From China, TOEFL is the most-accepted test for US and competitive university admissions — the new 1–6 scale, with selective programmes asking for higher bands. Here's the honest picture for Canada, no inflated promises.
Coming from China: TOEFL for competitive US and university admissions
✓TOEFL is a primary, broadly-accepted admission test — especially strong for the US.
✓More selective universities ask for higher bands on the new 1–6 scale; the exact figure is set per university — confirm it on the official admissions page.
✓Verification: CHSI/CHESICC (Ministry of Education verification).
⚠️ TOEFL changed on 21 January 2026
TOEFL changed completely on 21 January 2026 — a new 1.0–6.0 band scale, adaptive Reading and Listening, new Speaking and Writing tasks, about 90 minutes, results in ~72 hours. Any prep from before January 2026 is obsolete. And during the 2026–2028 transition some universities still list old 0–120 requirements — check both.
How the new TOEFL score works
Your overall TOEFL score is now the AVERAGE of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing), each scored 1.0–6.0 in half-band steps — not the old 0–120 sum. The scale is CEFR-aligned.
Band 6.0C2 (mastery)
Band 5.0–5.5C1 (advanced)
Band 4.0–4.5B2 (upper-intermediate) — common university target
Band 3.0–3.5B1 (intermediate)
The TOEFL score you need for Canada
On the new 1.0–6.0 scale, university programmes commonly target roughly 4.0–5.5 overall (B2–C1); the retiring 0–120 equivalent most institutions still list is about 80–100. Set per programme — confirm both during the transition. (Canadian universities)
Study (university):Canadian universities widely accept TOEFL for admission — set per programme.
⚠️ PR / Express Entry:TOEFL iBT is NOT accepted for Canadian PR — IRCC accepts only IELTS General Training, CELPIP General and PTE Core for Express Entry. A separate test, TOEFL Essentials, was added to IRCC's designated list in August 2025 for economic immigration, but IRCC is not yet accepting its scores — don't use it for a PR application until IRCC publishes an official start date and CLB conversion. Confirm current status on IRCC. If you're going for PR, take IELTS GT, CELPIP or PTE Core — not TOEFL iBT.
TOEFL requirements change and vary by university, programme and visa route — always confirm the current figure with the official body before you rely on it. This page is honest guidance, not immigration advice.
TOEFL won't cover that route — here's what does
Where TOEFL isn't accepted (above), you'll need a different test. We sell honest practice for those too:
✓Built for the NEW (Jan 2026) TOEFL — the 1–6 band scale, adaptive Reading/Listening and the new Speaking and Writing tasks. Old-format prep is obsolete; ours isn't.
✓Honest guidance and AI-scored practice — no inflated band promises, and we send you to the official source for the live requirement.
✓Original practice material, written from scratch — never copied from ETS.
TOEFL for Canada — common questions
What TOEFL score do I need for Canada?
On the new 1.0–6.0 scale, university programmes commonly target roughly 4.0–5.5 overall (B2–C1); the retiring 0–120 equivalent most institutions still list is about 80–100. Set per programme — confirm both during the transition. (Canadian universities). Many universities and visa authorities are still updating their thresholds during the 2026–2028 transition — confirm the current figure (and which scale, new 1–6 or old 0–120) on the official source before you rely on it.
Is the new TOEFL 1–6 score the same as the old 0–120?
No. Since 21 January 2026 the overall TOEFL score is the AVERAGE of the four sections on a 1.0–6.0 scale — not the old 0–120 sum. Both may appear on reports during the 2026–2028 transition; there is no exact one-to-one conversion, so check which scale your institution requires.
Can I use TOEFL for Canada?
Study (university): Canadian universities widely accept TOEFL for admission — set per programme. PR / Express Entry: TOEFL iBT is NOT accepted for Canadian PR — IRCC accepts only IELTS General Training, CELPIP General and PTE Core for Express Entry. A separate test, TOEFL Essentials, was added to IRCC's designated list in August 2025 for economic immigration, but IRCC is not yet accepting its scores — don't use it for a PR application until IRCC publishes an official start date and CLB conversion. Confirm current status on IRCC. If you're going for PR, take IELTS GT, CELPIP or PTE Core — not TOEFL iBT.
AlmiTOEFL — practice for the new format is launching
AI-scored practice built for the 21 Jan 2026 TOEFL is on the way. In the meantime, here's honest, sourced guidance — and our sister products if your route needs a different test.
Always confirm. TOEFL requirements change and vary by university, programme and visa route — always confirm the current figure with the official body before you rely on it. This page is honest guidance, not immigration advice.
