A 1.5 is the upper half of CEFR A1. You are understanding some everyday English, but not yet reliably enough for the test to credit you with A2 — the level of simple, routine exchanges.
Band 1.5 still reports CEFR A1. The difference from 1.0 is that some items are landing: familiar words in short texts, very simple questions, perhaps a few complete sentences in the written responses. What is missing is consistency across a whole section.
At this level the adaptive design of Reading and Listening matters. Both sections start with a routing stage; a test taker at 1.5 will usually be routed to the lower module, which contains more everyday material. That is not a penalty — it is the test pitching questions at a level where it can measure you accurately.
Like 1.0, a 1.5 falls below the minimum for degree study almost everywhere. It may be enough for placement into a beginner class at a language school. If a program you are considering lists a TOEFL requirement, it will almost certainly be higher; confirm on the institution’s own admissions page.
Three of the twelve task types reward exactly the skills that move fastest at this level. Complete the Words asks you to restore partly hidden words — easy points once common words are automatic. Build a Sentence asks you to put words into a correct sentence, which rewards knowing basic word order. Listen and Repeat rewards hearing short sentences accurately.
None of these require long reading or advanced ideas, which makes them the best place to start collecting points. Ten minutes a day on each is more useful than one long weekly session.
Moving up half a band in a section usually comes down to one or two task types. On the old 0–30 section scale, 2.0 begins at 3 in Reading, 4 in Listening, 10 in Speaking, 7 in Writing.
Band 2 readers understand the purpose of a short everyday notice or message — what is happening, when, and what to do — not just individual words.
Band 2 listeners can follow a short, slow exchange about a routine situation (buying something, asking the time) and choose a reply that fits.
Band 2 speakers repeat short sentences with most words intact and answer interview questions in short connected sentences, even with errors.
Band 2 writers build simple sentences correctly and write a short email that clearly covers at least part of what the task asks.
Aimed at moving from 1.5 toward 2.0. Each week assumes five or six short sessions; adjust the order if one section is clearly your weakest. For a full schedule, see the 1-month TOEFL study plan.
Practice every 2026 task type
Short lessons and timed practice for all twelve TOEFL task types, free to start.
One half band down: TOEFL 1.0. One half band up: TOEFL 2.0. See how all eleven bands line up with CEFR in the TOEFL CEFR levels guide.
Official pages checked for this guide. Last reviewed October 2026.