TOEFL Results 2026: When They Come Out, How to Check Them and the New 1-6 Scores
Key Takeaways
- Official TOEFL iBT scores reach your ETS account 3 days after your test date, and ETS emails you when they are ready; unofficial Reading and Listening scores show at the end of the test.
- Since 21 January 2026 each section is scored 1 to 6, and the overall score is the average of the four sections rounded to the nearest half band.
- Until January 2028, score reports also show a comparable overall score on the old 0 to 120 scale.
- Your test fee includes four free score reports, chosen in your ETS account by 10 p.m. local test centre time on the day before the test.
- Scores are valid for two years, and Speaking and Writing can be reviewed within 30 days for US$80 per section if you have not sent your scores. If you test in India, these US$ fees do not apply: ETS India lists rupee prices.
Table of Contents
TOEFL iBT results reach your ETS account 3 days after your test, and ETS emails you when they are ready. Since 21 January 2026 each section is scored from 1 to 6, and your overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band. Scores are valid for two years.
The timings, rules and fees on this page come from ETS’s getting your scores, understanding your scores and sending your scores pages, its score scale update and the TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin 2026–27, checked 28 October 2026. We re-check them every quarter.
When do TOEFL results come out?
At the end of the test you see your unofficial Reading and Listening scores, and you choose whether to report or cancel all your scores. Once you choose to report, you cannot cancel them. Speaking and Writing are scored after the test, so they arrive with your official scores.
| What you get | When | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Unofficial Reading and Listening scores | At the end of the test | On screen |
| Official scores for all four sections and the overall score | 3 days after your test date (the exact date is shown at the end of your test) | Your ETS account, with an email from ETS |
| PDF copy of your score report | About 1 to 2 days after your official scores | Download from your ETS account |
| Paper score report, if you asked for one before the test | Mailed 11 to 15 days after your test date | By post |
Source: ETS getting-your-scores and understanding-your-scores pages, checked 28 October 2026. ETS gives the PDF timing two ways: its scores page says 24 to 48 hours after your scores arrive, and its understanding-your-scores page says 1 day.
How do I check my TOEFL result?
- Wait for the ETS email saying your scores are available, 3 days after your test.
- Sign in to your ETS account, the same one you used to register.
- Open your TOEFL iBT scores and download the PDF score report once it is ready. Scores are valid for two years, so keep a copy for your records.
Unofficial scores can change after ETS’s quality checks, which is why only the scores in your account count as official.
How is the TOEFL scored in 2026?
ETS moved the TOEFL iBT to a 1 to 6 scale on 21 January 2026. Until January 2028, each score report shows three things: your CEFR level, your 1 to 6 section and overall scores, and a comparable overall score on the old 0 to 120 scale.
| Score | How ETS calculates it |
|---|---|
| Section scores (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) | 1 to 6, in steps of 0.5 |
| Overall score | The average of the four section scores, rounded to the nearest half band. An average of 5.125 becomes 5; an average of 5.25 becomes 5.5 |
| Comparable 0 to 120 score | The midpoint of the matching total range on the old scale, shown for two years from January 2026 |
Source: ETS, TOEFL score scale update, checked 28 October 2026. To work out your overall score from your four section scores, use our TOEFL score calculator.
How do I send TOEFL scores to universities?
Your test fee includes up to four free score reports, sent to the institutions you choose before you take the test. You can add or delete them in your ETS account until 10 p.m. (local test centre time) on the day before your test. After that, each extra report has a fee: ETS’s score-sending page says US$25 per institution, while its fees table says US$29 each, so check the amount in your ETS account when you order. An order cannot be changed or refunded once placed.
Our guide on how to send TOEFL iBT scores walks through each step, and our TOEFL score report discount code page lists the codes that work on extra reports.
How long are TOEFL scores valid?
Two years from your test date. ETS will not report or send scores after two years. Our post on TOEFL score validity explains what that means for your applications.
What are TOEFL MyBest scores?
