ETS Revamps TOEFL with AI-Based ID Verification and Adaptive Testing: What You Need to Know

The Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organisation behind the globally recognised TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), is introducing significant changes to the TOEFL exam aimed at enhancing the test-taker experience and aligning scoring with international standards. These updates include AI-assisted identity verification, adaptive test design, and a simplified registration process, with some changes already effective from May 30, 2025, and others launching in 2026.

This blog post explores all the key updates introduced by ETS for TOEFL, highlighting how these advancements will make the exam more personalised, secure, and easier to navigate for candidates worldwide.

Personalised TOEFL: Adaptive Testing Arrives in 2026

One of the most notable upcoming changes to the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) is the introduction of a multi-stage adaptive design for the reading and listening sections, starting in 2026. This new testing format will personalise the difficulty of questions in real-time, adjusting based on each test-taker’s performance as they progress through the exam.

According to Rohit Sharma, Senior Vice President of Global Mobility Solutions at ETS, this adaptive approach will use content that is “relevant, accessible, and carefully reviewed to reduce cultural bias.” This means test takers can expect questions that better match their English proficiency level, making the test fairer and more reflective of actual language skills.

Dual Scoring System: Introducing the 1 to 6 Intuitive Score Scale

Alongside the traditional TOEFL score range of 0 to 120, ETS is introducing a new, intuitive scoring scale ranging from 1 to 6. Starting in 2026, TOEFL score reports will display both scales side by side. This dual system is designed to simplify score interpretation for both institutions and test takers.

Notably, the new 1 to 6 band aligns directly with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) — the world’s most widely recognised English language proficiency framework. This alignment ensures a more consistent and internationally comparable assessment of English skills.

ETS has committed to providing universities and institutions with dedicated training and resources to help them understand and transition smoothly to the new scoring method.

AI-Assisted Identity Verification Enhances Test Security

ETS is integrating AI-powered identity verification technology (ENTRUST) to strengthen the security of the TOEFL exam process. This innovation aims to quickly and accurately confirm test takers’ identities, significantly reducing identity verification issues and the potential for impersonation.

Starting in May 2025, this AI verification system will be in place for the TOEFL Home Edition, providing candidates with a more secure and seamless remote testing experience.

Redesigned TOEFL Home Edition for a Stress-Free Experience

In addition to AI identity verification, the TOEFL Home Edition has been redesigned to improve the overall test-taking experience. Key enhancements include:

• ETS-trained in-house proctors who provide consistent, expert support throughout the testing session.
• A simplified registration and test-day workflow aimed at reducing administrative hurdles and stress for candidates.
• Seamless integration of AI verification and proctor support, ensuring smooth check-in and monitoring processes.
   

These improvements reflect ETS’s commitment to making the home testing environment as reliable and user-friendly as traditional test centres.

Previous Enhancements: Shorter Test Duration and Immediate Score Release

ETS has been continuously refining the TOEFL test. In 2023, a series of significant updates were implemented, such as:

• Reducing the test duration from three hours to under two hours, making it less taxing for test takers.
• Allowing candidates to view their official TOEFL score release date immediately after completing the exam provides transparency and convenience.
   

These changes, coupled with the current and upcoming updates, demonstrate ETS’s focus on modernising the TOEFL test while maintaining its rigorous standards.

TOEFL’s Global Reach and Recognition

The TOEFL test is recognised by over 12,000 institutions across more than 160 countries. It is widely accepted in popular study destinations, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, where over 98% of universities accept TOEFL scores as a standard for admission.

The test evaluates the English proficiency of non-native speakers aspiring to study in English-speaking universities, assessing their skills in reading, listening, speaking, and writing.

ETS’s commitment to updating the TOEFL reflects the growing need for reliable, flexible, and equitable English proficiency testing in today’s global education landscape.

What This Means for Test Takers and Institutions

• For test takers: The new AI identity verification and improved proctoring mean a smoother, more secure testing process. The adaptive test format will tailor difficulty levels to individual skills, potentially reducing unnecessary challenge or ease of use.
   
• For institutions: The dual scoring system, aligned with the CEFR, will facilitate the more straightforward interpretation and comparison of TOEFL scores internationally, leading to fairer admissions decisions.
   
• For educators and administrators, ETS’s support through training and resources will help in adopting the new scoring scales and understanding adaptive test design, ensuring a smooth transition.

Summary of Key Changes and Timeline

Conclusion

ETS’s sweeping updates to the TOEFL exam mark a significant step forward in language testing. By combining AI technology, adaptive testing, and a new scoring framework aligned with international standards, the TOEFL is poised to deliver a fairer, more personalised, and user-friendly experience for millions of test takers worldwide.

Aspiring students planning to take the TOEFL should monitor these changes and prepare accordingly. Meanwhile, universities and institutions will benefit from more precise score interpretation and better support from ETS during the transition.

For continuous updates on education and testing news, stay connected to our blog.