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.

Is there a timer for every question?

No. There is no separate timer for each individual question — you manage your time across the module.

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.

Step 1 · Everyone takes this

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.

Step 2 · Easier route

Module 2

7Listen and Choose a Response
4Conversations
4Announcements

15 scored questions

Step 2 · Harder route

Module 2

3Listen and Choose a Response
4Conversations
8Academic Talks

15 scored questions

Listen and Choose a Response sample

Real items from free YourTOEFLPrep practice tests. Play the audio, choose the best response, then check — the transcript appears only after you answer.

Choose the best response

Real question

What does the woman/man most likely say next? Choose the best response.

Choose an answer for each question first.

Conversation sample

A real conversation from a free practice test, with its questions.

Ordering at a café

Real question

Why does the customer change the order?

What does the customer order in the end?

Choose an answer for each question first.

Announcement sample

A real announcement from a free practice test, with a selection of its questions.

An announcement in a dormitory

Real question

What is the announcement mainly about?

What does the speaker suggest residents do?

Choose an answer for each question first.

Academic Talk sample

A real 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

Real question

What is the talk mainly about?

Why does the professor say that no single navigation cue is enough?

Choose an answer for each question first.

Start a full TOEFL Listening practice test

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 real audio and see your estimated practice band.

Start a free test How Listening is scored

YourTOEFLPrep provides unofficial educational practice estimates. YourTOEFLPrep is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS, and practice scores are not official TOEFL scores.