TOEFL Requirements for Every CAAPID Program (2026)

Every CAAPID program's TOEFL minimum in one place — old and new scale equivalents, the January 2026 scoring change, MyBest rules, and handling a low score.

Every CAAPID program's TOEFL minimum in one place — old and new scale equivalents, the January 2026 scoring change explained, MyBest rules, and how to handle a low score. return ( Introduction On January 21, 2026, ETS changed how TOEFL scores are reported. The 0-120 scale that every CAAPID applicant and program has used for years was replaced by a new 1-6 band system aligned with international language proficiency standards. Score reports taken from January 21, 2026 onward now show a score between 1.0 and 6.0. For applicants already deep in a CAAPID cycle — or trying to figure out whether their existing scores still qualify — this change landed at the worst possible time. Some programs had updated their published minimums; others hadn't. Some programs accept MyBest scores from the new system; others don't. And several programs have TOEFL rules so specific — section minimums, validity cutoff dates, no-exception policies — that a

technically eligible score can still disqualify an application. This guide covers everything in one place. The January 2026 TOEFL Scoring Change — What Actually Changed The New 1-6 Scale The TOEFL iBT now reports scores on a 1.0 to 6.0 scale in half-point increments (1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and so on up to 6.0). This replaces the 0-120 total score from tests taken before January 21, 2026. The new overall score is calculated differently from the old one: Old system: Sum of four section scores (each 0-30). Total range: 0-120. New system: Average of four section scores (each 1-6). Total range: 1.0-6.0, rounded to the nearest 0.5. This matters for test strategy. Under the old system, you could compensate for a weak section with a strong one because all sections were summed. Under the new system, your overall score is the average — a very low section score pulls down your overall band significantly. The Conversion Chart (Official ETS Equivalents)

During the 2026-2028 transition period, ETS score reports show both the new 1-6 score and the old 0-120 score. You will not need to manually convert your scores — both appear on your official report. Old Scale (0-120). New Scale (1-6). CEFR Level. 95-106. 5.0. C1. 86-94. 4.5. B2+. 72-85. 4.0. B2. 58-71. 3.5. B1+. The practical implication for CAAPID: Most programs that required 90-100 on the old scale will require 4.5-5.0 on the new scale. Programs that said "100 minimum" are now saying "5.0 minimum." Programs that said "90 minimum" are now saying "4.5 minimum." The threshold didn't change — only the number on the report changed. What Else Changed in the New TOEFL Format Beyond the scoring scale, the January 2026 update also changed the test itself: Duration: The test now runs approximately 90 minutes — significantly shorter than the previous 3-hour format. Adaptive Reading and Listening: These sections now adapt to your performance.

Strong performance on module one leads to harder (but higher-ceiling) questions in module two. New Speaking tasks: The Speaking section has been completely revised with two new tasks focused on spontaneous, real-time verbal communication. Score delivery: Results are now available within 72 hours (down from 4-8 days). Scores remain valid for 2 years: Whether you took the test before or after January 21, 2026, your scores are valid for two years from your test date. Why TOEFL Matters More Than You Think in CAAPID Most CAAPID applicants treat the TOEFL as a box to check. Pass it, move on. This is the wrong frame. The TOEFL is not just an administrative requirement — it is the first signal the admissions committee receives about your English communication proficiency. Advanced standing programs are integrating you into clinical environments where patient communication is a matter of safety, not just academic performance. A TOEFL score at

the bare minimum sends a different signal than a score well above the minimum. Several programs confirm this explicitly. Penn Dental PASS has no published minimum TOEFL score — but the average admitted class for January 2026 entry had a score of 102 on the old scale. Rutgers IED has no published minimum at all — but program advisors consistently report that 100+ is competitive, and applicants with lower scores should expect additional scrutiny. The Real Threshold. A strong TOEFL score — 100+ on the old scale / 5.0+ on the new — does two things: it removes a potential source of doubt from the admissions committee's review, and it signals that your clinical communication in English will not be a problem from day one. Practice Your Interview Communication Skills. A strong TOEFL opens the door. Your interview performance keeps it open. Practice with AI feedback.. Start Practicing Free. TOEFL Minimums by Program — Complete Reference Table

