TOEFL 1–6 Score Scale Explained: How to Read Your 2026 Score Report
Your university asks for TOEFL 90—but your 2026 score report says 4.5. Which number should you use?
This is one of the most important questions facing TOEFL candidates in 2026.
On 21 January 2026, TOEFL introduced a new score scale ranging from 1 to 6 in half-point increments. Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing now receive scores such as 4, 4.5, 5 or 5.5.
However, many university admissions pages still display TOEFL requirements using the previous 0–120 scale.
This does not necessarily mean that the university has stopped accepting TOEFL or that your new result is unsuitable. ETS explains that universities are updating their admissions pages and internal systems at different speeds during the transition.
Here is how the new scoring system works and what candidates should do before submitting a university application.
What Changed in the TOEFL Scoring System?
Since 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT section and overall results have been reported on a scale from 1 to 6, using increments of 0.5.
The four assessed sections remain:
- Reading
- Listening
- Speaking
- Writing
The new scale is aligned more directly with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, commonly known as CEFR.
The broad alignment published by ETS is:
| TOEFL score | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| 6 | C2 |
| 5–5.5 | C1 |
| 4–4.5 | B2 |
| 3–3.5 | B1 |
| 2–2.5 | A2 |
| 1–1.5 | A1 |
These levels can help candidates and institutions understand a TOEFL score in relation to internationally recognised descriptions of language proficiency.
However, a CEFR level is not automatically a university admission decision. Every institution and programme can establish its own overall and section requirements.
How Is the New Overall TOEFL Score Calculated?
Under the previous scoring system, four section scores from 0 to 30 were added together to produce a total score out of 120.
Under the new system, each section is scored from 1 to 6. The overall result is calculated by averaging the four section scores and rounding the result to the nearest half band.
TOEFL Score Calculation Example
Imagine a candidate receives:
- Reading: 5
- Listening: 4.5
- Speaking: 4
- Writing: 4.5
The calculation would be:
5 + 4.5 + 4 + 4.5 = 18
18 ÷ 4 = 4.5
The candidate’s overall TOEFL result would therefore be 4.5.
This calculation also shows why every section matters.
A strong Reading result may not completely compensate for a much weaker Speaking or Writing result, particularly when a university sets both an overall requirement and minimum section scores.
Why Do Some Universities Still Ask for TOEFL 80, 90 or 100?
Updating an international admissions system takes time.
During the transition, one university may show its requirement on the new 1–6 scale, another may continue showing a score out of 120, and a third may display both formats.
ETS says that this difference is expected. It does not, by itself, mean that TOEFL acceptance has changed.
ETS currently recommends the following new requirements for several commonly used old-scale thresholds:
| Previous requirement | Recommended new requirement |
|---|---|
| TOEFL 100 | TOEFL 5 |
| TOEFL 90 | TOEFL 4.5 |
| TOEFL 80 | TOEFL 4 |
| TOEFL 70 | TOEFL 3.5 |
These are ETS recommendations for institutions establishing requirements.
Candidates should not use this table to override the published admissions policy of a particular university or programme. Always confirm the exact requirement with the institution receiving your result.
Will My TOEFL Score Report Show Both Scales?
Yes, during the current transition period.
ETS states that through January 2028, test takers will receive:
- Section and total results on the new 1–6 scale
- A comparable estimate of the overall score on the previous 0–120 scale
- The relevant CEFR level
This means candidates do not need to create their own unofficial conversion before sending an official score report.
If a university continues to list a requirement such as TOEFL 90, follow its application instructions and submit the official TOEFL report normally. The receiving institution will be able to view the score information supplied by ETS.
Is There an Exact TOEFL 1–6 to 120 Conversion?
Not in the simple sense of one new score always representing one exact old score.
A score such as 5 on the new scale corresponds to a range of possible results on the previous scale. Different combinations of Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing scores can produce similar overall results.
This is why candidates should be careful with online “exact conversion calculators” that display a single number without explaining the relevant score range or differences between sections.
Use your official score report and ETS comparison guidance instead of guessing.
What Should You Check Before Applying to a University?
1. Check the Specific Programme Page
Do not rely only on a university’s general international-admissions page.
Individual faculties and programmes may establish different overall and section requirements. A postgraduate programme may also require a different result from an undergraduate course at the same university.
2. Identify Which Score Scale Is Displayed
Look carefully for wording such as:
- TOEFL iBT 90
- TOEFL 4.5
- TOEFL 4.5 overall with no section below 4
- CEFR B2
- CEFR C1
These requirements are not automatically interchangeable unless the receiving institution says so.
