Writing Strategies
10 TOEFL Exam Sample PDF Resources for 2026
The strongest starting point is a verified full-length PDF for offline familiarization, but 2026 preparation also needs current task coverage and an interactive tool for feedback. The TOEFL iBT 2026 format took effect on January 21, 2026, and the new test centers on Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing with updated task types, so any TOEFL Exam Sample PDF should be checked for task fit before it becomes your main study file.
Here's the practical filter. A good PDF helps with structure, pacing, and answer support, while a current practice tool helps with scoring, correction, and task-by-task repetition. For Writing, that means Build a Sentence, Write an Email, and Academic Discussion. For Reading, it means Complete the Words plus academic and daily-life passages. For Listening, it means Academic Talks, Campus Conversations, Announcements, and Choose the Response. For Speaking, it means Listen and Repeat and Take an Interview.
For the fastest setup, print one PDF, open one score-checking tool like Reach120 mock practice, and keep graded sample answers open for review. Spend the first 20 minutes doing one section, checking the answers, and noting which task type feels least familiar.
- Table of Contents
- 1. ETS TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test PDF
- 2. ETS TOEFL iBT Full-Length Practice Test 1 PDF
- 3. ETS Preparing Students Full-Length Practice Tests 1 and 2 PDFs Plus Audio
- 4. ETS TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Sets PDF
- 5. ETS TOEFL iBT Speaking Practice Questions PDF
- 6. ETS TOEFL iBT Writing Practice Sets PDF
- 7. ETS TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner PDF
- 8. ETS Preparing Students Teacher Practice Tests 1 to 5 PDFs Plus Audio
- 9. TST Prep Complete TOEFL Practice Test PDF
- 10. TST Prep 100 TOEFL Reading Questions PDF
- 10 TOEFL Sample PDFs, Side-by-Side Comparison
- Turn a PDF Into a 2026 Practice Routine
Table of Contents
- 1. ETS TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test PDF
- 2. ETS TOEFL iBT Full-Length Practice Test 1 PDF
- 3. ETS Preparing Students Full-Length Practice Tests 1 and 2 PDFs Plus Audio
- 4. ETS TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Sets PDF
- 5. ETS TOEFL iBT Speaking Practice Questions PDF
- 6. ETS TOEFL iBT Writing Practice Sets PDF
- 7. ETS TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner PDF
- 8. ETS Preparing Students Teacher Practice Tests 1 to 5 PDFs Plus Audio
- 9. TST Prep Complete TOEFL Practice Test PDF
- 10. TST Prep 100 TOEFL Reading Questions PDF
- 10 TOEFL Sample PDFs, Side-by-Side Comparison
- Turn a PDF Into a 2026 Practice Routine
Try it — write one response and have it scored
A real prompt from the question bank, scored by the same automated rater a signed-in learner gets. No account, no card, no email.
Discussion Topic
Taking a Gap Year Before College
This discussion considers the potential benefits and drawbacks of delaying college enrollment.
Professor's Question
Some students choose to take a gap year between high school and college to travel, work, or explore personal interests. Do you think taking a gap year is a wise decision? Why or why not?
No account, no card, no email. One scored response per day. Scores are produced by an automated rater against the ETS rubric and are Reach120 estimates, not official ETS scores.
1. ETS TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test PDF
This is the safest place to start if the goal is to see how an official-style PDF behaves offline. ETS says its sample test uses authentic past questions from all four skills and that the sample experience is self-paced, which makes it useful for timing and layout familiarization, even though ETS also notes the current sample ecosystem includes a shorter full sample and section-specific PDFs rather than one generic file (ETS sample test).
The catch is versioning. ETS's practice materials have been refreshed over time, and the free practice PDF is aligned to the post-July 26, 2023 TOEFL iBT updates, not explicitly to the January 21, 2026 task set in the source brief. That means it's strong for source authority and weaker for current-format fit. Before using it seriously, check whether the task types match the 2026 layout, especially Writing and Speaking.
