TOEFL for US universities: the 1–6 scale, typical requirements and waivers
Since 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT reports every section and the total on a 1–6 scale in half bands. Admissions pages are catching up at different speeds: some print both scales, some still print only a 0–120 figure. This page puts ETS’s own tables in one place, so you can read either kind of requirement, and explains how exemptions usually work.
On this page
The 1–6 scale and the CEFR
ETS aligns every band to a CEFR level, and the alignment is the same for the total and for each section: a 5 in any section is C1 for that skill. The overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band.
| Band (total and each section) | CEFR level |
|---|---|
| 6 | C2 |
| 5.5 | C1 |
| 5 | C1 |
| 4.5 | B2 |
| 4 | B2 |
| 3.5 | B1 |
| 3 | B1 |
| 2.5 | A2 |
| 2 | A2 |
| 1.5 | A1 |
| 1 | A1 |
Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT score scale update, checked 2026-09-28.
Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT test content, checked 2026-09-28.
From 0–120 to 1–6
ETS’s comparison for tests taken before 21 January 2026, section ranges out of 30 and the total out of 120, reproduced as published. For two years, score reports also print a comparable 0–120 total, which ETS sets at the midpoint of the matching range — a 4.5, for example, comes with a 90.
| 1–6 | Reading | Listening | Writing | Speaking | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | 29–30 | 28–30 | 29–30 | 28–30 | 114+ |
| 5.5 | 27–28 | 26–27 | 27–28 | 27 | 107+ |
| 5 | 24–26 | 22–25 | 24–26 | 25–26 | 95+ |
| 4.5 | 22–23 | 20–21 | 21–23 | 23–24 | 86+ |
| 4 | 18–21 | 17–19 | 17–20 | 20–22 | 72+ |
| 3.5 | 12–17 | 13–16 | 15–16 | 18–19 | 58+ |
| 3 | 6–11 | 9–12 | 13–14 | 16–17 | 44+ |
| 2.5 | 4–5 | 6–8 | 11–12 | 13–15 | 34+ |
| 2 | 3 | 4–5 | 7–10 | 10–12 | 24+ |
| 1.5 | 2 | 2–3 | 3–6 | 5–9 | 12+ |
| 1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–2 | 0–4 | 0+ |
ETS notes that a band covers a range: a 5 is equivalent to 95 and up through 106, and a score nearer the middle of a band’s range is the more reliable indicator of the same ability.
Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT score scale update, checked 2026-09-28.
What universities typically ask for
ETS lists the most common overall requirements on the old scale beside the figure it recommends on the new one, and suggests universities set the same figure for the section scores as well.
Two published examples show how a university writes this down. UC Berkeley’s Graduate Division asks, for Fall 2027, for a total of 5 with at least 4.5 in Speaking and Writing on tests from 21 January 2026 (90 on earlier tests), and says departments may ask for more. Stanford’s graduate admissions asks for 4.5 (90 before 21 January 2026) to be considered, and 5.5 (109 before) to skip its English placement test.
Source: ETS, TOEFL iBT score scale update, checked 2026-09-28.
Source: UC Berkeley Graduate Division, Admission requirements, checked 2026-09-28.
Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions, Required exams, checked 2026-09-28.
Waivers: who does not need a TOEFL score
Most US universities do not ask every international applicant for an English test. The grounds for an exemption are each university’s own, but they tend to turn on the same three things: where your earlier degree was taught, in what language, and how long you have studied or worked in English.
- UC Berkeley (graduate). No test for a basic degree from a recognized institution in a country where English is the main language of both daily life and instruction; for a degree from a regionally accredited US institution or a US institution abroad teaching in English; or after at least one year of full-time academic work with grades of B or better at a regionally accredited US institution. English as a Second Language courses do not count.
- Stanford (graduate). No test for US citizens or permanent residents, applicants whose first language is English, holders of a degree from a university where all instruction was in English, or applicants with two or more consecutive years of full-time professional or educational experience in English in the past ten years.
Other rules differ between the two in ways that matter: Berkeley does not accept MyBest scores, while Stanford does; Stanford counts scores as valid for two years. Read your own programme’s page for the exemption list, the test-date window and whether MyBest counts before you book.
Source: UC Berkeley Graduate Division, Admission requirements, checked 2026-09-28.
Source: Stanford Graduate Admissions, Required exams, checked 2026-09-28.
Know your band before you book
A requirement like “5 overall, 4.5 in Speaking and Writing” is failed by one section as often as by the total. A full mock test here reports each section on the 1–6 scale, with Writing and Speaking scored out of five and explained. The band is our estimate, not an ETS score, but it tells you which section to work on first.
Questions
How does the new TOEFL 1–6 score compare with the old 0–120 score?
ETS publishes a comparison table for tests taken before 21 January 2026. On the total, a 6 corresponds to 114 and above, 5.5 to 107+, 5 to 95+, 4.5 to 86+, 4 to 72+, 3.5 to 58+ and 3 to 44+. ETS gives section ranges as well, and says a 5 is equivalent to 95 and up through 106. For two years, score reports also carry a comparable 0–120 total, which is the midpoint of the matching range.
What TOEFL score do US universities usually require?
ETS lists the most common requirements on the old scale and the figure it recommends on the new one: 100 becomes 5, 90 becomes 4.5, 80 becomes 4 and 70 becomes 3.5. It recommends setting the same figure for the section scores too. Each university and programme sets its own minimum, so check the programme's page.
What CEFR level is each TOEFL band?
ETS aligns the 1–6 scale to the CEFR the same way for the total and every section: 6 is C2, 5 and 5.5 are C1, 4 and 4.5 are B2, 3 and 3.5 are B1, 2 and 2.5 are A2, and 1 and 1.5 are A1.
Can I get the TOEFL requirement waived?
Many universities exempt some applicants, but the grounds are the university's own. UC Berkeley's Graduate Division exempts applicants with a degree from a country where English is the main language of daily life and instruction, a degree from a regionally accredited US institution, or at least a year of full-time study with B grades or better at one. Stanford does not require a test from US citizens or permanent residents, native speakers, holders of a degree taught entirely in English, or applicants with two or more consecutive years of full-time professional or educational experience in English in the past ten years.
Do US universities accept TOEFL MyBest scores?
It depends on the university. UC Berkeley's Graduate Division says it does not accept MyBest scores; Stanford's graduate admissions says it does, and passes all reported scores, MyBest included, to the admission committee.
Is an ExamStep TOEFL band an official score?
No. Our practice tests report a band per section on the 1–6 scale so you can compare yourself with a programme's minimum, but that band is our estimate, not an ETS score.
Sources
- ETS, TOEFL iBT score scale update — the 1–6 scale, its CEFR alignment, the comparison with the 0–120 scale and ETS's recommended requirements (checked 2026-09-28).
- ETS, TOEFL iBT test content — how the overall score is worked out (checked 2026-09-28).
- UC Berkeley Graduate Division, Admission requirements — TOEFL minimums for Fall 2027, MyBest not accepted, exemption criteria (checked 2026-09-28).
- Stanford Graduate Admissions, Required exams — TOEFL minimums, MyBest accepted, exemption criteria, two-year validity (checked 2026-09-28).
Applying in Canada instead? See TOEFL in Canada.
ExamStep is an independent practice site. It is not affiliated with ETS or with any body named on this page, and the requirements above belong to those bodies: they can change them at any time, so confirm on their page before you book.
More on the test: the 2026 format · the 1–6 score scale · Speaking · Writing · registration and fees