Listen and Repeat
Hear short sentences and repeat them accurately and intelligibly, showing that you can process and reproduce spoken English.
Updated TOEFL iBT section
TOEFL iBT Speaking
Listen and Repeat and Take an Interview; ETS lists about 11 items and about 8 minutes base time.
Current focus
- Accurate repetitionAvailable for diagnostics and practice.
- Spontaneous responseAligned to the updated task design.
- Clear spoken deliveryCan feed later Pathway routing.
Section overview
Start with what this section measures
The guidance below follows the TOEFL iBT design effective January 21, 2026 and explains the tasks, test-day experience, score use and preparation for this section.
Accurate repetition
Used for targeted practice under the updated format.
Spontaneous response
Handled cautiously against current ETS information.
Clear spoken delivery
Can connect to mock tests and Pathway support.
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Format and tasks
Speaking tasks in detail
These are the task types in the current ETS TOEFL iBT design. Item totals and base time may vary as the test adapts.
Take an Interview
Answer a sequence of questions about campus situations, experiences or opinions with clear language and a natural speaking pace.
Candidate experience
What happens on test day
Understand the sequence, equipment and response conditions for the complete test, not only the isolated task type.
Section order
A complete test runs Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking in that order. At least one response in every section is required for scores to be reported.
Delivery options
The test is computer-delivered at an authorized test centre; eligible test takers may also use the live-proctored Home Edition.
Test-day experience
Allow about two hours with no scheduled break. Note-taking follows ETS rules; Speaking is recorded by microphone and Writing is typed.
Scoring and results
How results are reported and used
The 1–6 score scale applies from January 21, 2026. Candidates should check both current ETS guidance and the receiving institution’s own requirement.
Current score scale
Each section and the overall result use a 1–6 scale in half-point increments; the overall result is based on the four-section average.
Getting results
ETS currently says scores enter the test taker’s account three days after the test date; official delivery timing also depends on the recipient.
Using a score
Institutions set their own minimums. During transition the report also supplies a comparable legacy overall estimate, so candidates need not convert it themselves.
Preparation
Prepare for the current task design
Start with official examples and the purpose of each task, then classify errors by comprehension, language control, timing and task fulfilment.
Repeat meaning groups
Listen for short chunks, stress and endings, then reproduce the whole sentence clearly rather than word by word.
Answer before developing
In interview responses, give a direct answer first and then add a reason, detail or brief example.
Record and review
Check intelligibility, pace, grammatical control and whether each response actually answers the question.
Official ETS sources
Task design, scoring, score timing and test policies can change. Use current ETS pages for registration and preparation decisions.