How to use it without wasting time
Use this PDF as a diagnostic, not as your only study source. If a task looks outdated, still treat the answer key or sample response as a model for organization, then switch to current 2026 drills on Reach120's full mock or sample library.
Practical rule: a PDF can teach format familiarity, but it can't correct a weak response on its own.
Worked example for the current Writing scale.
Original response, Academic Discussion style, about campus clubs:
“I agree that clubs should meet in person at least once a month. Face-to-face meetings make it easier to solve problems quickly and keep members involved. Online chat can help with updates, but it doesn't replace direct discussion when a group is planning an event.”
Why it scores well on the 1–6 band scale. It answers directly, stays on topic, and uses clear support without drifting into filler. The response is also easy to follow, which matters more than trying to sound advanced.
For the next 20 minutes, do three things. Print or open the PDF, time one section only, and mark every question you missed. Then go to Reach120 mock practice and repeat the same section in a current-format environment.
2. ETS TOEFL iBT Full-Length Practice Test 1 PDF
This is the better choice when a learner wants a second official-style run after the free sampler. ETS provides a separate full-length practice test PDF with a unique question set, which makes it valuable for repeatable offline simulation and for learners who want more than one official layout to compare (ETS full-length practice test 1).
Its value is straightforward. It gives another full set of four-section practice in a printable form, so it works well for students who want a second diagnostic after the first ETS file. The limitation is the same one that affects most PDFs, paper usability is not the same as a live test interface, and ETS itself says the practice test is not an exact replica of the actual test.
Where it helps, and where it doesn't
This PDF helps most when the problem is familiarity. If the challenge is reading speed, listening focus, or knowing how long a response should feel, a paper mock can reveal that. If the challenge is score interpretation or response quality, the PDF needs to be paired with a tool that can judge current task behavior.
Compare it with Reach120's TOEFL practice tests. A PDF gives you the test body, while an interactive mock gives you the correction loop. That's the difference between seeing a mistake and fixing it.
Worked example for a current Speaking task.
Original response for a short interview prompt about studying with music:
“I prefer quiet study most of the time because I can focus on details more easily. Music can help during simple tasks, but during reading or writing I need less distraction so I can keep my ideas organized.”
Why it scores well on the 1–6 band scale. The answer is direct, coherent, and paced well for a short spoken response. It also uses simple delivery that a test taker can keep steady under pressure.
Use the next 20 minutes like this. Run one timed section, check the answer key immediately, and write one sentence about the pattern of your errors. Then practice the same task type in Reach120's mock test area so the feedback matches the 2026 band scale.
3. ETS Preparing Students Full-Length Practice Tests 1 and 2 PDFs Plus Audio
This ETS set is the better offline choice when you want a near-complete mock with listening audio. ETS's Preparing Students materials include Practice Test 1 and 2 as downloadable PDFs with matching audio files for Listening, so you can work through more official content and use it for classroom review or solo practice.
The trade-off is usability. The page is built for instructors, so students may need extra time to find the files, and the layout is less straightforward than a student-first sample library. That matters if you are working fast. It also means you should still check task fit before treating the PDFs as a full match for the January 21, 2026 format.
PDF value versus audio value
The PDF gives you item order, section structure, and something you can print and review by hand. The audio gives you the Listening practice needed for an offline run that feels close to test day. Put together, they cover more of the exam than a reading-only or speaking-only file, but they still do not provide score feedback.
Original Listening example.
A short campus announcement might say a library room is closed for cleaning and reopen tomorrow morning. A strong response would identify the main purpose first, then the key detail about reopening.
Why that performs well on the 1–6 band scale. It captures the purpose, keeps details accurate, and avoids adding unsupported information. That is the kind of control the current Listening section rewards.
A practical 20-minute routine looks like this. Download one PDF and one audio file, play only one listening set, and write a two-line summary after each passage. Then use Reach120's listening mock to compare how your understanding changes with feedback.