The table below uses both old (0-120) and new (1-6) scale equivalents for programs that have published updated requirements. Where only one scale is listed, the program has not yet published the equivalent. Always verify current requirements directly with each program before submitting — requirements update mid-cycle more often than program websites reflect. Program. Old Scale Min. New Scale Min. Notes. NYU College of Dentistry. 100. 5.0. No MyBest. Must retake if taken before Jan 2025. Penn Dental PASS. No hard min. No hard min. 95+ rec; avg admitted class 102. MyBest NOT accepted. Columbia CDM. Not published. Not published. Confirm directly. BU Goldman DIS. 90. 4.5. MyBest accepted. Tufts DIS. 90. 4.5. Home Edition accepted. USC ASPID. 100. 5.0. Section minimums apply. UCLA IDP. 95. 5.0. Home Edition NOT accepted after Jan 21, 2026. MyBest accepted. UMN PASS. 94. 5.0. Home Edition accepted. Within 3 years. Temple Kornberg. 100. 5.5.

Higher than most programs. Within 2 years. Rutgers IED. None published. None published. 100+ strongly competitive. Required for ALL applicants regardless of status. CU Anschutz. 94. 5.0. No exceptions for any applicant including US citizens. MyBest accepted. UCSF IDP. 95. 5.0. Home Edition accepted. Within 2 years. Harvard ASID. Not published. Not published. Required. Confirm directly. UNC ASPID. 100 (hard floor 90). 5.0. Reviewed below 90. 100 minimum to be competitive. Loma Linda. 100 (section min 20). 5.0. Individual section minimums apply. UMKC. Not published. Not published. Confirm directly. Internet-based only. Howard. 100. 5.0. No paper-based. Within 5 years. Indiana IU. Not published. Not published. Confirm directly. UNLV. 98. 5.0. Required for all applicants. Within 2 years. Pitt. 100. 5.0. Application deadline. University at Buffalo. Not published. Not published. Confirm directly. Nova SE. Not published. Not published. Confirm

directly. University of Florida. Not published. Not published. Confirm directly. UIC. Not published. Not published. Confirm directly. University of Iowa. Not published. Not published. Scores after Oct 1, 2024 only. Either scale accepted during transition. Western University. 79. ~4.0. Lowest published minimum in CAAPID. University of Pacific (Dugoni). N/A. 4.5. No Home Edition. No MyBest. Most recent score only. The Rules That Trip Applicants Up MyBest Scores: Accepted at Some Programs, Explicitly Rejected at Others MyBest scores are a TOEFL feature where ETS reports your highest section score from each test date across all valid attempts — essentially your best possible composite from multiple tests rather than a single sitting. Programs that explicitly accept MyBest: BU Goldman UMN PASS UCSF IDP CU Anschutz Programs that explicitly reject MyBest: NYU ("does not review MyBest Scores") Penn PASS ("MyBest TOEFL scores are not

considered") University of Pacific Dugoni ("MyBest scores will not be considered — only the most recent score") If your best total score comes from combining different test dates, you must check whether each program on your list accepts MyBest before deciding whether to retake. For programs that don't accept it, your eligible score is whatever you achieved in a single sitting. UCLA Home Edition Restriction. UCLA IDP explicitly states: Home Edition is not accepted after January 21, 2026. If you're applying to UCLA's international dentist program, you must take the TOEFL at an authorized testing center. Home Edition: Accepted at Many, Now Restricted at UCLA Programs that explicitly accept Home Edition: BU Tufts UMN PASS UCSF IDP CU Anschutz (implicitly, no restrictions listed) Section Minimums: UCLA and Loma Linda Have Them Most programs publish only a total score minimum. Two programs have additional requirements by section: UCLA IDP :

Section minimums for tests taken before January 21, 2026: Reading 21, Listening 17, Writing 24, Speaking 25. For tests on or after January 21, 2026: 5.0 overall on the new scale applies. Loma Linda: Individual section minimum of 20 on the old scale per section. Under the new scale, this roughly corresponds to a 3.0-3.5 per section — verify the current equivalent directly. An applicant with a total score of 100 on the old scale could have a below-minimum Speaking score of 16 or a below-minimum Listening score of 14 if their other sections were strong. That's a technically passing total with a disqualifying section — and at UCLA or Loma Linda, it would make the application incomplete. Score Validity: Most Programs Require 2 Years The standard TOEFL score validity across CAAPID programs is 2 years from the test date. Exceptions: UMN PASS : 3-year validity window (more generous than most) Howard: 5-year validity for NBDE (TOEFL validity

