ETS and IIEF Introduce TOEFL iBT 2026 Updates in Jakarta

The Educational Testing Service (ETS), a global leader in educational and language assessment, has collaborated with the Indonesian International Education Foundation (IIEF) to host the ‘TOEFL Experience Day’ at The Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Jakarta. This event serves as a significant milestone for educators and stakeholders to understand the major transformations occurring in the world’s academic English proficiency testing.

This interactive forum brought together education counsellors, institutions, and strategic partners to explore the latest relevance of the TOEFL iBT in relation to global communication needs. Amidst the rising trend of Indonesian students pursuing international studies and scholarship programmes, academic English proficiency remains a primary pillar of global academic mobility.

The primary focus of the meeting was the introduction of the 202_6 TOEFL iBT updates. These innovations are designed to align more closely with the increasingly digital and collaborative developments in the educational world. Significant changes include an adaptive test design and a sharper focus on authentic communication skills.

Sidnei De Souza, Executive Director of Global Partnerships and Sales Management at ETS, emphasised that assessments must adapt quickly to the rapid evolution of human communication. “Through the 2026 TOEFL iBT updates, we are providing an assessment experience that reflects how students learn and interact in today’s academic environments,” De Souza stated in Jakarta.

Diana Kartika, Executive Director of IIEF, highlighted that English certification now serves an expanding role in Indonesia. Beyond studying abroad, these certificates have become vital requirements for various domestic scholarship programmes, student exchanges, and professional pathways. “Students today increasingly consider assessments that are flexible and relevant to modern communication needs. IIEF continues to expand cooperation with local partners to ensure TOEFL iBT access is available to students across various regions of Indonesia,” explained Kartika.

Similarly, Chuong Nguyen, Channel Management Director for Southeast Asia at ETS, added that the adaptation of the TOEFL iBT in the Southeast Asian region is crucial. This ensures that assessment standards remain capable of addressing the unique challenges faced by students and educational institutions within the region.