4. ETS TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Sets PDF
This is the most efficient reading-specific PDF if the goal is targeted drill work. ETS provides a consolidated Reading practice set file with multiple passages and question sets, plus timing guidance per set, which makes it a strong printed resource for focused reading work (ETS reading practice sets).
The limitation is scope. It's reading-only, so it won't help with Listening, Speaking, or Writing rhythm. It also reflects the updated TOEFL iBT format notes rather than a guarantee of January 21, 2026 task coverage, so learners should verify whether the task set they're seeing matches the current Complete the Words and passage structure before calling it a full 2026 match.
Best use for reading-first practice
This file is strong when the problem is slow, careless, or passive reading. It works well for paragraph mapping, vocabulary in context, and answer elimination. It's less useful if the problem is adapting to current integrated prep across the whole exam.
Original reading example.
Sentence: “The committee sought to clarify the policy before the semester began.”
A strong answer to a vocabulary-in-context question would recognize that clarify means to make something easier to understand, not to make it more complicated.
Why that fits the 1–6 band scale mindset. Current Reading performance depends on accuracy and control, not memorized tricks. A correct inference from context shows the reader understood the sentence, not just the isolated word.
For the next 20 minutes, work through one passage, underline the words that signal the author's purpose, and rewrite one wrong answer in your own words. Then practice a current reading set at Reach120 reading practice and pair it with Reach120 vocabulary practice.
5. ETS TOEFL iBT Speaking Practice Questions PDF
This ETS PDF is useful for one thing above all, timing. It gives speaking prompts with instructions and response-time guidance, so a learner can rehearse delivery, pacing, and organization offline with a recorder or timer (ETS speaking practice sets).
The problem is format fit. The supplied description does not match the 2026 Speaking tasks named in the brief, Listen and Repeat and Take an Interview. That makes this PDF a cautious, legacy-style speaking drill rather than a perfect 2026 mirror. It can still help with fluency and response structure, but it should not be the only speaking resource in a 2026 routine.
How to turn it into useful practice
Use it to train calm delivery. Record a response, listen back once, and note where the answer gets stuck or repeated. Then move to current task practice in Reach120 speaking practice, where feedback is tied to the updated 2026 band scale.
The best speaking practice is short, repeated, and brutally honest about pauses, repetition, and weak endings.
Original sample response.
Prompt theme, campus clubs.
“I would join a debate club because it helps me organize ideas quickly. It also forces me to listen carefully to other opinions, which makes my own answers stronger in class discussions.”
Why it scores well on the 1–6 band scale. The answer is concise, relevant, and logically ordered. The vocabulary is simple but accurate, and the response stays focused instead of wandering.
Use the next 20 minutes like this. Read one prompt, speak once without stopping, and play it back immediately. Then switch to a current-format speaking drill on Reach120, especially if the weak point is delivery rather than ideas.
6. ETS TOEFL iBT Writing Practice Sets PDF
This is the most useful ETS PDF for learners who want scored examples and a rubric mindset. ETS includes Writing practice sets with sample responses and scoring notes, which helps test takers see what stronger writing looks like and why certain responses earn more credit (ETS writing practice sets).
The limitation is format mismatch. The supplied ETS material includes Integrated and Writing for an Academic Discussion tasks, while the 2026 Writing section in the brief uses Build a Sentence, Write an Email, and Academic Discussion. That means this PDF is valuable for rubric study, but it should be treated carefully when judging current task fit.
What to take from it
Use the sample responses to study organization, sentence clarity, and support. Keep the 2026 task distinctions straight. Write an Email is scored with a 0-5 rubric in the product facts, while official score reports use 1-6 bands, so the safest habit is to practice for current-band clarity and then compare the response with a rubric-aware checker.
Original Writing example.
Email prompt theme, asking a professor for a meeting change.
