People take the TOEFL exam for various reasons, such as university admission, professional requirements, immigration, and others. The average total TOEFL score varies based on the intended purpose.
More than 11,000 universities in over 150 countries accept TOEFL scores, with US universities favouring them for admission. It is the most commonly used test and easily accessible, with 4,000 test centres worldwide offered by ETS across 150 countries.
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What is the Typical TOEFL Score on Average?
In 2020, undergraduate students achieved an average TOEFL score of 86, comprising 22 each in reading and listening, and 21 in writing and speaking. It’s important to note that the individual section scores don’t precisely sum up to the overall average due to rounding.
On the other hand, graduate-level test-takers obtained higher average scores. The collective mean score reached 90, with 23 in reading and listening, and 22 in speaking and writing sections.
Also Read: TOEFL iBT Speaking Score: Section-Wise Scoring
TOEFL Highest Score Range
To achieve the highest TOEFL test score, a test-taker must focus on enhancing their performance in each of the four sections. The total TOEFL score is calculated by summing up the scores from all these sections.
For instance, if a candidate obtains 29 in TOEFL reading and 30 in the remaining three sections, their cumulative score will be 119. ETS has established descriptors for each range of TOEFL scores, allowing candidates to assess their skill levels.
Provided below is the table containing the descriptors for TOEFL scores:
TOEFL Section | Highest Score |
Reading | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (18–23) Low-Intermediate (4–17) |
Speaking | Advanced (25–30) High-Intermediate (20–24) Low-Intermediate (16–19) |
Listening | Advanced (22–30) High-Intermediate (17–21) Low-Intermediate (9–16) |
Writing | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (17–23) Low-Intermediate (13–16) |
The information provided in the table suggests that candidates who attain scores in the advanced range on the TOEFL are highly skilled. Many prestigious universities, including the Ivy Leagues, seek similar scores.
The next level is high-intermediate, indicating slightly lower proficiency than advanced. Performance gradually declines to levels below basic or low-intermediate. The top TOEFL iBT score range corresponds to the advanced level.
TOEFL Accepting Universities
As TOEFL is generally accepted by the majority of the international universities situated in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand, here is a list of some of the top universities where TOEFL is accepted.
United States
Mentioned below is a list of universities that accept the TOEFL score:
University Name | Average TOEFL Score |
Harvard University | Scores may vary as per the field of study |
Princeton University | Approximately – 108 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 100 |
Chicago University | Minimum 100 and above |
University of Columbia | Approximately – 100 |
Duke university | 80 to 90 |
Stanford University | 90 to 100 |
California Institute of Technology | 80 to 90 |
Yale University | Approximately – 100 |
Northwestern University | Approximately – 90 |
United Kingdom
Mentioned below is a list of universities that accept the TOEFL score:
University Name | Average TOEFL Score |
Oxford University | 110 |
University College London | 100 |
Cambridge University | Approximately – 110 |
University of Leeds | Undergraduate- 83Postgraduate-92 |
Manchester University | Approximately – 100 |
King’s College, London | Approximately – 75 |
Imperial College London | Approximately – 85 |
Edinburgh University | 100 |
Manchester Metropolitan University | 80 to 90 |
Warwick University | 92 |
Durham University | 88 to 22 |
Also Read: TOEFL 6 Month Preparation Plan: Tips and Tricks
Canada
Mentioned below is a list of universities that accept the TOEFL score:
University Name | Average TOEFL Score o |
Alberta University | Undergraduate – 100Graduate – 100 |
Ottawa University | Minimum – 100 |
Calgary University | 110 |
McGill University | Undergraduate – 100Graduate – 86 |
McMaster University | Undergraduate – 86Graduate – 92 |
University of Toronto | Undergraduate – 110Graduate – 95 |
University of British Columbia | Minimum – 90 |
Australia
Mentioned below is a list of universities that accept the TOEFL score:
University Name | Average TOEFL Score |
Melbourne University | Minimum – 79 |
University of Sydney | