Why English testing must evolve without losing what matters most
A new era for academic English assessment
Across higher education, the ground is shifting. In 2025, student mobility is being shaped less by geography and more by policy, affordability, and employability outcomes. Visa constraints in major destinations, rising regional competition across Asia, and the emergence of new study hubs such as Ireland, Vietnam, and the UAE have redefined the global education landscape.
At the same time, academic environments themselves are evolving. Students now use English in varied contexts: through traditional lectures, Socratic discussions, online collaboration, and hybrid classrooms connecting peers from across the world. As modes of learning diversify, universities still depend on one constant: valid, research-backed evidence of English proficiency to make high-stakes admissions decisions.
Designing for academic relevance and validity
For decades, the TOEFL iBT has been recognised by universities worldwide as a trusted benchmark for academic English proficiency and its upcoming 2026 update represents a deepening of it. Built on nearly eight decades of research, the transformed TOEFL iBT reflects a holistic understanding of academic communication.
It integrates authentic, technology-enabled tasks that mirror real university scenarios, such as listening to lectures, taking part in discussions, and analysing complex materials, while maintaining the construct validity that institutions have trusted for generations. Each new task is grounded in psychometric rigour and fairness standards that ensure reliability and comparability yet is presented in a way that is intuitive and engaging for today’s learners.
Validity remains central. The evidence collected through test design supports what institutions can confidently claim about a student’s ability to use English in academic settings. As classrooms evolve with new technologies and pedagogical models, the TOEFL iBT continues to measure what matters most: the ability to communicate effectively in academic English across diverse learning environments.
Technology serving rigour
As AI and digital delivery reshape assessment, the key question is not only what technology can do but what it should do. TOEFL’s evolution applies advanced adaptive testing methodologies, specifically multi-stage testing, to balance precision with efficiency. This design adjusts sections based on student responses, collecting more meaningful data without extending test time.
As AI and digital delivery reshape assessment, the key question is not only what technology can do but what it should do
The result is an experience that feels more personalised and less stressful yet produces highly reliable results that admissions teams can interpret with confidence. This approach reflects ETS’s broader philosophy that technology should enhance fairness and validity, never replace them. While speed and convenience are essential, they must never come at the expense of measurement accuracy or predictive power.
Why validity is critical
As universities face growing pressure to expand access and diversify student populations, the role of valid English assessment has never been more crucial. An invalid or overly simplified test risks more than poor placement; it can jeopardise student success, institutional integrity, and academic outcomes. ETS’s research-driven development process ensures that the updated TOEFL iBT continues to measure the same core construct of academic English proficiency while expanding how students demonstrate their skills.
Every task is reviewed by external experts, analysed through pilot studies, and validated through ongoing psychometric research. That evidence-based process is what allows ETS to innovate responsibly. It makes TOEFL scores both comparable across contexts and predictive of real academic performance; qualities that remain essential as universities seek to balance inclusivity with excellence.
Looking forward: meeting students where they are
The future of academic English assessment will be defined by how effectively it reflects the realities of modern learning. Students today are hybrid learners, global citizens, and digital natives. They expect assessments that are transparent, accessible, and relevant to the way they study and communicate. The enhanced TOEFL iBT is designed precisely for that world, preserving the rigor universities rely on while meeting students where they are: online, in classrooms, and across the globe.
Ultimately, the story of TOEFL’s evolution is one of trust: ensuring that innovation never outpaces integrity and that every advancement in test design strengthens the connection between evidence and opportunity. As English testing evolves, one principle remains constant: universities and students alike deserve an assessment that is fair, valid, and grounded in research.
Author bio: Dr Karen Barton is vice president of assessment operations at ETS. She oversees the development and administration of ETS’s global assessment portfolio, including TOEFL®, bringing decades of expertise in large-scale testing, validity research, operational excellence, and innovation to ensure that assessments meet the evolving needs of institutions and learners worldwide. A PhD-trained psychometrician, Dr Barton has dedicated her career to advancing the science of educational measurement and upholding the highest standards of fairness, reliability, and impact in assessment design and delivery
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