TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is often a requirement for admission to study programs abroad and for many international programs, and it is widely accepted by European higher education institutions. The test covers four skills: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. It can be taken at a test center as TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) or from home as TOEFL iBT Home Edition.

TOEFL iBT has undergone the most significant modernization in the past 20 years. The test administrator, Educational Testing Service (ETS), introduced a new format on January 21, 2026, and the test duration is now significantly shorter than before — typically 70–90 minutes, instead of more than two hours.

The new version still measures all four key skills, but with a more modern approach. Reading and Listening are adaptive (multi-stage), meaning that the difficulty of the questions adjusts based on your performance during the test, allowing for a more precise and personalized assessment. Speaking and Writing have been redesigned with new task types that better reflect real communication situations in an academic environment (e.g. modern academic discussions and practical language use).

Instead of the previous 0–120 scale, the test will now be scored from 1 to 6 (in 0.5 increments), aligned with the international CEFR language standard (A1–C2). Starting in 2026, you will receive four section scores (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), an overall score from 1–6, and additionally, during the transition period (2026–2028), the traditional 0–120 score for comparison. This scale simplifies the interpretation of results in relation to CEFR, comparison with other international tests, and understanding of language level without additional tables.

The new version of the TOEFL iBT exam also introduces several practical advantages:

• Faster results – in many regions available within 72 hours.
• Simplified registration and an improved testing experience, including more secure and modern online proctoring systems.
• Updated preparation materials published by ETS and other educational providers for the new test format.
• Due to the shorter duration, the official 10-minute break from the previous version has been removed.

Below is a comparison table of scores according to the new system (introduced in January 2026), the traditional 0–120 scale, and CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) levels. The main innovation is the introduction of the 1–6 scale, which directly corresponds to CEFR levels, making result interpretation easier in the global education and job market.

The new scoring structure brings greater clarity and transparency:

1. Hybrid report – On the official certificate, you will receive both results: the traditional total score (e.g. 102) and the new unified score on the 1–6 scale (e.g. 5.0).
2. More precise mapping of proficiency level – Universities increasingly specify requirements such as “Minimum score 5.0,” which is a clearer and internationally comparable equivalent, for example, to an IELTS score of 7.0/7.5 or a Cambridge C1 Advanced certificate.
3. Section Scores – Each of the four skills (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) is still internally scored up to 30 points, but the final average is converted to the new 1–6 scale in line with ETS standards.

Tip: When applying to a university, check whether the institution already accepts the new 1–6 scale or still requires the traditional 0–120 scale.

MyBest Scores i dalje su dostupni uz novi TOEFL iBT ispit. Sustav automatski kombinira vaše najbolje rezultate iz svake od četiri sekcije (čitanje, slušanje, govorenje i pisanje) ostvarene unutar posljednje dvije godine – bez obzira na datum polaganja.

Ako ste ispit polagali i prema starom sustavu (0–120) i prema novoj skali (1–6), MyBest opcija automatski konvertira starije rezultate u novu ljestvicu kako bi ih mogla objediniti.

MyBest rezultati automatski su uključeni u izvješće, no konačnu odluku o njihovom prihvaćanju donosi svako pojedino sveučilište ili institucija. Popis institucija koje prihvaćaju ovu opciju dostupan je na službenim ETS stranicama.

TOEFL iBT tests are held in test centers worldwide, including Zagreb and Split. Dates and availability can be checked at:
http://www.ets.org/bin/getprogram.cgi?test=toefl

To register, you need to create a user account on the Educational Testing Service (ETS) website:
http://www.ets.org/toefl/ibt/register/

After registration, you select the country, city, test center, and desired test date. Due to limited availability, early registration is recommended. The test fee is 260 USD, while late registration costs 300 USD. Payment is made online.

The TOEFL test can be taken multiple times, but due to the high cost, quality preparation is recommended in order to achieve the desired result on the first attempt.

Results are available via the Online Examinee Score Record on the official website:
http://www.ets.org/toefl

Results are accessed by logging into your personal account and are published 15 business days after taking the test. TOEFL iBT results are valid for two years from the test date.

Related articles:

What is better, TOEFL or IELTS? Find out on our blog: https://www.arteetmarte.hr/sto-je-bolje-toefl-ili-ielts/

Sources:

1. https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/content/reading. Accessed January 12, 2024.

2. https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/scores/. Accessed January 14, 2024.

3. https://www.ets.org/toefl_itp/content/. Accessed January 12, 2024.