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Everything You Need to Know About TOEFL Score Validity and Requirements (2026) — How Long Scores Last, What Institutions Want & How to Plan

  • Feb 6
  • 5 min read

Requirements
Requirements



Understanding how long TOEFL scores remain valid, how they’re reported, and what universities or visa offices expect will save you stress when you apply. This practical, up-to-date guide explains official score validity rules (2026), the recent scoring updates, common institutional requirements, how to plan your test timing, and step-by-step advice for sending and verifying scores. Wherever I cite policy or timelines I’m using the official information from ETS and related ETS resources.



Quick summary (what most test-takers need to know)

  • TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years from your test date. After that ETS will not report or send them.

  • Scoring changes (January 21, 2026): ETS introduced a new 1–6 band section/overall score scale (in 0.5 increments); score reports during a two-year transition also show the familiar 0–120 scale for reference. Institutions will receive guidance on interpreting new bands.

  • Plan your test date so your valid scores cover your application deadlines — typically take TOEFL 2–3 months before the earliest admissions or visa deadline to allow score reporting and any retake.



What “valid for 2 years” actually means

ETS’s policy is straightforward: your official TOEFL iBT scores are considered valid for two years from your test date. During that two-year window you can download PDF score reports, send additional score reports to institutions (for a fee), or verify scores. After two years ETS removes or archives scores for reporting — universities and official agencies will not accept expired reports.

Practical implications

  • If you took the test on June 15, 2024, your scores expire on June 15, 2026 — after that, ETS will not send them. Plan accordingly.

  • If you need scores for multiple application cycles, either time your test close to deadlines or be prepared to retake the TOEFL when older scores pass the two-year mark.



The 2026 scoring update — what changed and what remains


In January 2026 ETS rolled out a major update to reporting and scoring :


New band scale (1–6, half increments) — each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) is now reported on a 1.0–6.0 band scale (0.5 increments), and the overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band. This aligns TOEFL more closely with international CEFR benchmarks.


Dual reporting during transition — for roughly a two-year transition period, ETS will also display a comparable 0–120 overall score on score reports so institutions and applicants can compare legacy thresholds and new bands. After the transition institutions will primarily use the banded scale.


What didn’t change — core skills assessed (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) continue to be the focus; the need to show current proficiency and the two-year validity window remain unchanged.


Why this matters to you: if you and your target universities are used to 0–120 cutoffs, check each school’s guidance: many institutions will publish conversion tables or accept either score format during the transition.



Table: How ETS now reports TOEFL scores (post-Jan 21, 2026)

Report item

Format shown on report (2026 transition)

Notes

Section scores

1.0 – 6.0 (0.5 increments)

Four sections reported individually.

Overall score

1.0 – 6.0 (average of sections)

Rounded to nearest 0.5 band.

Legacy comparable score

0 – 120 (shown during transition)

Helps admissions compare to prior thresholds; will phase out after transition.

Score validity

2 years from test date

Scores not reported after expiry.

Score delivery

Electronic report available in ETS account (typical delivery window varies by test type)

See ETS account for your test’s official release date.

Institutional requirements — what universities and agencies typically ask



Different institutions set their own minimums. With the 2026 scoring migration:

  • Check each school’s admissions page: they will list minimum section and overall requirements in either the 1–6 band or both formats during transition. Many schools will update pages with explicit conversions. (If not, contact admissions.)


  • Visa & licensing boards: some visa or professional licensing agencies may have specific score or recency rules — check those agencies directly. ETS’s two-year validity is the baseline; agencies can require more recent evidence.


  • Department vs institution requirements: occasionally a department (e.g., an English-medium program) may require higher section minima (especially Speaking or Writing) even if overall band meets the threshold — confirm both institutional and program pages.



Sending scores, superscores (MyBest), and score reports

  • Order additional reports: During the two-year validity window, you can order extra score reports to institutions via your ETS account (fee applies).

  • MyBest™ scores / superscoring: ETS continues to provide MyBest (superscore) reports when applicable — these combine your best section scores from valid tests taken within the reporting window (check ETS details for eligibility and availability). Institutions decide whether to accept MyBest.



How to plan test dates around the 2-year validity rule


  1. Work backwards from your deadline. If your university application deadline is Nov 1, 2026, take TOEFL no later than Aug–Sept 2026 to allow reporting time and retake buffer.

  2. If you already have an older score (close to expiry): check the exact test date and expiry date in your ETS account — if it expires before decision deadlines, plan to retake.

  3. Multiple applications across years: schedule TOEFL in the application season so the two-year window covers your likely decision dates; avoid taking it too early.





Table: Example timelines (for a Fall 2027 intake)


When to take TOEFL

Why

Notes

Aug–Sept 2026

Ideal for Fall 2027 programs if you want scores to remain valid through admissions & visa steps

Leaves time for a retake if needed.

Nov–Dec 2026

Late but possible for rolling admissions

Risk of missing some program deadlines or visa processing.

Jan–Mar 2027

Too late for many Fall 2027 deadlines

Only useful for programs with late deadlines or spring intakes.

Common student questions (FAQ)


Q1: How long are TOEFL scores valid and what does that mean for my application timeline?

A: TOEFL scores are valid for two years from your test date. ETS will no longer report or send scores after that two-year window, so schedule your test so the two-year validity covers your application and visa deadlines. Check your ETS account for exact dates.



Q2: With the 2026 scoring update, how should I report my scores to universities?A: Your ETS report will show the 1–6 band scores (and a comparable 0–120 score during the transition). Submit ETS-sent official scores and confirm each university’s preference — many accept either format during the transition; some will publish conversion guidance.



Q3: Can I use an expired TOEFL score for admissions?

A: No. Once your TOEFL score passes the two-year expiry, ETS will not report it and most universities and official agencies will not accept it. You’ll need to retake the test.



Q4: What if I took TOEFL before Jan 21, 2026 (old 0–120 score) — is it still valid?

A: Yes — scores taken before the scoring change remain valid for two years from their test date. During the transition ETS also provides comparable legacy scores so institutions can evaluate both formats. Always check individual institutional policies.



Actionable checklist — what to do right now

  • Log into your ETS account and note the test date(s) and the exact expiry date for any current scores.

  • If you haven’t taken the test, book a date that places your score validity window over the application & visa deadlines (aim for test date ≥ 2–3 months before deadlines).

  • Confirm each target university’s score requirements (overall and section minima) and whether they accept MyBest scores or require the new band format.



CTA — official resources & next steps

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