Since 21 January 2026, the TOEFL iBT Speaking section is reported as a band from 1 to 6 in half-band steps, aligned with CEFR levels: 6 is C2, 5–5.5 is C1, 4–4.5 is B2, 3–3.5 is B1, 2–2.5 is A2 and 1–1.5 is A1.
Each of the 11 Speaking answers (7 Listen and Repeat sentences and 4 Take an Interview questions) is scored from 0 to 5, so the raw Speaking score runs from 0 to 55. ETS converts it to the 1–6 band but does not publish that conversion. ETS does publish how old 0–30 Speaking scores compare with the new bands (table below), and it sets no passing score.
Last reviewed against the official sources listed below.
| Detail | TOEFL iBT Speaking |
|---|---|
| Reported score | A band from 1 to 6 in steps of 0.5, rounded to the nearest whole or half band |
| What is scored | 11 answers: 7 Listen and Repeat sentences and 4 Take an Interview answers, each 0–5 |
| Raw score range | 0–55 |
| Raw score to band | Not published by ETS |
| CEFR level | Shown on the score report: 6 = C2, 5–5.5 = C1, 4–4.5 = B2, 3–3.5 = B1, 2–2.5 = A2, 1–1.5 = A1 |
| Overall score | The average of the four section bands, rounded to the nearest half band (for example 5.25 becomes 5.5) |
| Old 0–120 scale | Until January 2028, score reports also show a comparable overall score on the 0–120 scale. ETS describes no comparable 0–30 score for each section. |
| Passing score | None. Each university or organization sets its own requirement. |
| Scoring | AI scored, according to ETS's 2026 test specifications. You can request a review of your Speaking score within 30 days of the test, for a fee. |
| Validity | Scores are valid for 2 years |
Sources: ETS: Understanding TOEFL iBT scores · ETS: TOEFL score scale update (for institutions) · ETS: Updated TOEFL iBT Test Overview (PDF) · ETS: TOEFL iBT 2026 Test Blueprint and Specifications (PDF)
ETS aligns the 1–6 scale with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). The same mapping applies to every section and to the overall score.
| Speaking 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 |
Tests taken before 21 January 2026 reported Speaking on a 0–30 scale. ETS publishes this comparison between the old Speaking scores and the new bands. It is not an equal-interval conversion: ETS notes that two half bands can cover different numbers of old score points.
| Speaking band (1–6) | Old Speaking score (0–30) |
|---|---|
| 6 | 28–30 |
| 5.5 | 27 |
| 5 | 25–26 |
| 4.5 | 23–24 |
| 4 | 20–22 |
| 3.5 | 18–19 |
| 3 | 16–17 |
| 2.5 | 13–15 |
| 2 | 10–12 |
| 1.5 | 5–9 |
| 1 | 0–4 |
Sources: ETS: Understanding TOEFL iBT scores · ETS: TOEFL score scale update (for institutions)
For institutions setting requirements, ETS publishes a comparison between IELTS band scores and TOEFL iBT bands for tests taken on or after 21 January 2026. It is ETS's comparison, based on its research; each institution decides which scores it accepts.
| IELTS (1–9) | TOEFL iBT Speaking (1–6) |
|---|---|
| 8–9 | 6 |
| 7.5 | 5 |
| 7 | 4.5 |
| 6.5 | 4 |
| 6 | 3.5 |
| 5.5 | 3 |
| 5 | 2.5 |
| 4.5 | 2 |
| 4 | 1.5 |
The Department of Home Affairs publishes its TOEFL iBT minimums as section scores on the old 0–30 scale (for example, for Proficient English, at least 24 in Speaking for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025). As of 7 October 2026 it has not published minimums on the 1–6 band scale.
ETS states that only tests taken before 21 January 2026 and the TOEFL iBT Australia test are currently approved for Australian visa purposes. Home Affairs also requires you to select "Taking TOEFL for Australia" when you register, and does not accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
Every Home Affairs minimum for PTE Academic, IELTS and TOEFL iBT, and what each level is worth in points: English points for Australian PR
Sources: Home Affairs: Proficient English · ETS: 2026–2027 TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin (PDF)
Each of the 11 answers is worth up to 5 raw points, and the two tasks reward different things.
