TOEFL iBT

TOEFL iBT Test (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

ETS (ETS Japan in Japan) · EN tests English

UpcomingOfficial site ↗

Taken on a computer at a test centre; book a date that suits you.

Dates are from the organisation's official announcements. Always confirm on the official site before you apply.

Taking the test

Fee: US$195 (standard fee in Japan, 2026). Paid in US dollars, so the yen price moves with the exchange rate.
How often: Test centre dates throughout the year, and a home version (TOEFL iBT Home Edition). You book a date and place yourself.
Format: About two hours on a computer: Reading (about 30 minutes) and Listening (about 29 minutes), both adaptive; Writing (about 23 minutes, typed); Speaking (about 8 minutes). Taken at a test centre or at home.
Run by: ETS (ETS Japan in Japan)
Apply: Official site ↗

Scores and CEFR

CEFR	New scale (1–6)	Old scale (0–120)
C2	6	114–120
C1	5–5.5	95–113
B2	4–4.5	72–94
B1	3–3.5	44–71
A2	2–2.5	24–43
A1	1–1.5	0–23

The 1–6 scale is built on the CEFR: the same number means the same CEFR level in every section and overall (for example, 4 is B2). The overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest 0.5. The 0–120 column comes from ETS's 2026 mapping table; it is an approximate comparison. There is no pass or fail. Each university sets its own minimum score.

What it tests

Tested

Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing
Academic English

Not tested

Workplace English

It focuses on university and daily campus life, not the workplace. Writing is typed; handwriting isn't allowed.

Languages and where to take it

Test language: Entirely in English.
Instructions: Instructions are in English.
Where: At test centres in Japan and other countries, or online at home.
How long it counts: Scores are valid for two years from the test date. Scores from before 21 January 2026 (0–120 only) also stay valid for two years.

What it's recognised for

Mainly admission of international students to universities and other programmes taught in English.

About the exam

Who it's for: Academic English for people applying to universities that teach in English.
Levels and scores: Since 21 January 2026, a score from 1 to 6 in half-point steps for each section and overall, aligned with the CEFR. For two years, reports also show a comparable 0–120 score.