test questions collectively contribute to an improved assessment of English language proficiency. By familiarizing yourself with the new test structure and preparing effectively for the writing task, you can confidently approach the TOEFL iBT test and showcase your language skills to achieve your desired results.