Seven of the 11 answers are Listen and Repeat sentences and four are interview answers, each worth up to 5 raw points. Practise both, then put most of your time into the task where you lose more points.
A 5 needs an exact, intelligible repetition. Missing small words and endings is the most common reason for a 4.
Answer directly, then add a reason and a concrete example in the 45 seconds. Little elaboration is described at level 3 in the scoring guide.
Both scoring guides check how easy you are to understand. Clear word stress and a steady pace help every answer.
There is no preparation time on either task. Practise full sets so starting instantly feels normal.
"A 4.5 is a fail"
ETS sets no passing score. A 4.5 is B2 on ETS's CEFR mapping; whether it is enough depends on the university or organization.
Converting a new band back into a 0–30 Speaking score
ETS's table compares old scores with the new bands. New score reports carry a comparable overall 0–120 score, not a 0–30 Speaking score.
Assuming every half band covers the same range
ETS notes that half bands can cover different numbers of old score points (for example 27 alone is 5.5, while 20–22 is 4).
Using prep material for the old section
Independent and integrated tasks and the 0–30 Speaking score belong to the test before 21 January 2026.
Booking a TOEFL test for an Australian visa without checking
Home Affairs requires "Taking TOEFL for Australia" at registration and does not accept the Home Edition; ETS says only TOEFL iBT Australia and tests taken before 21 January 2026 are currently approved.
Two situations we made up to show how to read the ETS tables. They are illustrations, not advice for a particular university.
Our original example, not a real test item
Ana took the TOEFL iBT test in 2025 and scored 24 in Speaking (0–30). She wants to know what that means on the new scale.
ETS's comparison puts an old Speaking score of 23–24 at a band of 4.5, and ETS maps 4.5 to CEFR B2.
Our original example, not a real test item
A program asks for "TOEFL iBT Speaking 25 or above", a requirement written for the old 0–30 scale. Kenji takes the test in the 2026 format.
In ETS's comparison, an old Speaking score of 25–26 corresponds to a band of 5, and 27 to 5.5.
Your first full TOEFL iBT speaking mock is free: one Listen and Repeat set and one four-question interview, about 8 minutes, with an estimated 0–5 score for every answer and an estimated Speaking band (1–6) with its CEFR level. No credit card needed.
AI estimate for practice. Not an official score.
For tests taken on or after 21 January 2026, Speaking is reported as a band from 1 to 6 in half-band steps. Behind it, 11 answers are each scored 0 to 5, a raw score of 0 to 55.
ETS sets no passing score; each university or organization sets its own. As a guide to levels, ETS maps 4–4.5 to B2, 5–5.5 to C1 and 6 to C2.
Use ETS's comparison: 28–30 is 6, 27 is 5.5, 25–26 is 5, 23–24 is 4.5, 20–22 is 4, 18–19 is 3.5, 16–17 is 3, 13–15 is 2.5, 10–12 is 2, 5–9 is 1.5 and 0–4 is 1.
Each of the 11 answers is scored from 0 to 5 using the ETS scoring guides, and the raw total (0–55) is converted to the 1–6 band. ETS does not publish the raw-to-band conversion.
Yes, until January 2028: reports for the new format also show a comparable overall score on the 0–120 scale, the midpoint of the matching range. ETS describes no comparable 0–30 score for each section.
Home Affairs publishes TOEFL iBT minimums on the old 0–30 section scale, for example at least 24 in Speaking for Proficient English for tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, and has not published minimums on the 1–6 band scale. ETS says only tests taken before 21 January 2026 and TOEFL iBT Australia are currently approved for Australian visas.
Every timing, count and scoring fact on this page comes from these official pages. Last reviewed . Test owners change their tests: check the official pages before you book.