How do TOEFL 1 to 6 scores compare with 0 to 120 scores?

How the overall score is calculated

ETS averages the four section scores and rounds to the nearest half band. In the ETS examples, a section average of 5.25 gives an overall score of 5.5, and an average of 5.125 gives an overall score of 5.

The ETS comparison table

ETS has published a table that compares 0 to 120 totals from tests taken before January 21, 2026 with the new 1 to 6 totals. The table lists the lower bound of the 0 to 120 total for each band.

6 is 114 or higher, 5.5 is 107 or higher, 5 is 95 or higher, 4.5 is 86 or higher, 4 is 72 or higher, 3.5 is 58 or higher, 3 is 44 or higher, 2.5 is 34 or higher, 2 is 24 or higher, 1.5 is 12 or higher, and 1 is 0 or higher.

The comparable 0 to 120 total on the score report is the midpoint of the corresponding total range. Both formats already appear on the report, so there is nothing to calculate or convert.

ETS says that from January 2026 to January 2028, each score report shows the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) level, the 1 to 6 scores, and the comparable 0 to 120 total. Unlock Prep does not read that 0 to 120 number as a rescoring under the old method.

MyBest scores

On a score report for a test taken on the 1 to 6 scale, the MyBest section converts older 0 to 120 scores to the 1 to 6 scale. Whether MyBest scores are accepted depends on the institution, so check with each one directly.

Where do people misread the table?

The easiest place to misread is the “or higher” in the comparison table. The example below was made up to illustrate the point.

Reading “an overall 5, so 95” is wrong. The correct reading is “an overall 5 is the 95 to 106 range on the 0 to 120 scale.” ETS says an overall 5 corresponds to 95 and up, through 106. Each number in the table is the lower bound where that band starts, so quoting only the lower bound understates your level.

Section bands are not read from the total column. In the ETS table, the same band 5 covers 24 to 26 for Reading and 22 to 25 for Listening on the 0 to 30 section scale.

What has ETS not said?

The ETS material we checked does not say when each school will switch to the new format. What ETS has said is that institutions are updating at different times and some still list requirements on the 0 to 120 scale.

This article does not compare conversion tables published by companies or blogs. Every number here comes from the ETS tables.

What should you check with your schools?

In each school’s notice, first check whether the requirement is a 1 to 6 band or a 0 to 120 total, and whether there are section minimums.

ETS recommends that institutions move a 0 to 120 requirement of 100 to 5, 90 to 4.5, 80 to 4, and 70 to 3.5. Check whether your school follows this mapping.

Also check the school’s notice for whether the deadline is based on when scores are sent or when the school receives them.