A shorter, at-home test of everyday and academic English
TOEFL Essentials is an English test from ETS that measures listening, reading, writing and speaking. ETS says you can take it from home in about 1.5 hours. It is a separate test from the TOEFL iBT, with its own tasks, its own 1–12 score scale and an unscored Personal Video Statement.
What the test contains
| Section | Questions | Time | What you do |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30–45 | 21–34 minutes | Answer questions about conversations and talks in various settings |
| Reading | 30–45 | 22–33 minutes | Answer questions about short academic and non-academic texts |
| Writing | 14–18 Build a Sentence questions + 2 tasks | 24–30 minutes | Build sentences and write for everyday and academic situations |
| Speaking | 3 tasks, 19 responses | About 13 minutes | Retell written and spoken input and speak to a simulated interviewer |
| Personal Video Statement | 2 questions | 5 minutes | Talk about yourself and your opinions (not scored) |
ETS recommends planning 1 hour and 50 minutes, which includes 20 minutes for check-in. The test is adaptive, so the number of questions and the timing can vary.
Everyday and academic English together
TOEFL Essentials mixes contexts across the test. Reading includes both everyday texts, such as a poster, menu or social media post, and short academic texts. Listening covers conversations about topics such as dining, health, housing or travel as well as academic announcements and talks. Writing includes an email and either a social media post describing a photo or an academic discussion post.
How TOEFL Essentials differs from TOEFL iBT
| TOEFL Essentials | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | At home | Test centre or at home |
| Length | About 1.5 hours | Sections take about 90 minutes; ETS suggests allowing about 2 hours |
| Score scale | 1–12 per section; overall in half bands | 1–6 per section and overall, with a comparable 0–120 score during the transition from January 2026 |
| Extra component | Unscored Personal Video Statement | None |
Scores
Each section is scored from 1 to 12 in full bands. Your overall score, also 1–12, is the average of the four sections, reported in half bands. Unofficial Listening and Reading scores appear when you finish, and official scores are posted in your ETS account 5–6 days after the test.
Is it right for you?
TOEFL Essentials is useful only if the organisation you are applying to accepts it. ETS publishes a searchable list of institutions that accept it, and advises checking with each institution directly.
Quick FAQ
Is TOEFL Essentials easier than TOEFL iBT? It is a different test with a different format and score scale. What matters is which test your institution accepts and what score it requires.
Can I take it at a test centre? ETS describes TOEFL Essentials as a test you take at home on your own computer.
Official ETS sources
- About TOEFL Essentials
- TOEFL Essentials test content
- TOEFL Essentials scores
- Institutions that accept TOEFL Essentials
Accuracy note (15 September 2026): check ets.org and your target institutions for current details before booking.