How is the 2026 TOEFL iBT scored?

Every section and the overall test are reported as a band score from 1 to 6, in increments of 0.5, rounded to the nearest whole or half band. The overall band is the average of the four section band scores.

How do TOEFL bands map to CEFR levels?

Band 6 = C2; 5 to 5.5 = C1; 4 to 4.5 = B2; 3 to 3.5 = B1; 2 to 2.5 = A2; 1 to 1.5 = A1. The mapping is the same for each section and for the overall score.

What is a TOEFL band 6 in the old 0-120 score?

For a two-year transition after January 2026, TOEFL reports also show the old scales. On the overall 0 to 120 scale, band 6 corresponds to about 114 and above, band 5 to about 95 and above, and band 4 to about 72 and above.

TOEFL iBT® test · Scoring

TOEFL band scores & CEFR: the 1–6 scale explained

From January 2026, the TOEFL iBT® test is scored on a new 1–6 band scale designed to line up more intuitively with the CEFR (the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages). Here's how the bands work, how they map to CEFR, and how they compare to the old 0–120 scores — then get your predicted band in a free mock.

How the 1–6 band scale works

Each of the four sections — Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking — and the overall test are reported as a band score from 1 to 6.
Bands come in increments of 0.5 (so 4.0, 4.5, 5.0…), rounded to the nearest whole or half band.
Your overall band is the average of your four section bands.

How TOEFL bands map to CEFR levels

The band scale is aligned to the six CEFR levels. The mapping is the same for every section and for the overall score:

Band score	CEFR level	In short
6	C2	Mastery / near-native
5 – 5.5	C1	Advanced / effective operational
4 – 4.5	B2	Upper-intermediate
3 – 3.5	B1	Intermediate
2 – 2.5	A2	Elementary
1 – 1.5	A1	Beginner

Source: ETS's published 2026 TOEFL-to-CEFR mapping. The "in short" column is a plain-language gloss of the CEFR levels.

Comparing to the old 0–120 scores (transition)

For a two-year transition period after January 2026, TOEFL score reports also reference the old scales (0–30 per section, 0–120 overall) so universities can map their existing requirements across. Here is ETS's concordance for the overall score:

Overall band (1–6)	Old overall score (0–120)
6	114+
5.5	107+
5	95+
4.5	86+
4	72+
3.5	58+
3	44+
2.5	34+
2	24+
1.5	12+
1	0+

Source: ETS's published band-to-0–120 concordance. Each row is the lower edge of that band's range on the old scale.

What band should I aim for?

It depends entirely on your target programme, so always check the requirement your university actually lists. As a rough orientation using the concordance above: programmes that used to ask for around TOEFL 80 map to roughly band 4 (B2), and those that asked for around 100 map to roughly band 5 (C1). Many universities are republishing requirements directly on the 1–6 scale.

MyBest scores

Your score report also includes MyBest® scores — the highest score you achieved in each section across any test administration in the last two years. The MyBest overall is the average of those best section scores, so strong sections from different test dates can be combined.

See your predicted band free

Take a full-length practice mock in the 2026 TOEFL iBT® format and get a predicted 1–6 band for each section, with a confidence range. No card required.

Take a free mock → The test format

Avermond Test Prep is an independent preparation service. TOEFL® and MyBest® are registered trademarks of ETS. This product is not endorsed or approved by ETS. Score-scale details reflect ETS's published January-2026 TOEFL iBT test materials and may be subject to minor revision; always confirm requirements with the official test provider and your target institution.