1for1 English

Speaking tutorial · Tutorial 1 of 13

What's new in TOEFL Speaking

Back to Tutorials

2 tasks, 11 items, 0 prep time — the current TOEFL iBT Speaking format

TOEFL Speaking was completely redesigned on January 21, 2026: Listen and Repeat, then Take an Interview. Both are audio-only, both ask you to respond immediately — see a real example of each below, and exactly how it's scored.

Part A — Listen and Repeat (7 sentences · scored 0–5 each)

Hear a sentence once, then repeat it back exactly. Only accuracy of reproduction is scored — your opinion never enters into it.

You hear (once)

"Please meet your group at the main entrance."

You repeat it back exactly — matching word for word scores a 5.

Part B — Take an Interview (4 questions · 45 sec each · scored 0–5)

Answer 4 spontaneous questions on one everyday topic — opinion, description, a past event, then opinion again.

A real Part B question

"Do you prefer studying alone or studying with other people? Why?"

Scored on fluency, coherence, language use, and how fully you develop it.

The rule that applies to both parts (0 seconds of prep time)

The instant the audio finishes, you respond — no planning window, unlike older TOEFL tasks or IELTS Speaking's cue card.

The strategy this demands ✓

Start talking the moment the prompt ends — hesitating costs you seconds you never get back.

Putting it together

7 (Listen and Repeat) + 4 (Take an Interview) = 11 items, each 0–5, summed to a raw score out of 55, converted to the 1.0–6.0 band on your results.

Listen and Repeat → Take an Interview → the no-prep rule → scoring summary, revealed in order
DEB

DEB

0:00 0:00

4 things to know about TOEFL Speaking

  1. What's Part A?Listen and Repeat — 7 sentences, scored on accuracy only.
  2. What's Part B?Take an Interview — 4 spontaneous questions, 45 sec each.
  3. What do both parts share?Zero preparation time — respond the instant audio ends.
  4. How does it all add up?11 items, 0–5 each, out of 55 → converted to a 1.0–6.0 band.
Scroll down for the full breakdown