“Hello Professor Lee, I'm writing because I need to move our meeting from Wednesday to Thursday. I have a class conflict on Wednesday, but I'm still very interested in discussing my project with you. If Thursday afternoon works, I'll be glad to come at any time that is convenient for you.”
Why it scores well. It follows a clear purpose, gives context, and ends with a specific next step. That structure is what keeps an email response organized on the current band scale.
For the next 20 minutes, write one response by hand or keyboard, check it against the sample-response logic, and revise one weak sentence for clarity. Then use Reach120's writing practice and graded sample answers to see how current-feedback works.
7. ETS TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner PDF
This PDF is planning support, not a test. ETS presents it as a structured study planner with weekly guidance, sample items, and strategies, so it works best as a companion to practice materials rather than as a stand-alone sample exam (ETS test prep planner).
That makes it useful for anxious test takers who keep collecting files but never build a routine. It helps turn a stack of PDFs into a schedule, which is often the primary bottleneck. The weakness is obvious: it doesn't give a new test form, and it doesn't replace section practice.
How to adapt it for 2026
Use the planner to assign one task type to each study block. A week might include one reading block, one listening block, one speaking block, and one writing block, then a review session that focuses on mistakes. Keep the routine practical and short enough to repeat.
Original response example, Reading.
A student notices a daily-life announcement about a campus room change and summarizes it in one sentence: “The message says the room is unavailable today and will reopen after cleaning is finished.”
Why it works on the 1–6 band scale. It is accurate, brief, and complete. It doesn't add outside details, which is exactly the kind of control a reading summary needs.
Use the next 20 minutes to fill in the planner with one weak section, choose one sample file to pair with it, and set a fixed review time. For a structured follow-up, Reach120's practice tests can fill the gap between planning and active feedback.
8. ETS Preparing Students Teacher Practice Tests 1 to 5 PDFs Plus Audio
ETS's Teacher Practice Tests 1–5 form the largest official offline set in this list. Each test includes PDFs and downloadable audio, giving tutors and self-studiers material for repeated mock exams, targeted section work, and classroom review.
Coverage spans Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, so the set supports full-test practice rather than isolated drills. The trade-off is usability. These files are designed for instructors, which makes setup less direct for solo learners. They also require a format check before use for the January 21, 2026 exam, especially if you are using them to judge task fit rather than build stamina. Answer support may be limited compared with resources that include detailed explanations, so record why each answer was right or wrong.
Best offline workflow
Use one test for a timed full run, a second for selective section practice, and the remaining files for error review. Store each audio file beside its test PDF and label the folders by section. Keep one notebook for recurring grammar, vocabulary, comprehension, and delivery problems. This separates repeated weaknesses from one-off mistakes.
Original Speaking response.
“I prefer working alone first because I can organize my thoughts without pressure. After I have a clear idea, I'm more comfortable discussing it with a group.”
Why it scores well on the 1–6 band scale. The response is direct, easy to follow, and supported by a clear reason. It avoids extra claims that could weaken delivery.
Use the next 20 minutes to download one test, save its audio in a labeled folder, and complete one timed section. Review the result offline, then enter the same task type in Reach120's Reading, Listening, Speaking, or Writing practice for current-band feedback.
9. TST Prep Complete TOEFL Practice Test PDF
This third-party PDF is useful when a learner wants a clean, printable full test with answer keys and explanations. TST Prep presents it as a complete practice test with sample responses and updated content aimed at current exam trends, which makes it attractive for self-study and tutor-led review (TST Prep complete practice test).
It is not ETS content, so authority is lower than the official PDFs. That does not make it useless. It just means the learner should compare its task behavior against the 2026 format before assuming it matches every section in detail.
What works well here
The answer support is the main draw. A practice test with explanations is easier to learn from than a plain question dump. For someone who keeps missing the same item type, that can save time.
Original writing example.
