TOEFL basics

Understanding TOEFL 2026 Scoring

Hello dear test-takers! Nutty the Squirrel here!

Before you start collecting TOEFL acorns, it helps to know how the test is scored. 🌰

In this guide, I'll crack open each scoring guide one little acorn at a time, so you'll know exactly what the exam is looking for, and how to earn the highest score possible.

Ready to stash away some knowledge?

Let’s go!

TOEFL Scoring (2026)

The 2026 TOEFL uses a new scoring system. Instead of the old 0–30 scores for each section and 0–120 overall, every section is now scored on a 1–6 band scale.

The four sections—Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing—each receive a band score from 1 to 6. Scores can increase in 0.5 steps (for example, 3.5, 4.0, or 4.5).

To calculate your overall TOEFL score, ETS simply averages your four section scores. For example:

Reading: 4.5
Listening: 5.0
Speaking: 4.0
Writing: 4.5

Average = 4.5

Tip

For the first two years after the new TOEFL is introduced, ETS will also show the equivalent scores from the old TOEFL scale (0–30 and 0–120) on your score report. This helps schools and test takers compare the new scores with the previous scoring system.

🌰 TOEFL Band Scores and CEFR Levels

🌰 Converting New TOEFL Band Scores to the Old TOEFL Scores

Attention

ETS will include both the new band score (1–6) and the equivalent old TOEFL score on score reports for the first two years after the new TOEFL launches. This helps schools and test takers compare the new scoring system with the old one. 🌰

What if I take the test more than once in 2 years?

Your score report will also include your MyBest® Scores. These are the highest Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing scores you have earned during the last two years. ETS combines your best score from each section to calculate a separate MyBest overall band score.

This means ETS gives you two overall scores, not just one:

1. Your normal TOEFL score

This is your score from one test date only.

Example:

Reading: 4.0
Listening: 4.5
Speaking: 3.5
Writing: 4.0

Your overall score is based only on this one test day.

2. MyBest® Score

ETS also looks at all TOEFL tests you took in the last 2 years.

Then they pick your best section scores from different tests and combine them.

Example:

You took TOEFL twice:

Test 1

Reading: 4.0
Listening: 4.5
Speaking: 3.5
Writing: 4.0

Test 2

Reading: 4.5 (better)
Listening: 4.0
Speaking: 4.5 (better)
Writing: 4.0

MyBest score becomes:

Reading: 4.5
Listening: 4.5
Speaking: 4.5
Writing: 4.0

Then ETS averages these best scores to make a higher overall score.

Why ETS does this:

It helps you because maybe:

you were strong in Listening one day
but stronger in Speaking another day

So MyBest lets you show your best English “acorns” from different days combined.

TOEFL Writing and Speaking Scoring Guides

TOEFL Writing Scoring Guides

Both Write an Email and Write for an Academic Discussion are scored on a 0–5 scale. Although the tasks are different, the scoring ideas are very similar. ETS looks at how well you complete the task and how clearly and accurately you use English.

Write an Email

In this task, you write an email about an academic or everyday situation. Your email should answer all the instructions, be well organized, and use an appropriate tone.