TOEFL Listening
TOEFL® Listening Practice — 2026 Format
The updated TOEFL Listening section has four task types:
- Listen and Choose a Response — hear a short utterance and pick the best reply.
- Listen to a Conversation
- Listen to an Announcement
- Listen to an Academic Talk
Listening uses the same two-stage adaptive structure as Reading: everyone first takes the Router Module, followed by either the Lower Module (the easier Stage 2) or the Upper Module (the harder Stage 2). You may take notes, and there is no separate timer for every individual question — you manage your time across the module. Specialized background knowledge is not required.
How the section is structured
First, everyone takes Module 1. Based on how you do, you then receive either the easier or the harder Module 2. You do not take both.
Module 1
- 8Listen and Choose a Response
- 4Conversations
- 4Announcements
- 4Academic Talks
20 scored questions
Based on your Module 1 performance, you receive either the easier or harder Module 2.
Module 2
- 7Listen and Choose a Response
- 4Conversations
- 4Announcements
15 scored questions
Module 2
- 3Listen and Choose a Response
- 4Conversations
- 8Academic Talks
15 scored questions
Listen and Choose a Response sample
Items from a free yourtoeflprep practice test. Play the audio, choose the best response, then check — the transcript appears only after you answer.
Choose the best response
Practice questionChoose an answer for each question first.
Conversation sample
A conversation from a free practice test, with its questions.
Campus conversation
Practice questionChoose an answer for each question first.
Announcement sample
An announcement from a free practice test, with a selection of its questions.
An announcement in a dormitory
Practice questionChoose an answer for each question first.
Academic Talk sample
An academic talk from a free practice test, with a selection of its questions. You should be able to answer using the information in the recording — specialized academic background knowledge is not required.
A talk in a biology class
Practice questionChoose an answer for each question first.
Frequently asked questions
- What Listening tasks are on the updated TOEFL?
- The updated Listening section includes Listen and Choose a Response, Listen to a Conversation, Listen to an Announcement, and Listen to an Academic Talk.
- Is TOEFL Listening adaptive?
- Yes. Listening uses a Router Module followed by either a Lower or Upper Module.
- Can I take notes?
- Yes. Note-taking is permitted.
- Is there a timer for every question?
- No. There is no separate timer for each individual question — you manage your time across the module.
Ready to practice Listening?
Take the full adaptive section with all its audio and see your estimated practice band.
Practice questions on yourtoeflprep are independently created for educational practice and are not official ETS test questions. yourtoeflprep is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or approved by ETS. Practice scores are unofficial educational estimates, not official TOEFL scores.