“The author mainly argues that teamwork is useful when groups divide work clearly. The strongest detail is the example about assigning one person to organize notes and another to present the results.”
Why it fits the 1–6 band scale approach. It states the main idea clearly and supports it with one relevant detail. That's better than a long answer that never gets to the point.
Spend the next 20 minutes reviewing one wrong section, circling the exact reason for the miss, and redoing the same item without looking at the answer. Then use Reach120's full mock test to compare your revision with current feedback.
10. TST Prep 100 TOEFL Reading Questions PDF
This is the best option in the list when the problem is volume. The PDF gives 100 TOEFL-style reading questions, which is useful for repeated pattern recognition, timing work, and drilling question types without switching files (TST Prep 100 TOEFL Reading Questions).
The downside is narrowness. It is reading-only and third-party, so it does not prove current 2026 coverage for Complete the Words or the shorter daily-life passage set. It can still be useful, but only as extra drilling after the learner has checked the actual task structure.
Best use for extra reading volume
This PDF helps when the issue is hesitation. Repetition can make question stems feel more familiar, and that can reduce the time spent second-guessing obvious answers. It is weaker for higher-level diagnosis, because more questions do not automatically reveal why a wrong answer happened.
Original reading example.
“The study found that older tools were replaced because they took too long to use.”
A strong answer to a main-idea question would choose the option that matches the replacement and time-saving idea, not the one that adds unrelated details.
Why it scores well on the 1–6 band scale. Accuracy matters more than speed alone. If the answer matches the paragraph's central point, the reader is on track.
Use the next 20 minutes to answer a small set quickly, review only the missed questions, and sort the misses by question type. Then move to Reach120 reading practice and Reach120 vocabulary support to turn volume into corrected performance.
10 TOEFL Sample PDFs, Side-by-Side Comparison
| Resource | Coverage & 2026 fit | Simulation & tools | Target audience | Key strengths | Limitations & price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ETS, TOEFL iBT Free Practice Test (PDF) | Full 4 sections; official tasks but pre-2026 task description, verify 2026 fit | Printable PDF; answer keys & sample responses; no built-in timing/audio | Learners needing an official offline full mock | Official ETS content; realistic style; free sample responses | Paper format only; not interactive; Free |
| ETS, TOEFL iBT Full‑Length Practice Test 1 (PDF) | Full 4 sections; unique official question set; check 2026 alignment | PDF with answer keys/transcripts; self-timed | Students wanting a second official full mock | High-fidelity official questions; good for repeated sims | Non-interactive PDF; verify task fit; Free |
| ETS, Preparing Students: Full‑Length Practice Tests 1 & 2 (PDFs + audio) | Two full tests with audio; instructor-focused page; confirm 2026 fit | PDFs + downloadable audio → near-complete offline mock | Teachers and learners needing audio-enabled full tests | Official audio plus multiple tests; expands practice volume | Navigation geared to instructors; Free |
| ETS, TOEFL iBT Reading Practice Sets (PDF) | Reading-only sets; updated post‑July 26, 2023 (confirm 2026 task types) | Printable sets with timing guidance per passage | Learners focused on reading speed & accuracy | Authentic difficulty; good for timed drills | No Listening/Speaking/Writing; Free |
| ETS, TOEFL iBT Speaking Practice Questions (PDF) | Speaking prompts (independent/integrated); not matching 2026 "Listen & Repeat/Take an Interview" tasks | Prompt list + timing guidance; requires recorder/self-timing | Students practicing spoken responses and timing | Official prompt wording; clear timing guidance | No audio or on-screen prompts; speaking-only; Free |
| ETS, TOEFL iBT Writing Practice Sets (PDF) | Integrated & Academic Discussion tasks; sample responses; 2026 writing tasks differ (Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Academic Discussion) | Scored sample responses and scoring notes; printable | Learners studying rubrics and model answers | Shows rubric expectations; scored examples | Writing-only; check task differences vs 2026; Free |