standard 2 years — verify) UNLV: 2-year validity, NBDE within 8 years University of Iowa: Scores from exams taken before October 1, 2024 will not be accepted — regardless of the 2-year window Rutgers' Universal TOEFL Requirement Rutgers IED is explicit: TOEFL is required for ALL applicants regardless of immigration status, work experience, or educational background. This is unusual — many programs waive the TOEFL for US citizens, native English speakers, or applicants who completed their dental degree at an English-language institution. There is no published minimum at Rutgers. But applicants consistently report that 100+ is competitive, and the admissions committee considers the highest submitted score when multiple attempts are on file. CU Anschutz's No-Exceptions Policy Colorado Anschutz may be the strictest TOEFL program in CAAPID: "CU SDM ISP does not make any exceptions for this criteria even for those who are citizens or those

who did schooling in an English-speaking country." This applies to every applicant without exception. There is no waiver path, no appeal process, and no case-by-case consideration. How to Submit Your TOEFL to CAAPID All TOEFL scores for CAAPID programs are submitted to CAAPID centrally — not to individual schools directly. The institution code for ADEA CAAPID is B451 . Columbia is the exception: Columbia requires NBDE/INBDE scores sent directly to the Columbia admissions office. Columbia's TOEFL submission process should also be confirmed directly with their office. Steps for standard CAAPID TOEFL submission: Take the TOEFL iBT (at a test center for programs requiring in-person testing, or Home Edition where accepted) Request official score report from ETS to institution code B451 (ADEA CAAPID) CAAPID distributes your scores to all programs you've designated Verify receipt in your CAAPID application Status section Timing Warning.

Several programs warn that your application will not be processed — and you should not pay your supplemental fee — until CAAPID has received your official TOEFL scores. Submitting your CAAPID application before your scores arrive creates an incomplete application that stalls your position in rolling admissions. Don't Let Your Interview Undo a Strong TOEFL. Your score gets you reviewed. Your interview gets you admitted. Practice with real CAAPID questions and AI feedback.. Practice Interview Questions. What Competitive TOEFL Scores Actually Look Like The published minimums tell you the floor. The competitive reality is higher. Tier. Programs. Competitive Range (Old). Competitive Range (New). Notes. 1. UCSF, Penn, Columbia, NYU. 100-110+. 5.0-5.5+. Penn's published avg for Jan 2026 entering class was 102. UCSF applicant reports suggest 100+ as de facto floor.. 2. BU, Tufts, USC, Rutgers, UMN, Temple, CU Anschutz. 95-105. 5.0-5.5. BU and

Tufts have lower minimums (90/4.5) but competitive admits typically 100+. Temple requires 5.5.. 3. Loma Linda, Nova SE, UMKC, Howard, Western, Indiana, etc.. 90-100. 4.5-5.0. Western University has the lowest published minimum (79/~4.0).. How to Address a Low TOEFL Score in Your Application and Interview In the Written Application If your TOEFL score is at or near the minimum for programs on your list, your written application needs to overcompensate in every other language-assessed dimension. Your personal statement must be flawlessly written, well-organized, and demonstrate sophisticated command of academic English. If your CAAPID supplemental questions have character limits, use them fully with dense, specific, professionally articulate writing. If there is any space in your application to address the TOEFL score directly — a supplemental note, or a personal statement that naturally addresses communication development — frame it as:

"I recognize my TOEFL score is at the minimum for your program. In the three months since taking the exam, I have [specific professional English engagement] which I believe demonstrates communication ability beyond that score." Retaking Strategically If your score is below 100 on the old scale / 5.0 on the new scale and you're applying to Tier 1 or Tier 2 programs, retaking is worth serious consideration — particularly given the new format's 90-minute duration. Before retaking, verify: Does the program accept MyBest scores? If yes, you can improve any section in isolation. Is your current score within the validity window? If it expires before your target admission date, you must retake regardless. Does the program accept only the most recent score? Dugoni explicitly does — a lower retake score would replace your current score. In the Interview: The "Why Is Your TOEFL Score Low?" Question At programs without a hard minimum (Penn,

