From India, TOEFL is a strong choice for a US or university place in Kenya — but be clear on the goal: Here's the honest TOEFL picture on the new 1–6 scale.
Coming from India: where TOEFL fits — and where it doesn't
✓For university admission TOEFL is widely accepted, and the new 1–6 scale (average of the four sections) applies.
✓For Canada PR / Express Entry, TOEFL iBT is NOT on IRCC's list — use IELTS General Training, CELPIP or PTE Core instead. 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.
✓Recognition: AIU (Association of Indian Universities) — equivalence where asked.
⚠️ 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 Any prep from before January 2026 is obsolete.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 Kenya
Kenyan universities are largely English-medium; TOEFL is accepted for international-student admission where an English-language test is required (set per institution) — a test is not always needed. (Kenyan universities)
Study (university):TOEFL accepted by Kenyan universities for international-student admission where an English test applies — set per institution; instruction is largely in English.
Visa:The student visa follows admission; no separate standardised English test.
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.
How AlmiTOEFL helps
✓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 Old-format prep is obsolete; ours isn't.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 Kenya — common questions
What TOEFL score do I need for Kenya?
Kenyan universities are largely English-medium; TOEFL is accepted for international-student admission where an English-language test is required (set per institution) — a test is not always needed. (Kenyan 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 Kenya?
Study (university): TOEFL accepted by Kenyan universities for international-student admission where an English test applies — set per institution; instruction is largely in English. Visa: The student visa follows admission; no separate standardised English test.
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.