| ETS, TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner (PDF) | 8‑week study schedule with sample items; planner (not a test); adapt for 2026 tasks | Planner worksheets and routines; not an exam simulator | Students who want structured study plans | Official study plan; progress tracking; printable | Not a mock test; must pair with practice tests; Free |
| ETS, “Preparing Students” Teacher Practice Tests 1–5 (PDFs + audio) | Five full teacher tests + audio; instructor portal; confirm 2026 fit | PDFs + audio downloads → large-volume offline sims | Tutors/classrooms needing many official mocks | Substantial official volume; audio included | Instructor-focused navigation; Free |
| TST Prep, Complete TOEFL Practice Test (PDF) | Third-party full test; sample responses & explanations; verify 2026 fit | Printable full-test PDF with answer key/explanations | Self-study learners and tutors seeking extras | Clear solutions; widely used by tutors; free resource | Not ETS (less authoritative); difficulty may vary; Free (some premium) |
| TST Prep, 100 TOEFL Reading Questions (PDF) | 100 reading questions (high-volume drills); third-party, check 2026 coverage | Single printable file for intensive practice; no audio | Learners needing large-volume reading practice | Great volume for pattern recognition & timing | Reading-only; third-party; may not match ETS exactly; Free |
Turn a PDF Into a 2026 Practice Routine
The best PDF depends on the job. For full-test familiarization, the strongest starting points are the ETS full-length PDFs and the ETS listening-audio sets. For section drills, the Reading, Speaking, and Writing practice sets are more efficient. For planning, the ETS test prep planner is useful. For extra volume, the TST Prep reading file is the simplest add-on.
A practical routine is simple. Start with one diagnostic PDF session, review errors by task, then drill the matching 2026 task in Reach120 and repeat the same section or a full mock. That sequence matters because a PDF shows you what a task looks like, but interactive feedback shows you why your answer fell short.
Reach120 covers all four sections, Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. It gives instant AI feedback scored against the updated ETS rubrics on the 2026 1–6 band scale, and it supports single-task drills, section mocks, and full four-section mocks. It also stays independent, so it is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by ETS.
If a PDF feels outdated, don't force it into the role of a current-format exam. Use it for offline familiarity, then move back to current tasks. That is especially important for Build a Sentence, Write an Email, Academic Discussion, Complete the Words, Choose the Response, and the two new speaking tasks.
FAQ
Is an older TOEFL PDF suitable for the 2026 exam?
Only as a general practice tool. It can help with pacing and reading stamina, but it should be checked against the current task list before anyone treats it as a 2026-format mirror.
How should a PDF response be scored?
Use the updated 1–6 band scale as the main frame, then compare the answer against the task's clarity, completeness, grammar, vocabulary, and organization. For Writing, the most useful check is whether the response fully answers the prompt and stays controlled.
Does PDF practice replace timed computer practice?
No. A PDF is useful for offline review, but it does not reproduce on-screen timing, adaptive behavior, or interactive response conditions.
Which section should come first?
Start with the section that causes the most anxiety. If the issue is speed, begin with Reading. If the issue is speaking confidence, start with Speaking and record short responses first.
For a clean next step, open one current-format task and try it on Reach120's full mock environment before your next study session.
Try one current-format practice run on Reach120 and compare it with the PDF you already printed. It covers all four TOEFL sections, gives feedback on the 2026 band scale, and helps you see where a sample PDF is enough, and where you need more active correction.
Ready to Practice?
Try all 3 TOEFL 2026 writing tasks with instant AI feedback.
TOEFL 2026 Writing
Practice all three 2026 writing tasks
Build a Sentence, Write an Email and Academic Discussion — timed practice scored on the 0–5 rubric with the specific fixes for your response. Build a Sentence is free and unlimited; every account also gets 3 AI-scored writing responses to start, then one more each day, up to 10 in total across Write an Email and Academic Discussion.
See writing practice