How ETS Distinguishes Band 24 from Band 26 Speaking Responses

The difference between a TOEFL Speaking score of 24 and 26 often puzzles test-takers. Both represent strong performance. Both indicate solid English proficiency. Yet the gap between them can affect university admissions and scholarship eligibility.

This forensic analysis examines exactly what distinguishes these score bands, using TOEFL speaking sample answers characteristics to identify the specific factors that determine placement.

Understanding the Scoring Context

TOEFL Speaking scores range from 0-30. Individual task responses receive holistic scores from 0-4, which are converted and combined into the final scaled score.

A score of 24 typically corresponds to average task ratings around 3 (Good). A score of 26 corresponds to ratings closer to 3.5-4 (Good to Limited Fair/Excellent).

The distinction lies in consistency and refinement across multiple dimensions.

Delivery Differences

At Band 24: Good with Occasional Lapses

Delivery at 24 is generally clear and intelligible. Speakers maintain reasonable pace and demonstrate adequate pronunciation. However:

• Occasional hesitations disrupt flow
• Some pronunciation inconsistencies appear under pressure
• Intonation may flatten during complex explanations
• Minor disfluencies occur at transition points

These lapses do not prevent understanding but signal effortful processing.

At Band 26: Sustained Flow

Delivery at 26 maintains quality throughout the response. Speakers demonstrate:

• Consistent pace without significant hesitation
• Clear pronunciation even with sophisticated vocabulary
• Natural intonation patterns that signal meaning
• Smooth transitions between ideas

The key difference: 24 delivers well most of the time; 26 delivers well nearly all the time.

What This Sounds Like

Band 24 delivery: "The main advantage is... um... efficiency. Students can—can learn at their own pace, which means... uh... they don't waste time."

Band 26 delivery: "The primary advantage is efficiency. Students can calibrate their learning pace to personal needs, eliminating the time waste inherent in one-size-fits-all instruction."

Same idea, but the 26-level delivery is smoother and more confident.

Language Use Differences

At Band 24: Adequate Range with Some Limitations

Language at 24 demonstrates good vocabulary and grammar control. Speakers use varied structures and appropriate words. However:

• Some word choices are functional but not precise
• Complex structures occasionally show minor errors
• Academic register is present but inconsistent
• Vocabulary range is adequate but not impressive

Reviewing TOEFL sample speaking answers at this level reveals language that works but does not shine.

At Band 26: Consistent Sophistication

Language at 26 demonstrates strong command with minimal errors. Speakers show:

• Precise vocabulary that conveys exact meanings
• Complex structures executed cleanly
• Consistent academic register throughout
• Natural collocations and idiomatic expressions

The key difference: 24 communicates effectively; 26 communicates effectively with sophistication.

What This Sounds Like

Band 24 language: "Technology has changed education a lot. Students can access many resources online, which helps them learn better."

Band 26 language: "Technology has fundamentally transformed educational access. Students can pursue coursework from institutions they could never physically attend, breaking geographical barriers that once limited opportunity."

The 26-level response uses more precise vocabulary ("fundamentally transformed" vs. "changed a lot") and develops the idea more specifically.

Topic Development Differences

At Band 24: Adequate Development

Development at 24 addresses prompts appropriately. Speakers provide relevant content with some elaboration. However:

• Ideas are present but not fully developed
• Examples may be vague or generic
• Reasoning stops at surface level
• Connections between points are basic

At Band 26: Substantive Development

Development at 26 goes deeper. Speakers demonstrate:

• Ideas developed with specific reasoning
• Concrete, detailed examples
• Exploration of implications and connections
• Logical progression that builds argument

The key difference: 24 addresses the topic; 26 develops it.

What This Sounds Like

Band 24 development: "Group study is beneficial because you can learn from others. Different people have different ideas, so you get more perspectives. This helps you understand the topic better."

Band 26 development: "Group study provides something solo work cannot: immediate feedback on your understanding. When you explain a concept to peers, their questions reveal gaps you didn't know you had. I discovered this in my economics study group—teaching others forced me to examine assumptions I'd made without realizing."

