TOEFL’s New Scoring System: What It Means for International Students and Why IELTS or Cambridge May Be the Smarter Choice

Categories: Important Updates, London Living, Programmes

WHICH ENGLISH EXAM IS BEST?

As an international student planning to study abroad in the UK, if you’ve been researching English language exams recently, you may have noticed the new changes to the TOEFL scoring system. With the introduction of a new band scale, test formats and more, universities and pathway providers are now facing a transition period.

For international students, this shift presents an important question: Is TOEFL the best option or could IELTS or Cambridge be a better choice?

What is the TOEFL exam and who can take it?

TOEFL stands for “Test of English as a Foreign Language”. It’s a standardised exam created by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to check your ability to use and understand English in an academic setting.

The TOEFL is composed of four sections: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Unlike the Cambridge exam, it’s not just one test; it’s multiple. The most popular of which are the TOEFL iBT and the TOEFL Essentials exam.

TOEFL iBT

Just under 2 hours long
Focuses on academic tasks at a university level
Widely accepted by universities in over 160 countries
Mostly taken by students from non-English-speaking countries who are aiming to study in English for their degree

TOEFL Essentials

About 90 minutes long
Measures your English level in both general and academic contexts
Test delivery is purely online

Despite the differences between these two tests, anyone who needs to prove English proficiency can take a TOEFL exam (e.g., for work or immigration purposes). There are no strict limitations on age, education, nationality, or the number of times you can take the test if you don’t get your desired score.

Changes to the new TOEFL English Exam starting in 2026

1. Updated scoring system

As of 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT will use a new scoring system. Instead of a 0-120 total score, you’ll now receive a score on a scale of 1-6.

Between now and 2028, you’ll see both old and new scores shown side by side to help international students and university admissions offices adjust to the changes. If you’ve already taken the exam, you can use the chart below to get an idea of what your score equals on the new scale. Students taking the new exam will not need to convert their score.

Chart content sourced from ETS

Tip: CERF stands for the Common European Framework of Reference for Language (a mouthful, we know). Launched in 2001, the CEFR organises language proficiency in six levels, A1 to C2. It can be adapted and used for multiple contexts and applied to all languages.

2. Reading and listening sections of TOEFL are now adaptive

ETS has introduced a multistage adaptive design for the Reading and Listening sections of the TOEFL iBT test that will adjust in real-time based on the student’s performance. This means that the difficulty of each stage will depend on how well or poorly you did in the previous stage. So if you perform well, the next set of questions becomes harder.

3. Test time has been reduced to 90 minutes

ETS has reduced the TOEFL iBT test time from two hours to 90 minutes, with no scheduled 10-minute break.

Reading and listening sections will now be 18-27 minutes long.
Originally 16 minutes long, the speaking section has been shortened to about 8 minutes.
Finally, the writing section of the TOEFL iBT has been upgraded to focus on practical, concise communication instead of time-consuming essays. The time has now been reduced from 29 minutes to 23 minutes.

Why IELTS or Cambridge May Be a Simpler Option

While TOEFL is widely accepted, the current scoring transition creates an extra layer of complexity. For example:

Some top universities, such as the University of Oxford and Cambridge, have announced that they will not accept the new format until a review of the revised test has been completed.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) still use their 0-9 score scale, so there’s no new scoring system to learn and universities are already familiar with it.
Cambridge English exams, such as B2 First or C1 Advanced, provide a lifetime certification. Unlike IELTS or TOEFL, you do not need to retake the exam after two years.

SCL International College Prepares Students for IELTS and Cambridge Exams

At SCL International College, we recognise the importance of English language proficiency for international students pursuing academic and professional goals. We offer comprehensive IELTS and Cambridge Exam Preparation Courses designed to equip you with the skills and strategies necessary to excel in these exams. Our experienced and dedicated teachers will guide you through all aspects of your exam, from understanding the format and question types to developing effective test-taking strategies.

Tip: If you can’t decide between the two exams, then dive into our blog and discover whether IELTS or Cambridge is the right path for you.

How do IELTS, TOEFL, and Cambridge English Exams differ?

Choosing the right English exam, especially with the recent changes, can feel confusing. Here are a few hints to guide you:

IELTS is usually the go-to test if you want to study, work or move abroad. It’s widely accepted around the world. Think of it as your passport to opportunities.
TOEFL is popular for studying in the US, but also more focused on academic English.
Both IELTS and TOEFL only last two years, whereas the Cambridge Exam is designed for people looking for a long-term qualification rather than a test for immediate goals such as a visa or university application.

ielts-cambridge-toefl-english-exams-compared

Tip: If you're confident that the IELTS exam is your best choice, we encourage you to read our related blog post, where we offer valuable tips and strategies for international students to approach the IELTS exam with confidence and ace it.

Whether you're looking for an academic or professional qualification, you don’t have to figure it out alone. At SCL International College, we’re here to support you in every step of your journey, from helping you decide which test is best for your goals to preparing you with the skills and confidence you need to succeed.

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