TOEFL has a feature IELTS doesn't: MyBest Scores, a "superscore" that combines your strongest section results across multiple test dates. With the 2026 format's move to a 1.0–6.0 band scale, MyBest now also handles converting and combining scores across the old and new scoring systems. Here's exactly how it works.
What Is a MyBest Score?
MyBest Score takes your highest score in each section — Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing — from any valid TOEFL attempt within the last 2 years, and combines them into a single composite score. It is calculated and displayed automatically on every official score report — you don't need to request it separately.
Example
| Section | Attempt 1 (Jan 2026) | Attempt 2 (April 2026) | MyBest Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Listening | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.0 |
| Speaking | 4.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 |
| Writing | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.5 |
| Overall (average) | 4.0 | 4.25 → 4.5 | 4.5 |
In this example, even though neither single attempt produced an overall score of 4.5, the test-taker's MyBest Score reflects 4.5 — their best performance in each section, regardless of which sitting it came from.
How MyBest Handles the 2026 Scale Transition
If you have TOEFL scores from before January 21, 2026 (on the old 0–120 / 0–30-per-section scale) and scores from after the transition (on the new 1.0–6.0 scale), ETS converts your older scores to the new 1.0–6.0 scale so they can be combined into a single MyBest Score alongside your newer results.
This means:
- You don't lose the value of a strong section score from an older attempt just because the scoring scale changed
- Your score report during 2026–2028 will show both the new band scale and the legacy 0–120 equivalent for context
Do Universities Accept MyBest Scores?
This varies by institution — and it's the most important thing to check before relying on MyBest.
| Scenario | What Typically Happens |
|---|---|
| Institution explicitly accepts MyBest | Your composite (best-of-each-section) score is used for admission decisions |
| Institution requires a single-sitting score | Only your scores from one specific test date are considered, even if MyBest is higher |
| Institution doesn't specify | MyBest appears on your report regardless, but admissions staff may default to your most recent single-sitting score |
Always confirm directly with each university's admissions office whether they consider MyBest Scores — this is especially important if your MyBest composite would meet a score requirement that your single best sitting does not.
MyBest vs Single-Sitting Score — When Each Matters
| Use Case | Which Score Matters |
|---|---|
| University application (MyBest-accepting institution) | MyBest composite |
| University application (single-sitting required) | Your best individual test date |
| Visa/immigration applications | Almost always require a single-sitting score — confirm with the relevant authority |
| Professional registration (e.g., nursing, teaching boards) | Typically require a single-sitting score — check specific body's policy |
Using MyBest Strategically
- If you've taken TOEFL before (even under the old format), check your MyBest composite before deciding whether to retake — your older strong section scores (converted to the 1.0–6.0 scale) still count
- If retaking, focus on your weakest section(s) — a strong score in a section you've already done well in won't change your MyBest, since MyBest keeps your best per section regardless of which attempt it came from
- Before relying on MyBest for an application, get written confirmation from the admissions office — don't assume based on general policy, since this can vary even between departments at the same university
- For immigration or licensing applications, plan around your best single-sitting score, not MyBest, unless the relevant authority explicitly states otherwise
Key Takeaways
- MyBest is automatic and free — it appears on every score report without any extra request
- It now bridges the old and new scoring scales — older scores convert to 1.0–6.0 for comparison
- University acceptance varies — this is the single most important thing to verify before counting on MyBest
- For visas and professional registration, expect single-sitting requirements — MyBest is primarily useful for university admissions
Prepare for your next TOEFL attempt with Gabble — AI-powered Speaking and Writing feedback helps you target your weakest section specifically, which is exactly what moves your MyBest Score.