Enhanced TOEFL iBT Set for January Launch; ETS Hosts Experience Days in Hyderabad

Hyderabad
ETS, the global leader in educational assessment and the creator of the TOEFL iBT test, hosted TOEFL Experience Days in Hyderabad on Monday, offering educators, advisors and partners an early preview of the enhanced TOEFL iBT, scheduled to launch on January 21, 2026.

The hands-on learning event brought together TOEFL experts and leading education stakeholders to share insights into the redesigned test, its research-driven framework and classroom-ready resources. The initiative underscores ETS’s focus on strengthening partnerships that help educators and advisors better support students aspiring to study abroad.

Hyderabad was selected for the event due to its growing importance as a key study-abroad hub in southern India. ETS currently operates two active TOEFL test centres in the city, including one at the Prometric facility. While existing capacity is sufficient to meet current demand, ETS India announced plans to expand its test-centre network in Hyderabad by the end of December 2025, in line with the city’s expanding education ecosystem.

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During the event, participants received first-hand exposure to the enhanced TOEFL iBT, including updates to the test format, AI-powered scoring for improved precision, and adaptive elements designed to reflect real academic communication. Sessions focused on fairness principles, test design, scoring methodology and preparation strategies tailored to today’s competitive global admissions environment.

Addressing the media, Sidnei Rodrigues de Souza, Executive Director – Global Partnerships & Sales, ETS, said the updated TOEFL iBT better mirrors how students communicate in academic settings. “We are evolving the test by updating content and structure, introducing AI-driven scoring, and expanding preparation resources. Educators have responded positively to these enhancements,” he said, adding that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana were chosen as focus regions due to their strong test-taker base and rising outbound student mobility.

Omar Chihane, Global General Manager, TOEFL at ETS, described Hyderabad as a cornerstone market for ETS in southern India. “The region continues to see strong growth in students seeking higher education abroad. As we prepare for the January 2026 launch, this event marks an important step in deepening our engagement with educators and learners. The redesigned TOEFL iBT offers a fairer, more intuitive and personalised testing experience,” he said.

In addition to experiential sessions, educators received classroom-ready materials and guidance on official TOEFL preparation tools, including resources from Study.com, ETS’s official TOEFL test prep partner, as well as the TOEFL Practice Test and the Official TOEFL Prep Course. The event also served as a collaborative platform for educators across Telangana and Andhra Pradesh to exchange insights and discuss evolving student needs.

ETS said similar educator engagement programmes will continue across India in the coming months as part of its outreach ahead of the enhanced TOEFL iBT launch.

For more information on TOEFL Experience Days and the enhanced TOEFL iBT, educators and students can visit www.ets.org/toefl.