The Educational Testing Service (ETS), the organization behind the TOEFL iBT, announced that the new scoring scale will replace the previous 0-120 scale starting 21/1/2026.
ETS states that a test-taker's overall score will be the average of their scores across the four sections, rounded to the nearest half-point. For instance, an average score of 5,125 will result in an overall score of 5, while 5,25 will be rounded up to 5,5.
This new calculation method marks a shift from the previous 0-120 scale, which determined the overall score by summing individual section scores. To assist test-takers and educational institutions, ETS will include equivalent scores on the old 0-120 scale on score reports for the next two years.
The new TOEFL iBT scoring scale is detailed below:
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The new TOEFL iBT scoring scale. Photo: ETS. |
A conversion table for the old and new TOEFL iBT scores is provided below:
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Conversion between old and new scores. Photo: ETS. |
ETS explains that the revised scoring scale simplifies TOEFL score interpretation and aligns more closely with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). This alignment facilitates easier comparison with other English language proficiency certificates, preventing instances where similar skill scores previously corresponded to varying CEFR levels.
The TOEFL iBT evaluates English proficiency across four skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The entire test lasts 116 minutes, with each section varying from 16 to 35 minutes. The reading section comprises 20 questions, and the listening section has 28 questions. For the speaking section, test-takers answer four questions by expressing their opinions and responding to information from reading and listening passages. The writing section includes two questions.
Scores remain valid for two years, and results are typically released three days after the examination. In Vietnam, the TOEFL iBT test fee is 182 USD, equivalent to approximately 4,8 million dong.
Globally, over two million individuals take the TOEFL annually, according to ETS. More than 13.000 educational institutions and organizations across approximately 160 countries and territories accept TOEFL scores. In Vietnam alone, nearly 100 universities utilize TOEFL iBT scores for their admissions processes.
Khanh Linh
