TOEFL iBT Score Guide: New 1–6 Scale, Score Chart, Sample Report & Validity

Whether you are applying to universities in the USA, UK, Canada or Australia, you need to understand how your TOEFL score works, what your score report shows and how long your scores stay valid. Since 21 January 2026, the TOEFL iBT has been shorter and uses a new 1–6 score scale, so many older score guides are now out of date.

This guide explains the current TOEFL iBT scoring system, how the new scale compares with the old 0–120 scores, what a score report looks like, how long scores are valid and what score you need for admission.

The TOEFL iBT has four sections. Each section is scored on a 1–6 scale in half-point steps, and your overall score is the average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half point. For example, section scores averaging 5.25 give an overall score of 5.5.

Reading and Listening are multistage adaptive: the difficulty of later questions adjusts to how you perform, so the exact number of questions and timing can vary slightly between test takers.

ETS also shows MyBest Scores on your score report. These combine your highest score in each section from all valid TOEFL iBT tests taken in the last 2 years. Many universities accept MyBest Scores, which can give you a stronger overall result than any single test.

Many universities still publish their TOEFL requirements on the old 0–120 scale. Use this ETS comparison chart to see where an older score sits on the new scale.

Source: ETS TOEFL iBT score comparison tables and CEFR alignment.

There is no pass or fail score. Each university sets its own requirement, often with minimum section scores as well as an overall score. As a general guide:

Your TOEFL iBT score report shows your personal details, test date, a 1–6 score for each section, your overall score, your MyBest Scores and, during the transition period, a comparable 0–120 score.

• Official scores: available in your ETS account within 72 hours of your test. The exact date is shown when you finish the test.
• Unofficial scores: your Reading and Listening scores appear on screen at the end of the test.
• PDF score report: available to download 24–48 hours after your official scores appear. ETS is retiring paper score reports.

Sending your scores to universities

TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years from your test date. After 2 years, ETS no longer reports or sends them, so they cannot be used for new applications.

ETS publishes an official comparison between the new TOEFL scale and IELTS band scores:

Source: ETS comparison of the TOEFL 1–6 scale with IELTS. This is a comparison, not an exact conversion; each university sets its own requirement for each test.

Edwise Foundation offers structured TOEFL iBT preparation in Kathmandu, with section-specific strategies for the new test format and regular full-length mock tests. As Nepal’s oldest AIRC-certified education consultancy (established 2005), we also support you from test preparation through university selection, applications and visa processing. Visit our TOEFL classes in Kathmandu page for more details.