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- TOEFL guides
- 2026 format
- Listen to a Conversation
Listening task
TOEFL Listen to a Conversation (2026): format, tips and an example
Quick answer
You hear a short conversation between two people, often on campus. Then you answer questions about the main idea, details and what will happen next.
- 2speakers
- 2questions after it
- ~29 minfor all of Listening
How to do it well
- Find the problemMost conversations start with what someone needs.
- Note the solutionListen for the offer, the change or the decision.
- Predict the next stepQuestions often ask what a speaker will do next.
Example
You hear
Student: Hi, I'd like to move my lab section to Thursday.
Staff: Thursday is full, but Friday morning still has two seats.
Student: Friday works. Do I need my advisor's signature?
Staff: No, I can switch it for you right now.
Questions
Why does the student come to the office? To change a lab section.
What will the staff member probably do next? Move the student to the Friday section.
Our own example, written to match ETS's format. It isn't an official test question.
Common mistakes
- Choosing the first plan mentioned. Thursday was full. The answer is Friday.
- Writing too much down. Note the need, the answer and the next step.
- Missing the speaker's purpose. Ask why each person says what they say.
What ETS looks for
- Questions test main ideas, inferences, the speaker's purpose and simple predictions.
- Listening adapts: part 1 decides how hard part 2 is.
Source: ETS's content and structure page and Updated TOEFL iBT Test Overview.
Questions
How long are the conversations?
Short, just a few turns each, and much shorter than the old campus conversations.
Can I take notes?
Yes. You get scratch paper at a test center, or a small whiteboard for the Home Edition.
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