Hyderabad Leads in Higher Education Tests, New TOEFL Changes Announced
Hyderabad: Recent data from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) reveals that Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are at the forefront of India’s higher education testing scene. This information was shared on Tuesday, coinciding with ETS’s plans for a significant update to the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which will take effect globally from January 21, 2026.
Hyderabad stands out, as it represents 48% of TOEFL test-takers from these two states. Other notable cities include Vijayawada at 18%, Visakhapatnam at 16%, Guntur at 10%, and Warangal at 8%.
The United States continues to be the top choice for students from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, with 55% of test-takers aiming for schools there. This preference is notably higher than the national average, where Canada leads in hosting the largest number of Indian students at 16%. Other popular destinations include the United Kingdom at 12% and Australia at 10%, with Germany, Ireland, France, and the UAE collectively attracting another 7%.
Sidnei Rodrigues de Souza, an executive at ETS, noted that these regions have been identified as key markets due to their strong base of test-takers and increasing aspirations for overseas education. He emphasized that ETS is committed to assisting students in their pursuit of global admission opportunities.
Starting in January 2026, the revised TOEFL will see new question formats, a refreshed test structure, and quicker score reporting—results will be available within 72 hours. Additionally, a more convenient at-home testing experience will be introduced, featuring ETS-trained proctors and AI technology for identity verification.
The reading and listening parts of the test will also transition to a multistage adaptive format, where the questions will adjust in difficulty based on the test-taker’s performance. This change is aimed at better reflecting real-world English academic skills. Furthermore, dual score reporting will be implemented, retaining the familiar 0–120 scale while adding a simplified 1–6 band that aligns with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Test centers will also benefit from upgraded audio equipment and increased official preparation resources.
