For years, a TOEFL score meant a number out of 120. With the updated test launched in January 2026, ETS moved to a 1–6 band scale. If you are applying to universities now, you will likely see both numbers, so it helps to understand what each one means.
The new scale in brief
| What you get | Scale | Steps |
|---|---|---|
| Reading band | 1–6 | 0.5 |
| Listening band | 1–6 | 0.5 |
| Writing band | 1–6 | 0.5 |
| Speaking band | 1–6 | 0.5 |
| Overall band | 1–6 | 0.5 (average of the four, rounded to nearest half band) |
| Comparable score (transition period) | 0–120 | Shown alongside the band score |
How the overall band is calculated
Add the four section bands and divide by four, then round to the nearest half band.
Example: Reading 5.0, Listening 5.5, Writing 4.5, Speaking 4.5. The average is 4.875, which rounds to an overall 5.0.
Because the overall is an average, one weak section pulls the total down, but a strong section can partly offset it. That is different from Canadian immigration tests, where each skill must meet the minimum on its own. Some universities also set minimum section bands, so check both numbers.
TOEFL bands and CEFR
ETS designed the 1–6 scale to line up directly with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which is one reason for the change: a band now carries a readable meaning.
| TOEFL band | CEFR level | In practical terms |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | C2 | Mastery: understands virtually everything |
| 5.0–5.5 | C1 | Advanced: effective in academic and professional settings |
| 4.0–4.5 | B2 | Upper-intermediate: handles most academic tasks with some limitations |
| 3.0–3.5 | B1 | Intermediate: deals with familiar topics |
| 2.0–2.5 | A2 | Elementary |
| 1.0–1.5 | Below A2 | Beginner |
You can compare TOEFL bands with IELTS and PTE Academic through their official CEFR alignments in our score converter.
What happened to the 0–120 score?
The 0–120 total has not vanished overnight. For a transition period running into 2028, ETS shows a comparable 0–120 score on score reports. This exists so that institutions whose published requirements still say, for example, "90 overall" can compare applicants fairly while they update their policies.
Two practical points:
- Look for which scale your program uses. Admissions pages may list a 1–6 band, a 0–120 score, or both.
- Do not rely on unofficial conversion charts. Use ETS's official comparison information, and ask the admissions office if the requirement is unclear.
How each section is scored
The test's structure changed along with the scale, and scoring works differently across the four sections:
- Reading and Listening are adaptive in two stages: your performance in the first stage determines the difficulty of the second. ETS has not published the full scoring and equating model, so treat any unofficial "raw score to band" chart with caution.
- Writing combines a machine-scored task (Build a Sentence) with two written responses: an email and an academic discussion post.
- Speaking has two tasks: Listen and Repeat, and Take an Interview.
For what each task looks like, see our guide to the 2026 TOEFL iBT changes and the TOEFL Writing section guide.
What each band looks like in practice
A band number is easier to use as a target when you know what it means for your English. Using the CEFR descriptions the scale is aligned to:
- Around 4.0–4.5 (B2): you can follow the main ideas of academic texts and lectures on familiar subjects, take part in discussions with some effort, and write clear connected text, though with noticeable errors and limited precision.
- Around 5.0–5.5 (C1): you can understand long, demanding texts and implicit meaning, speak fluently without obvious searching for words, and write well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects.
- 6.0 (C2): you understand virtually everything you hear or read and can express yourself spontaneously and precisely, even in complex situations.
If a program asks for a C1-level score, it is asking for more than "good English": it expects you to handle implied meaning, academic vocabulary and extended argument comfortably.
Worked examples: section profiles
The same overall band can hide very different profiles. Compare three candidates:
| Candidate | Reading | Listening | Writing | Speaking | Average | Overall |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| B | 6.0 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| C | 5.5 | 5.5 | 4.5 | 4.5 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
All three have an overall 5.0. If a program requires 5.0 overall with at least 4.5 in each section, Candidates A and C qualify, while Candidate B does not, because Speaking is 4.0. This is why it pays to read the full requirement, not just the headline number.
If you took TOEFL before January 2026
Many applicants now hold a score from the older test, reported on the 0–120 scale with 0–30 per section. Whether that score is still accepted depends on two things: TOEFL scores are generally reported as valid for two years, and each institution decides which scores it accepts. If your older score is still within its validity period, ask the admissions office whether it is accepted and how it is compared with the new scale.
Setting your target band
- Find the exact requirement for every program you are applying to, including any section minimums.
- Convert to one scale using official information only, so you can compare programs.
- Add a margin. If the requirement is 5.0 overall, aim for consistent 5.0–5.5 results in practice before booking.
- Check section weaknesses. A 5.0 overall with a 3.5 in Speaking may fail a program that requires 4.0 in each section.
How to raise your weakest section band
Because the overall band is an average, raising your weakest section is usually the most efficient path to a higher overall. Some targeted approaches for each section:
- Reading: build vocabulary and spelling for Complete the Words, and practise reading short daily-life texts quickly for specific details.
- Listening: train with short, natural recordings, since most items are brief. Focus on implied meaning and on the speaker's purpose, not only facts.
- Writing: practise the email and academic discussion tasks with a strict timer, and get feedback on whether you covered every point and developed your ideas.
- Speaking: practise Listen and Repeat for accurate short-term memory, and practise answering interview questions for the full 45 seconds with a clear point and an example.
Retest with a full timed practice test after two or three weeks of targeted work, and compare section by section.
Practice results are estimates
No practice platform can issue an official TOEFL score, and any estimated band should be read as a guide to your readiness rather than a prediction. What practice can do is show you which section and which task type is holding your average down.
EnglishHub's TOEFL iBT simulator follows the updated 2026 format, with 50 full mock tests, 200 practice sets and AI feedback on writing and speaking responses. Your first mock is free: start a TOEFL mock test, or explore the TOEFL practice hub.
EnglishHub is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by ETS. TOEFL and TOEFL iBT are trademarks of ETS. Always confirm score information on the official ETS website.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good TOEFL score on the 1–6 scale?
It depends on your target institution. As a reference, 5.0–5.5 aligns with CEFR C1 and 4.0–4.5 with B2. Check the published requirement for your program, which may be listed on the 1–6 scale, the 0–120 scale, or both.
Is TOEFL still scored out of 120?
The main score is now the 1–6 band scale, used since 21 January 2026. During a transition period running into 2028, ETS also shows a comparable 0–120 total so institutions can compare with older requirements.
How is the TOEFL overall band calculated?
Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking) receives a band from 1 to 6 in half-point steps. The overall band is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half band.
Can I convert my old TOEFL score to the new scale?
ETS publishes official comparison information. Use that rather than third-party charts, and check how your target institution treats scores from before and after January 2026.