Rutgers) or where your score is at the floor (BU, Tufts at 90), this question may surface directly. The right framework: Acknowledge it directly: "I know my TOEFL score is at the lower end of your typical applicant range." Contextualize it honestly: "I took the exam while working full-time / English is my third language and my spoken proficiency has developed much faster than my performance on a standardized test reflects." Provide evidence to the contrary: "This entire conversation is demonstrating the communication ability the TOEFL is designed to assess. My personal statement reflects my written English. I've also been working as a [dental assistant / clinical volunteer] for [X] months, which requires patient communication in English every day." Address it forward: "I'm planning to retake the TOEFL before the next cycle if this application is unsuccessful" or "I've been actively working on the specific sections where I

underperformed." The admissions committee is evaluating whether your real English communication ability matches what the program requires — not whether your test score is perfect. Demonstrating that ability in the interview itself is the most powerful counterargument to a low score. The New TOEFL Format: What It Means for CAAPID Test Takers For applicants who still need to take or retake the TOEFL in 2026, the new format has practical implications: Shorter is both better and harder. The 90-minute format reduces fatigue but each question carries more weight — there is less room to recover from a difficult section early in the test. Adaptive sections require different strategy. Strong performance in the first module leads to harder questions in the second module with a higher score ceiling. Perform at maximum effort from question one. Speaking section completely revised. The new Speaking tasks focus on spontaneous verbal communication

rather than structured academic tasks. For CAAPID applicants who have been practicing dental-professional English in US clinical settings, this change may work in your favor. Score reports during transition period (2026-2028): Both the new 1-6 scale and the old 0-120 equivalent appear on every score report. You do not need to worry about institutions being confused by the new scale. A strong TOEFL score is necessary but not sufficient for CAAPID admission. Once your scores clear the threshold, interview performance becomes the primary differentiating factor. See our complete program comparison to understand how TOEFL fits into the full picture of each program's requirements. Your TOEFL Opens the Door. Your Interview Keeps It Open.. Practice the communication skills the admissions committee is actually evaluating — so your in-person performance demonstrates English proficiency beyond your test score.. Start Practicing Free. ); }; export

default ToeflRequirementsCaapid; What is the TOEFL minimum for CAAPID in general? There is no single minimum — each program sets its own requirement. The most common minimum among major CAAPID programs is 100 on the old 0-120 scale (equivalent to 5.0 on the new 1-6 scale). Some programs (BU, Tufts, UMN) have lower minimums of 90/4.5. A few programs (Penn, Rutgers, Columbia) have no published minimum but expect competitive scores of 95-100+. One program (Western University) has a minimum as low as 79/~4.0. How does the new 1-6 TOEFL scale affect CAAPID applications? ETS changed its scoring system on January 21, 2026. Tests taken on or after that date report scores on a 1-6 band scale instead of 0-120. During the 2026-2028 transition, score reports show both formats. Most CAAPID programs have published both old and new scale minimums. The key conversions: 100 old = 5.0 new; 90 old = 4.5 new. Do all CAAPID programs require TOEFL? Yes — all

CAAPID programs require TOEFL, but several programs have traditionally offered waivers for specific applicant categories (native English speakers, US citizens, applicants who completed dental school in English). Rutgers and CU Anschutz explicitly state no waivers under any circumstances. What is the difference between MyBest scores and regular TOEFL scores? MyBest is a TOEFL feature where ETS reports your highest section score from each of your valid test dates combined, rather than scores from a single sitting. Some CAAPID programs explicitly accept MyBest (BU, UMN, UCSF, CU); others explicitly reject it (NYU, Penn, Dugoni). Verify each program's policy individually. Can I use my old TOEFL score taken before January 2026 for the 2026 cycle? Yes — as long as your score is within the 2-year validity window from your test date. A score taken in February 2024 expires February 2026 — right at the start of the CAAPID cycle. Check your

expiration date before assuming eligibility. What should I do if my TOEFL score is at or near the minimum? Consider retaking under the new shorter format if time allows. Apply to programs with lower minimums (BU at 90/4.5, Western at 79/~4.0) as well as your target programs. If the score comes up in an interview, address it directly with contextual explanation and immediate evidence — use the interview conversation itself to demonstrate the communication ability the TOEFL is designed to assess.