The TOEFL Reading test evaluates a candidate’s ability to understand academic and real-life texts through an adaptive format. The section includes around 50 questions to be completed in 30 minutes. It features 3 task types: Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, and Read an Academic Passage.
The TOEFL scores for the Reading section are reported on a 0-30 scale and are also mapped to CEFR levels from A1 (Beginner) to C2 (Master). CEFR is the European standard of measuring language proficiency.
This article explains the TOEFL Reading test pattern, question types, scoring system, preparation strategies, free practice tests, and official resources relevant for Indian students.
Free TOEFL Reading Practice Papers PDF
Check out some free TOEFL Reading practice pdfs by Collegedunia below:
TOEFL Reading Pattern 2026
The TOEFL Reading section consists of 3 types of tasks:
- Complete the Words
- Read in Daily Life
- Read an Academic Passage
The total number of questions is 50 and the duration is 30 minutes.
TOEFL Reading Question Types 2026
The TOEFL Reading questions assess your ability to comprehend both academic and non-academic texts from various English-speaking contexts. Below are the explanations for each question type:
1. Complete the Words
This task assesses the ability to process written texts for meaning and form. You will be given paragraph-length (about 70-100 words) academic texts. Following an intact first sentence, the second half of every second word is deleted, and you will be required to provide the missing letters. Each text contains 10 words with missing letters.
Sample Question:
2. Read in Daily Life
This task includes short, non-academic texts commonly encountered in daily life around the world. Examples of texts include:
- a poster, sign, or notice
- a menu
- a social media post or web page
- a schedule
- an email
- a chain of text messages
- an advertisement
- a news article
- a form
- an invoice
- a receipt
The texts can be anywhere from about 15 to 150 words long, and they are followed by 2-3 multiple-choice questions depending on the length of the text. The questions will require you to
- Understand information in common, nonlinear text formats.
- Identify the main purpose of a written communication.
- Understand informal language, including common idiomatic expressions.
- Make inferences based on text.
- Understand telegraphic language.
- Skim and scan for information.
Sample Question:
Check Answer
D
3. Read an Academic Passage
This task includes short descriptive passages at the secondary and higher education levels. No background knowledge is required to understand the passages. The topics are drawn from areas such as history, art and music, business and economics, life science, physical science, and social science.
Each passage is approximately 200 words long and is followed by 5 questions. The questions will require you to
- Identify the main ideas and basic context of a short, linear text.
- Understand the important details in a short text.
- Understand the range of grammatical structures used by academic writers.
- Infer meaning from information that is not explicitly stated.
- Understand a broad range of academic vocabulary.
- Understand a range of figurative and idiomatic expressions.
- Understand ideas expressed with grammatical complexity.
- Understand the relationship between ideas across sentences and paragraphs.
- Recognize the rhetorical structure of all or part of a written text.
Sample Question:
Check Answer
B
How is the TOEFL Reading Scored?
The TOEFL exam pattern is divided into 4 sections: Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening. Each section is scored on a scale of 0-30. After January 2026, a new score in the 1-6 bands will also be provided in line with the CEFR levels.
The TOEFL scores for the Reading section map to CEFR levels in the following way:
| Old Scoring | New Score | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|
| 29-30 | 6 | C2 |
| 27-28 | 5.5 | C1 |
| 24-26 | 5 | C1 |
| 22-23 | 4.5 | B2 |
| 18-21 | 4 | B2 |
| 12-17 | 3.5 | B1 |
| 6-11 | 3 | B1 |
| 4-5 | 2.5 | A2 |
| 3 | 2 | A2 |
| 2 | 1.5 | A1 |
| 0-1 | 1 | A1 |
Important points regarding TOEFL Scores:
- TOEFL results will now be released within 72 hours (3 business days) of the test.
- For a 2-year transition period, both old and new scores will be provided to you, and universities will accept both.
Can you review or challenge TOEFL Reading scores?
No, TOEFL Reading scores cannot be re-evaluated. ETS allows score review only for Speaking and Writing sections.
TOEFL Reading Preparation Tips for Indian Students
As per Reddit, Indian students commonly face challenges with advanced academic vocabulary, complex sentence structures, time pressure, and inference questions (due to exam patterns like JEE and NEET focusing more on rote). Here are some tips:
Build foundational skills:
- Vocabulary: Master the Academic Word List (AWL). Use apps like Anki or Quizlet. Read in context rather than memorizing lists.
- Reading habits: Daily read English newspapers (The Hindu, Indian Express editorials), The Economist, or Scientific American (simplified versions), or free academic articles on JSTOR or Google Scholar. Aim for 1-2 articles daily.
- Speed & comprehension: Practice skimming (main idea in 1-2 minutes) and scanning (for details). Target 150-200 words per minute with understanding.
Task-specific strategies:
- Complete the Words: Predict the word from context and stem (e.g., for "peo___", the answer is "people").
- Daily Life: Read the whole text quickly; focus on who, what, why, and required actions. These are straightforward, but watch for paraphrasing.
- Academic: Skim first for structure (topic sentence, examples, conclusion). Answer factual and vocab first, then inferences. For negative facts, eliminate options carefully.
- Time management: Don't spend more than 1.5 minutes per question. Guess and move on (no penalty). Prioritize easier questions.
- General: Highlight key phrases. Understand paraphrasing (Synonyms are common in the test). Practice under timed conditions to simulate adaptive pressure.
Common pitfalls to avoid:
- Over-relying on dictionary-style vocab (always use context).
- Spending too much time on one hard question.
- Ignoring signal words (however, therefore, for example) for relationships.
Study plan (2-3 months recommended):
- Week 1-2: Learn format, vocabulary, and basic strategies.
- Week 3-6: Daily practice (1 full Reading section and review errors).
- After Week 7: Timed practice tests (2-3 per week). Analyze mistakes.
- Take at least 2-3 official practice tests.
Best Resources
- Official (most important):
- ETS website: Free practice test, sample questions, and TOEFL TestReady (personalized prep).
- Official Guide to the TOEFL iBT Test (book with practice tests).
- TOEFL iBT Free Practice Tests on ets.org.
- Additional:
- Books: “Mastering the Reading Section for the TOEFL iBT” by Kathy Spratt (excellent for strategies).
- Online: Magoosh TOEFL, TST Prep, or BestMyTest (updated for 2026).
- YouTube: Official TOEFL TV channel and channels explaining the 2026 format.
- Apps: Readlang or LingQ for contextual reading.
The TOEFL Reading section in 2026 focuses on academic and real-life reading skills with an adaptive format. Success depends on strong vocabulary, quick comprehension, and familiarity with question types. Knowing the scoring system and CEFR levels helps set clear targets. Consistent practice with official ETS materials is key to preparation.
FAQs
Ques. Is the TOEFL Reading section harder after becoming adaptive in 2026?
Ans. The difficulty adjusts based on your answers, but the syllabus has not increased. Strong performance early may lead to harder questions, while mistakes lower the difficulty. Preparation strategy remains the same.
Ques. Do Indian students usually score lower in TOEFL Reading compared to other sections?
Ans. Based on student discussions on Reddit and Quora, Indian students often find Reading challenging due to academic vocabulary and inference-based questions, rather than a lack of grammar knowledge.
Ques. Is guessing penalized in TOEFL Reading?
Ans. No. There is no negative marking in TOEFL. Students are advised to guess and move on if unsure, especially due to strict time limits.
Ques. How long should Indian students prepare for the TOEFL Reading?
Ans. Most Indian students prepare for 6-8 weeks if they already read English regularly. Students with limited reading habits may need closer to 2-3 months.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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