The 26-level response develops through specific mechanism explanation and concrete personal example.

Integrated Task Differences

At Band 24: Adequate Synthesis

For Integrated tasks, 24-level responses:

• Cover main points from both sources
• Show basic understanding of relationships
• May miss some nuance or detail
• Present information somewhat separately

At Band 26: Strong Synthesis

At 26, responses:

• Capture essential content accurately
• Explicitly connect reading and listening information
• Include relevant supporting details
• Present integrated, coherent synthesis

What This Sounds Like

Band 24 synthesis: "The reading says the university will extend library hours. The student agrees. She says she studies at night and the current hours don't work for her schedule."

Band 26 synthesis: "The student strongly supports the proposed hour extension because it addresses a real access problem—as someone who works during the day, the current closing time eliminates her primary study window. She specifically notes that the library's resources can't be accessed online, making physical access essential."

The 26-level response integrates the speaker's situation with the specific proposal and explains why it matters.

The Accumulation Effect

The difference between 24 and 26 is rarely one dramatic factor. Instead, it is the accumulation of small differences across all dimensions:

• Slightly smoother delivery
• Slightly more precise vocabulary
• Slightly deeper development
• Slightly tighter synthesis
• Slightly fewer minor errors

Each difference alone is subtle. Together, they create a qualitatively different response.

Analyzing Your Own Responses

To identify where you fall and what to improve, analyze your TOEFL speaking samples with answers against these specific criteria:

Delivery Analysis

• Count hesitations per response
• Note where disfluencies occur (openings? transitions? complex content?)
• Assess pronunciation consistency throughout
• Evaluate intonation naturalness

Language Analysis

• List sophisticated vocabulary used
• Note any grammatical errors
• Assess register consistency
• Identify vague vs. precise word choices

Development Analysis

• Evaluate depth of reasoning (surface vs. developed)
• Assess example specificity
• Check for logical progression
• Identify where development stops prematurely

Closing the Gap

Strategy 1: Target Consistency

If you deliver well sometimes but falter at others, focus on maintaining quality throughout. Practice sustaining performance across entire responses, not just strong openings.

Strategy 2: Upgrade Vocabulary Deliberately

Identify 20-30 sophisticated alternatives to common words you overuse. Practice until these upgrades feel natural. Target precision, not impressiveness.

Strategy 3: Develop Development

After every assertion, practice explaining "why" and "how." Build the habit of going deeper rather than moving to the next point.

Strategy 4: Practice Integration, Not Just Summary

For Integrated tasks, practice explicitly connecting sources rather than summarizing separately. Use phrases like "This addresses the reading's claim that..." or "The example demonstrates how..."

What Does Not Distinguish 24 from 26

Some factors that test-takers believe matter actually do not differentiate these bands:

• Perfect grammar: Both bands allow minor errors
• Impressive vocabulary: Precision matters more than impressiveness
• Speaking speed: Appropriate pace at both levels
• Number of points: Development depth matters more than quantity
• Accent: Intelligibility, not native-like accent, is evaluated

The Mindset Shift

Moving from 24 to 26 requires shifting from "adequate" to "refined":

• From clear enough → consistently clear
• From appropriate words → precise words
• From addressing topics → developing topics
• From covering content → synthesizing content

This shift is not about learning new skills but about executing existing skills at a higher level more consistently.

Conclusion

The gap between TOEFL Speaking scores of 24 and 26 reflects accumulated differences in delivery smoothness, language precision, development depth, and synthesis quality. Neither band represents weakness—both indicate strong English proficiency. But the consistent refinement across dimensions that characterizes 26 creates a qualitatively different response.

When analyzing TOEFL speaking sample answers at different levels, look for these accumulated differences rather than single dramatic factors. Then target your practice toward consistency and refinement in the specific dimensions where your responses fall short of 26-level quality.

The path from 24 to 26 is not learning new material—it is polishing what you already do well until you do it well consistently throughout every response.