TOEFL Score Converter 2026

How do I convert TOEFL section scores (0-30) to the new 1-6 scale?

Section scores convert differently for each section. Reading 28 maps to 5.5, but Listening 28 maps to 6.0. This asymmetry reflects ETS's psychometric calibration of each section. Use the tabs below to see the exact conversion for each section.

Source: ETS official TOEFL iBT Score Scale Update documentation. Section conversion tables verified June 2026.

Why does my TOEFL score report show a single 0-120 number even though my band maps to a range?

During the 2026-2028 dual-reporting transition period, ETS includes a "comparable" 0-120 score on every score report alongside your new 1-6 band. This comparable score is the midpoint of the old-scale range that corresponds to your band. It is not the bottom or top of the range.

For example, band 4.5 corresponds to the old score range of 86 to 94. The midpoint of that range is 90. So your score report will show a comparable score of approximately 90. This helps institutions that still publish old-scale minimums evaluate your result during the transition.

It is important to understand that the comparable score is an approximation, not an exact translation. Two students with the same band of 4.5 will both see a comparable score near 90, even if one was at the stronger end and the other at the weaker end of that band.

What does each TOEFL band actually mean in terms of English ability (CEFR descriptors)?

ETS aligns the new TOEFL scale to CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), the international standard used by universities and employers worldwide. Each TOEFL band maps to a specific CEFR level.

For ETS's full performance descriptors by skill area, see the ETS Score Scale Update documentation.

What is the TOEFL dual-reporting period and how does it affect me?

ETS announced that a dual-reporting period runs from January 2026 through January 2028. During this two-year window, every TOEFL iBT score report includes three components: your CEFR level, your new 1-6 overall and section scores, and a comparable 0-120 overall score calculated from the midpoint of the equivalent range.

The dual-reporting period exists because universities need time to update their published admissions requirements from the old scale to the new scale. During this window, admissions officers can evaluate applicants using whichever scale their institution has adopted, without requiring test-takers to perform any manual conversion.

As a test-taker in 2026, this means your score report works for every university regardless of which scale they currently list. You do not need to convert your score or explain the format change in your application. The report does that automatically.

After January 2028, ETS plans to stop including the comparable 0-120 score. Source: ETS Score Scale Update. From that point forward, score reports will show only the new 1-6 band scores and CEFR levels. Institutions are expected to have updated their requirements to the new scale by then.

Common university TOEFL score requirements

Universities are updating their published requirements during the 2026-2028 transition. Many still list 0-120 minimums. ETS recommends this standard mapping for institutions converting their requirements:

• Old 100 → New 5.0
• Old 90 → New 4.5
• Old 80 → New 4.0
• Old 70 → New 3.5

Source: ETS recommended conversion. Verify directly with each institution before applying. Requirements may change during the 2026-2028 transition period. Many universities accept both formats during the transition.

How do new TOEFL band scores compare to IELTS scores?

ETS publishes an official TOEFL-to-IELTS comparison based on their concordance research. This table shows the approximate equivalence between IELTS scores and the new TOEFL 1-6 band scores, broken down by section.

Source: ETS official TOEFL-to-IELTS comparison.

What are the most common TOEFL score conversion mistakes?

What should I do if my TOEFL score is just below my target university's requirement?

First, check whether your university accepts MyBest scores. TOEFL MyBest combines your highest section scores from all valid tests taken within the past two years, and it is reported on the new 1-6 scale. If your overall band is 4.5 but your best individual section scores from different test dates average to 5.0, your MyBest score may meet the requirement.

Second, check the retake policy. You can retake the TOEFL as early as three days after your previous test. If you are within 0.5 bands of your target, targeted practice on your weakest section can often close the gap in one to two weeks. The PrepDrills TOEFL app provides Eppy AI feedback on every Writing and Speaking response, so you can practice the exact task types that are dragging your score down.

Third, some universities offer conditional admission for students whose TOEFL score is slightly below the minimum. This may involve taking an English proficiency course during your first semester. Contact the admissions office directly to ask about conditional pathways.

If your score is consistently 1.0+ bands below your target despite multiple retakes, consider working with a certified TOEFL teacher. Epic Exam Prep specializes in identifying the specific patterns (phonetic interference, syntactic transfer errors, organizational weaknesses) that hold students at particular band levels and building targeted strategies to break through them.

Frequently asked questions about TOEFL score conversion

Score conversion based on official ETS documentation at ets.org/toefl/toefl/score-scale-update.html. University requirements are approximate. Always verify directly on your target institution's official admissions page.