TOEFL 1–6 Score Scale (2026): 0–120 Conversion and CEFR Levels

What changed on 21 January 2026

Scores: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking each get a 1–6 score in steps of 0.5. The overall is their average rounded to the nearest half band, not their sum as on the 0–120 scale. ETS's examples: an average of 5.125 gives 5, and 5.25 gives 5.5 (ETS).

Reports: for two years every report carries the CEFR level, the 1–6 overall and section scores, and a comparable 0–120 overall. That last figure is the midpoint of the matching old range, so a 4.5 comes with 90 (ETS).

The test itself also changed. ETS lists new task types and asks you to allow about two hours, with timing and item counts varying because the test adapts (test content).

Section	Task types	Items	Approx. base time
Reading	Complete the Words; Read in Daily Life; Read an Academic Passage	50	30 min
Listening	Listen and Choose a Response; Listen to a Conversation; Listen to an Announcement; Listen to an Academic Talk	47	29 min
Writing	Build a Sentence; Write an Email; Write for an Academic Discussion	12	23 min
Speaking	Listen and Repeat; Take an Interview	11	8 min

How the old 0–120 scores map to 1–6

This is ETS's comparison for tests taken before 21 January 2026. Old section scores are out of 30, and the total column is the minimum 0–120 total for each band (a 5 covers 95 through 106). ETS recommends that institutions which asked for 100 now ask for 5; 90 becomes 4.5, 80 becomes 4 and 70 becomes 3.5 (ETS). Our TOEFL to IELTS converter uses the same bands.

1–6 score	CEFR	Reading	Listening	Speaking	Writing	0–120 total
6	C2	29–30	28–30	28–30	29–30	114+
5.5	C1	27–28	26–27	27	27–28	107+
5	C1	24–26	22–25	25–26	24–26	95+
4.5	B2	22–23	20–21	23–24	21–23	86+
4	B2	18–21	17–19	20–22	17–20	72+
3.5	B1	12–17	13–16	18–19	15–16	58+
3	B1	6–11	9–12	16–17	13–14	44+
2.5	A2	4–5	6–8	13–15	11–12	34+
2	A2	3	4–5	10–12	7–10	24+
1.5	A1	2	2–3	5–9	3–6	12+
1	A1	0–1	0–1	0–4	0–2	0+

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TOEFL 1–6 and IELTS

ETS publishes an IELTS comparison for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026, based on its earlier TOEFL–IELTS concordance study plus linking research. Its totals are rounded up to the next half band to reduce false positives. Overall: IELTS 9, 8.5 and 8 all sit at TOEFL 6; IELTS 7.5 is 5.5; 7.0 is 5; 6.5 is 4.5; 6.0 is 4; 5.5 is 3.5; 5.0 is 2.5; 4.5 is 2; and 4.0 is 1.5 (ETS). ETS has not run a concordance with the Duolingo English Test and suggests choosing by CEFR level instead.

How long the old scale stays around

ETS will print the comparable 0–120 score on reports for a two-year transition after January 2026, which runs to about January 2028. Old-scale results stay valid for two years from the test date, so ETS expects universities to see a few of them until late 2027. A report for a new-scale test converts older 0–120 MyBest scores into 1–6; a report for an old-scale test shows only 0–120 (ETS).

Institutions are updating their requirements at different times. ETS says you do not need to convert anything: send the official report, which carries both formats. One exception matters for migration. The TOEFL iBT bulletin notes that only tests taken before 21 January 2026, and TOEFL iBT Australia, are currently approved for Australian visas.

Frequently asked questions

What is a TOEFL 5 in the old score?+

A total of 95 to 106 on the 0–120 scale, which ETS places at CEFR C1.

Is TOEFL 100 equal to 5 or 5.5?+

100 falls in the 5 band (95–106). ETS recommends that institutions that required 100 now require 5.

What IELTS score is TOEFL 4.5?+

ETS's table puts IELTS 6.5 overall at TOEFL 4.5.

Do I need to convert my new TOEFL score for a university that still lists 0–120?+

No. For two years your report also shows a comparable 0–120 score, so the university can read either.

Is the new TOEFL accepted for Australian visas?+

The ETS bulletin says only tests taken before 21 January 2026, and TOEFL iBT Australia, are currently approved for Australian visa purposes.

Keep reading

Verified against the linked official sources on 4 October 2026. Rules change: confirm on the official page before you book or apply.

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