TOEFL study plan for the new iBT format
The TOEFL iBT changed in 2026, so many older study guides no longer match what you see on test day. This prompt has your todo.is agent check the current format on the ETS site, then plan your weeks around the task types you will actually get and the score your school asks for.
The prompt
- Make me a TOEFL iBT study plan. My test is on [TEST DATE] and my school needs [REQUIRED SCORE]. My current level is [CURRENT LEVEL]. I can study [STUDY TIME]. First check the current TOEFL iBT format and task types on the official ETS site and list them for me with links. Then make a day-by-day plan with practice for every task type, more time on [WEAKEST SECTION], one timed practice test each week, and a new Write an Email and Academic Discussion question twice a week. Give me feedback when I send my answers. Send the plan as an Excel file and a one-page PDF, and remind me of each day's task on Telegram at 19:00.
What to change
- [TEST DATE]: The date you booked, or "not booked, aiming for June".
- [REQUIRED SCORE]: Copy it from the admissions page. Schools may list a 1–6 band score, a 0–120 score, or both.
- [CURRENT LEVEL]: A past TOEFL score, a practice test result, or a CEFR level like "B2".
- [STUDY TIME]: E.g. "1 hour on weekdays, 2 hours on Sunday".
- [WEAKEST SECTION]: Reading, Listening, Writing or Speaking. Say "not sure" and the agent starts with a diagnostic.
Example result
- TOEFL iBT plan: 6 weeks to a band 5 (about 100)
- Test: 22 May · Now: B2, practice test score around 85 · Weakest: Speaking
- What to expect (checked on the ETS site)
- • Since January 2026 the TOEFL iBT is shorter, Reading and Listening adapt to your level, and scores are reported on a 1–6 band scale. Check ets.org for how your school reads scores.
- • Reading: short tasks such as Complete the Words and Read in Daily Life, plus an academic passage
- • Listening: choose a response, conversations, announcements and short academic talks
- • Writing: Build a Sentence, Write an Email, and Academic Discussion
- • Speaking: Listen and Repeat, and Take an Interview
- Week 1: diagnose
- • Take the free official practice test under timed conditions
- • Record every Speaking answer and listen back for pauses and filler words
- • Write one email and one discussion post with no time limit to see your natural level
- Weeks 2 to 3: Speaking first
- • Listen and Repeat: 15 sentences a day from campus and lecture audio, focusing on stress and full endings (-ed, -s)
- • Interview practice: 4 questions a day, 45 seconds each, using a simple frame: answer, reason, example
- • Reading: 10 Complete the Words items daily to build fast word recognition
- Weeks 4 to 5: Writing and timing
- • Write an Email: polite opening, all points from the prompt, clear request, short close
- • Academic Discussion: state your view, add one reason the other students did not mention, give an example
- • One full timed practice test each Saturday, mistakes sorted by task type
- Week 6: polish
- • Two short mixed sessions a day instead of long ones
- • Check your ID, the test rules and your room setup if you test at home
- Sample feedback on an email
- Good: all three points covered, polite tone. Fix: "I want that you send" should be "I would like you to send". Add one sentence explaining why you need the answer by Friday.
How to do it with todo.is
- Fill in your test date, required score and the time you have, then copy the prompt.
- Paste it into todo.is on the Today screen, or message it to your agent on Telegram or WhatsApp.
- Your agent checks the official format first, then sends the Excel plan and the PDF overview.
- Reply with voice notes for Speaking and text for Writing to get feedback. Ask "make week 3 lighter" if life gets busy.
Tips for a better result
- Use only practice material that matches the 2026 format. Old 4-passage Reading sets will train the wrong timing.
- For Listen and Repeat, accuracy beats speed. Say every word, including small ones like "the" and "of".
- Learn a few polite email phrases by heart ("Could you let me know…", "I would appreciate it if…"). They save time on test day.
- If you test at home, do one practice session in the same room with the same headset and camera.
TOEFL study plan: FAQ
- What changed in the TOEFL in 2026? ETS introduced a shorter test with new task types, adaptive Reading and Listening, and a 1–6 band score scale aligned with CEFR levels. Always confirm the latest details on ets.org.
- How long should I study for the TOEFL? With a B2 level, 4 to 8 weeks of daily practice is common. If you are below B2, plan for longer and build general English first.
- Do universities accept the new TOEFL scores? Most schools that accepted the TOEFL iBT accept the new version, but they set their own minimums. Check the admissions page or ask the school directly.
- Can todo.is score my TOEFL practice answers? It gives you detailed feedback and an estimated level based on the public scoring guides. Only ETS gives official scores.
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