What is the TOEFL Take an Interview task?

It is a Speaking task in the 2026 TOEFL iBT. You take part in a simulated conversation with a pre-recorded interviewer — for example applying for a scholarship or joining a research study — and answer four questions describing your experiences and opinions. You have 45 seconds for each question.

How many questions are in Take an Interview?

Four questions, making up 4 of the 11 items in the Speaking section. Early questions focus on factual information and personal experience; later questions ask you to express and support opinions. It is AI-scored at CEFR levels A1 to C2.

How is Take an Interview scored?

It is AI-scored on how fully and clearly you develop each answer, whether you keep a natural, steady pace, how clear your pronunciation, rhythm and intonation are, and how accurately and variedly you use grammar and vocabulary.

TOEFL iBT® · Speaking · 2026

TOEFL Take an Interview: how the task works

Take an Interview is one of the two Speaking task types in the 2026 TOEFL iBT® test. It measures how well you communicate your experiences and opinions in a simulated conversation. Here's the format, a worked example and tips — then try it in a free full-length mock.

What the task is

You take part in a simulated conversation with a pre-recorded interviewer. The interview is set in a situation such as applying for a scholarship or taking part in a research study. You answer four questions related to the topic, describing your experiences and opinions, with 45 seconds to answer each question.

The questions build: the first ones ask about facts and your own experience, while the later ones ask you to give and back up an opinion on a broader issue.

A worked example

This is our own illustration of the format (not an official test item). Picture the setup: you've joined a short study about students' study habits, and an interviewer asks you a few questions about it.

The interviewer asks (you have 45 seconds each):

Think about a place where you often study. Where is it, and why do you choose it?
Tell me about a study habit that has worked well for you, and one that hasn't.
Some students prefer to study in groups, while others prefer to study alone. Which do you think is more effective, and why?
Do you think schools should teach students how to study, rather than leaving it to them to work out? Why or why not?

Notice the progression: questions 1–2 draw on your own experience, while 3–4 ask you to take and defend a position. Strong answers give a clear response with reasons and a specific example, spoken at a natural pace.

How many items, and how it's scored

4 questions — Take an Interview makes up 4 of the 11 items in the Speaking section.
45 seconds to answer each question.
AI-scored on how fully and clearly you develop each answer, a natural and steady speaking pace, clear pronunciation with natural rhythm and intonation, and accurate, varied grammar and vocabulary. CEFR A1–C2.
It sits in the Speaking section — the fourth and final section, linear (not adaptive), about 8 minutes.

How to prepare

Answer the question directly first, then add a reason and a specific example — that's the shape of a strong 45-second answer.
Use your own experience. Early questions are personal; a real detail is easier to speak about fluently than an invented one.
Have an opinion ready. Later questions want a clear position and support, not a "both sides" hedge.
Keep a natural, steady pace — rhythm and intonation are part of the score, so don't rush or read a memorised script.
Practise 45-second answers out loud to common opinion prompts so the length feels natural.
Practise under timing. A free full-length mock includes Speaking in the 2026 format.

Practise Take an Interview free

Take a full-length practice mock built to the 2026 TOEFL iBT® format — including Speaking — and get a predicted 1–6 band. No card required.

Take a free mock → The Speaking section

Avermond Test Prep is an independent preparation service. TOEFL® is a registered trademark of ETS. This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS. Task descriptions and item counts reflect ETS's published January-2026 TOEFL iBT test specifications and may be subject to minor revision before launch.