MyBest scores combine your best score in each section from all your valid TOEFL iBT tests in the last two years. If your latest test is on the 1 to 6 scale, the MyBest section of your report converts older 0 to 120 scores to the new scale. Each institution decides whether it accepts MyBest scores, so check before you rely on them.
What if my TOEFL score is lower than I expected?
| Option | Rules (ETS) |
|---|---|
| Score review | Speaking and/or Writing only, up to 30 days after your test date, and only if you have not already sent your scores to any institution. US$80 for one section, US$160 for both. If your score is confirmed, ETS emails you within 3 weeks; a review can move the score up or down. Reading and Listening cannot be reviewed. |
| Reinstating cancelled scores | If you cancelled your scores at the end of the test, you can reinstate them within 60 days for US$20 |
| Retake | No limit on attempts, but not more than once in any 3-day period |
Sources: ETS TOEFL iBT fees, the understanding-your-scores page and the TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin 2026–27 (pages 3 and 12), checked 28 October 2026. If you test in India, the US$ fees on this page do not apply. ETS India lists rupee prices on its TOEFL iBT fees page, and ETS publishes a separate bulletin for testing in India, so confirm the fees and the retake rule there.
Before you book again, find the section that held you back. Our free TOEFL practice test covers all four sections in the 2026 format. When you book, use our TOEFL discount code at ETS checkout. For the booking steps, deadlines and rescheduling rules, see our TOEFL registration guide.
Already have your score and choosing where to apply? Our admissions counsellors can help you shortlist universities that accept it.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days does it take to get TOEFL results?
ETS posts official TOEFL iBT scores to your ETS account 3 days after your test date and emails you when they are ready. The exact date is shown at the end of your test.
Can I see my TOEFL score at the end of the test?
Partly. You see unofficial Reading and Listening scores on screen at the end of the test. Speaking and Writing are scored afterwards and arrive with your official scores 3 days later.
Where do I check my TOEFL result?
Sign in to your ETS account and open your TOEFL iBT scores. A PDF copy of your score report is ready to download about 1 to 2 days after your official scores arrive.
How is the TOEFL overall score calculated in 2026?
Each of the four sections is scored from 1 to 6 in steps of 0.5. The overall score is their average, rounded to the nearest half band: an average of 5.125 becomes 5 and 5.25 becomes 5.5.
Is the TOEFL still scored out of 120?
The official scale has been 1 to 6 since 21 January 2026. Until January 2028, score reports also show a comparable 0 to 120 overall score, the midpoint of the matching range on the old scale.
How many free TOEFL score reports do I get?
Up to four, sent to the institutions you choose in your ETS account by 10 p.m. local test centre time on the day before your test.
How much does an extra TOEFL score report cost?
ETS’s score-sending page says US$25 per institution and its fees table says US$29 each, so check the amount in your ETS account when you order. Orders cannot be changed or refunded.
How long are TOEFL scores valid?
Two years from the test date. ETS does not report or send scores after that.
Can I get my TOEFL score rechecked?
You can request a review of Speaking and/or Writing up to 30 days after your test, if you have not sent your scores to any institution. It costs US$80 for one section or US$160 for both, and the score can go up or down. Reading and Listening cannot be reviewed.
Can I get back TOEFL scores I cancelled?
Yes. If you cancelled your scores at the end of the test, you can reinstate them through your ETS account within 60 days for US$20.
Does TOEFL still have MyBest scores?
Yes. MyBest combines your best section scores from valid tests in the last two years, converting older 0 to 120 scores to the 1 to 6 scale when your latest test is on the new scale. Each institution decides whether to accept them.
How soon can I retake the TOEFL?
There is no limit on attempts, but ETS does not let you take the TOEFL iBT more than once in any 3-day period. Test takers in India should confirm the rule in the India bulletin.
Do the TOEFL fees on this page apply in India?
No. If you test in India, the US$ fees on this page do not apply. ETS India lists rupee prices on its TOEFL iBT fees page (in.ets.org), and ETS publishes a separate bulletin for testing in India, so confirm the fees and the retake rule there.
