The short answer
- Since 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT scores are reported on a 1–6 scale in half-point steps, aligned to CEFR levels. Score reports also show a comparable 0–120 score until January 2028.
- Reading and Listening now adapt to how you’re doing. ETS says to allow about two hours, and there are no scheduled breaks.
- Scores reach your ETS account about 3 days after the test and are valid for 2 years.
- As of October 2026, ETS India lists the test at ₹15,729, taxes included.
- TOEFL isn’t on the UK Home Office’s list of approved visa tests (SELTs), and Canada doesn’t accept it for the post-graduation work permit. It works well for US admissions and for UK and Canadian universities that accept it.
What changed in January 2026
ETS announced the redesign in May 2025, and the new test launched on 21 January 2026. Four things changed:
- A new score scale. Each section is scored from 1 to 6 in half-point steps. Your overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band.
- Adaptive Reading and Listening. Both are two-stage adaptive tests: how you do in the first stage decides which second stage you get. Writing and Speaking are the same for everyone.
- New task types, listed in the table below.
- A transition period. Until January 2028, score reports also show a comparable score on the old 0–120 scale. That helps while universities still quote requirements like “90 overall”.
The sections in the new test
| Section | Task types | Items | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | Complete the Words · Read in Daily Life · Read an Academic Passage | About 50 | About 30 min |
| Listening | Listen and Choose a Response · Conversation · Announcement · Academic Talk | About 47 | About 29 min |
| Writing | Build a Sentence · Write an Email · Write for an Academic Discussion | 12 | About 23 min |
| Speaking | Listen and Repeat · Take an Interview | 11 | About 8 min |
ETS says to allow approximately two hours in total, because test time and the number of items can vary as the test adapts.
Reading your score on the new scale
ETS aligned the 1–6 scale to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), which many universities already use to describe English levels:
| TOEFL iBT band | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| 6 | C2 |
| 5 – 5.5 | C1 |
| 4 – 4.5 | B2 |
| 3 – 3.5 | B1 |
| 2 – 2.5 | A2 |
| 1 – 1.5 | A1 |
If a course page still quotes a 0–120 score, use the comparable score on your report until January 2028. If it quotes a 1–6 band, compare section by section, because some programs set minimums for each skill.
MyBest scores are still included on every score report. For tests taken on the new scale, ETS converts older 0–120 scores to the 1–6 scale.
Where TOEFL is accepted
| Destination | Admission | Visa and work rules |
|---|---|---|
| USA | ETS says TOEFL is accepted by more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries, including all universities in the US. Each sets its own minimum. | No set government test. The consular officer must be satisfied your English is good enough for your course. |
| UK | For degree-level courses, the university assesses your English (at least CEFR B2) and decides which tests it accepts | TOEFL is not an approved SELT, so it can’t be used where the Home Office requires one, such as most courses below degree level |
| Canada | Each college or university sets its own English requirement for admission and the study permit | Not accepted for the post-graduation work permit (PGWP) or Express Entry |
Canada’s Student Direct Stream, which had its own test rules, closed on 8 November 2024. For a study permit today, your school’s requirement is what matters. If you hope to work in Canada after graduating, plan for a second test: IRCC accepts only CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training, PTE Core, TEF Canada and TCF Canada for the PGWP.
Booking TOEFL in India: fees and deadlines
ETS India lists these fees in rupees and says they include taxes. The page doesn’t give an effective date, so check it when you book.
| Item | Fee (ETS India, October 2026) |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT registration | ₹15,729 |
| Late (express) registration | ₹3,305.08 extra |
| Rescheduling | ₹5,000 |
| Each additional score report | ₹2,000 |
| Speaking or Writing score review | ₹6,694.92 |
| Reinstating cancelled scores | ₹1,652.54 |
Deadlines from the 2026–27 India bulletin:
- Regular registration closes 7 days before the test, and late registration 2 days before.
- To reschedule, you must do it at least 4 full days before your test date.
- There’s no limit on retakes, but you can’t test again within 3 days of a previous test.
You can take the test at a centre or as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, on your own computer with a live human proctor. In India, a passport is the only primary ID accepted for the Home Edition, so make sure yours is valid before you book.
Results and validity
ETS says scores appear in your ETS account 3 days after your test. They’re valid for 2 years from the test date, so a test taken in late 2026 covers applications and visa interviews well into 2028.
Is TOEFL the right test for you?
TOEFL is a strong choice if most of your applications are in the US, or if your UK and Canadian universities list it. It’s a weaker fit if you need a UK SELT, or if you want one test that also covers a Canadian work permit later.
Compare it with IELTS and PTE Academic. If you’re applying for a US Master’s, also read our GRE vs GMAT guide and the study in the USA overview. To find programs, browse US programs in our course finder.
Sources
- ETS India, Understanding your TOEFL iBT scores (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS, TOEFL iBT test content (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS, TOEFL iBT score scale update (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS, press release on the TOEFL iBT redesign (29 May 2025) (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS, Getting your TOEFL iBT scores (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS, TOEFL iBT score reports FAQ (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS India, TOEFL iBT fees (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS India, TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin 2026–27 (PDF) (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS India, MyBest scores (checked Oct 2026)
- ETS, Why take the TOEFL iBT test (checked Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK, Prove your English language abilities with a SELT (checked Oct 2026)
- GOV.UK, Student visa: knowledge of English (checked Oct 2026)
- IRCC, End of the Student Direct Stream (8 November 2024) (checked Oct 2026)
- IRCC, Prepare to study in Canada (checked Oct 2026)
- IRCC, Post-graduation work permit: get your documents (checked Oct 2026)
- eCFR, 22 CFR 41.61 (student visas) (checked Oct 2026)
