TOEFL Reading Section: What to Expect and How to Prepare

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TOEFL Reading Section: What to Expect and How to Prepare

If you are preparing for the TOEFL iBT reading section, this is usually the first part of the exam you complete. In January 2026, ETS made major changes to the TOEFL iBT reading section. The test moved from one fixed set of academic passages to a new format with several task types. If you learned about the TOEFL iBT reading section before this update, some of what you know has changed. If you are still getting familiar with the exam as a whole, our guide on what the TOEFL test is and how it works is a good place to start before diving into this section.

Below is a clear explanation of the current Reading format, how it is scored, and how to prepare.

What the TOEFL Reading Section Tests

The TOEFL reading format now includes three different task types. Each one tests a different reading skill.

Complete the Words gives you a short passage of about 60 to 90 words with some letters missing. You must fill in the missing letters. This task tests vocabulary, spelling, and grammar, not just word recognition.

Read in Daily Life gives you short, everyday texts, such as emails, notices, or announcements. The questions ask about the purpose of the text, its main idea, and its implied meaning.

Read an Academic Passage is the task most similar to the older TOEFL iBT reading exam format. It uses longer academic texts, usually 600 to 700 words, similar to what you would read in a first-year university class. The questions test your understanding of the main idea, supporting details, and inference.

The full Reading section includes up to 50 questions in total, with a base time of about 30 minutes. One thing has not changed: you do not need outside subject knowledge. Every answer is found in the text itself.

How the Reading Section Is Scored

This part of the test changed the most. On January 21, 2026, ETS replaced the old 0–120 total score, with each section scored 0–30, with a new 1–6 band scale. Scores are given in half-point steps, such as 4.5 or 5.0. For example, a Reading score of 5 now matches CEFR level C1. This is roughly the same level as a 24–26 on the old 30-point scale. If you’re not sure what score you should be aiming for, our breakdown of what counts as a good TOEFL score walks through target scores by school and program type.

TOEFL iBT score scale (1–6) by CEFR level

C2 · 6 · (114+)

C1 · 5–5.5 · (95+)

B2 · 4–4.5 · (72+)

B1 · 3–3.5 · (44+)

A2 · 2–2.5 · (24+)

A1 · 1–1.5 · (0+)

Format: 1–6 scale score · old 0–120 scale equivalent (minimum)

The Reading section is now also adaptive. It has two parts, called modules. Every test-taker completes the same first module. Your performance on this module decides which version of the second module you receive: an easier one or a harder one. If you are placed on the easier path, the highest possible Reading score you can earn is capped at 4.0. This means doing your best work in the first module matters more than before, since it decides the highest score you can reach.

Because the new scale is still new to many schools and institutions, ETS is showing both the 1–6 band score and the older 0–120 score on score reports until January 2028.

Common Mistakes in the TOEFL Reading Section

A few mistakes come up again and again among test-takers who score lower than their true reading ability.

Mistake

Using the same strategy for every task type, even though Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, and Academic Passages each test something different.

Fix

Learn what each task type measures before you practice, so your approach matches the skill being tested.

Mistake

Rushing through the first module, since it feels easier and doesn't seem to matter as much as later questions.

Fix

Give the first module your full attention. Your result here decides which path, and score range, you have access to next.

Mistake

Spending too much time trying to answer one hard question instead of moving on.

Fix

Make a reasonable guess and continue. One missed question costs less than falling behind on time for the rest of the section.

Mistake

Studying vocabulary as isolated word lists instead of in context.

Fix

Learn new words in full sentences, especially common academic phrases, so you recognize how they function in context.

Tips to Improve Your TOEFL Reading Score

Learn the format before you begin TOEFL reading practice

Understanding what Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, and Read an Academic Passage each measure will help your practice more than repetition alone.

Read for structure in academic passages

Read the whole passage first to understand its main argument and organization, before you answer detail questions.

Give your full attention to the first module

Your result here decides which path you take next, so treat every question with the same care as later ones.

Read English outside of test preparation

Spend 15 to 20 minutes a day reading real English content to build reading speed and vocabulary recognition.

Learn vocabulary in full sentences

Study new words as they appear in sentences, and prioritize common academic phrases that appear often in academic passages.

Reading vs. the Other TOEFL Sections

Here is how the TOEFL reading test and test reading TOEFL requirements compare to the other three sections in the current TOEFL iBT format. If you are still deciding whether the TOEFL is the right test for you, our comparison of TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. Duolingo can help you choose the exam that best fits your goals.

Section	What It Tests	Format	Approx. Time
Reading	Vocabulary, comprehension, inference	3 task types, up to 50 questions, 2 adaptive modules	~30 min
Listening	Comprehension of conversations, announcements, and lectures	4 task types, 47 items, 2 adaptive modules	~29 min
Speaking	Spoken accuracy, fluency, and natural conversation	2 task types, 11 items	~8 min
Writing	Sentence structure, email writing, and academic opinion writing	3 task types, 12 items	~23 min

For more detail on all three tests, see our TOEFL vs IELTS vs Duolingo comparison.

Explore the other TOEFL sections

Ready to Strengthen Your Reading Skills?

Doing well on the Reading section takes preparation built around its exact format, not only general English ability. If you want structured, one-on-one support to build these strategies into real habits before test day, ISAL’s TOEFL Test Prep program is designed to help you do exactly that.

TOEFL Test Prep Program College Advising

Sources

Educational Testing Service. "TOEFL iBT Reading Section." ETS, 2026, www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content/reading.html.

Educational Testing Service. "TOEFL iBT Test Content: A Breakdown of Test Sections." ETS, 2026, www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content.html.

Educational Testing Service. "TOEFL iBT Score Scale 1 to 6: CEFR & IELTS Comparison." ETS, 2026, www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/score-scale-update.html.

"How to Improve Your TOEFL Reading Score (2026 Format)." Magoosh, 2026, magoosh.com/toefl/how-to-improve-toefl-reading/.

"TOEFL Exam Pattern 2026: All 4 Sections, About 90 Minutes, 1-6 Band Scoring." TOEFL Mock Tests, 2026, www.toeflmocktests.com/blog/toefl-exam-pattern-2026/.

"TOEFL 2026 Changes." Magoosh, 2026, toefl.magoosh.com/toefl-2026-changes.