3. Check Minimum Section Scores
A programme may require a particular overall score while also setting minimum Reading, Listening, Speaking or Writing results.
This can be especially important for programmes involving substantial academic writing, presentations, patient communication or other professional responsibilities.
4. Confirm Unclear Information
If the university page has not been updated or displays conflicting requirements, contact its admissions office.
Include:
- The complete programme name
- Your intended intake
- Your application route
- The date on which you took or plan to take TOEFL
- The score format shown on your report
Request written confirmation of the requirement whenever possible.
5. Submit the Official Score Report
ETS advises candidates to continue submitting official TOEFL results according to the institution’s normal instructions.
You do not need to replace your official result with a conversion calculated by you or an unofficial website.
Does TOEFL Set a Universal Passing Score?
No.
ETS does not establish one universal passing or failing TOEFL score. Universities, employers, licensing organisations and other receiving institutions determine their own requirements.
Your target should therefore come from the official page of the institution and programme to which you are applying—not from a general claim that one particular TOEFL result is enough for everyone.
How Should the New Score Scale Change Your Preparation?
The new scale does not remove the need to prepare all four English skills.
Begin by identifying the result required by your chosen programme. Then measure your current Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing performance separately.
If your target is 4.5 overall but your practice Speaking performance remains near 3.5, repeatedly completing only Reading questions will not address your most important weakness.
A useful TOEFL preparation cycle is:
- Complete a timed diagnostic test.
- Record your result for every section.
- Identify your weakest skill or task type.
- Practise that weakness under realistic timing.
- Review specific feedback.
- Repeat the difficult task.
- Take another timed test and compare your performance.
A practice estimate should always be treated as preparation guidance rather than an official TOEFL result.
Its purpose is to help you understand where your preparation needs attention before you pay for and sit the actual examination.
When Will You Receive Your TOEFL Results?
According to current ETS guidance, TOEFL scores are generally available in a candidate’s ETS account three days after the test date.
ETS also states that TOEFL results remain valid for two years. Candidates should plan their test date carefully so their scores remain valid throughout the relevant application process.
Processing and delivery times for institutions can vary depending on how the receiving organisation obtains the result.
Always allow sufficient time before an application deadline.
Practise for the TOEFL Test Used in 2026
AlmiTOEFL is designed around the current TOEFL format, including the 1–6 score scale and practice across Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.
Candidates can work on individual sections or complete full timed mock-test practice, then use honest feedback to identify the areas requiring further improvement.
AlmiWorld does not promise a guaranteed TOEFL result. It provides an affordable environment in which candidates can practise consistently and understand their current performance before test day.
Start with a 7-day free trial. Continue for US$12 per month and cancel anytime.
Prepare for the current test format, measure every skill and submit your university application using verified score information.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the new TOEFL score scale in 2026?
TOEFL iBT uses a score scale from 1 to 6 in increments of 0.5 for the four sections and overall result. The scale took effect on 21 January 2026.
How is the overall TOEFL 1–6 score calculated?
The four section scores are averaged, and the result is rounded to the nearest half band.
What does TOEFL 4.5 mean?
According to the ETS alignment, a TOEFL score of 4.5 corresponds to CEFR level B2. A university may still establish its own overall and section requirements.
What is TOEFL 90 on the new scale?
ETS recommends 4.5 as the new requirement for institutions that previously required TOEFL 90. Candidates should still follow the exact requirement published by their chosen institution.
What is TOEFL 100 on the new scale?
ETS recommends a new requirement of 5 for institutions that previously required TOEFL 100. The receiving institution’s published policy remains the requirement candidates should follow.
Why does my university still show a TOEFL score out of 120?
Universities are updating their admissions systems at different speeds. A remaining 0–120 requirement does not automatically mean the new TOEFL result is unacceptable.
Do I need to convert my TOEFL score myself?
No. ETS says official reports will include the new 1–6 results and a comparable estimated overall 0–120 score through January 2028.
Does TOEFL have a universal passing score?
No. ETS does not set one universal passing score. Each university, programme or receiving organisation determines its own requirement.
How long are TOEFL scores valid?
ETS states that TOEFL scores remain valid for two years after the test date.
Start Preparing with AlmiTOEFL
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Practise Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing on the current TOEFL format with AlmiTOEFL.
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Official Research Sources
Understanding TOEFL iBT Score Displays in 2026:
https://www.ets.org/toefl/blog/understanding-toefl-ibt-score-displays.html
Official TOEFL Score Scale Update:
https://www.ets.org/toefl/china/toefl/score-scale-update.html
Official TOEFL Scores Guide:
https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/understand-scores.html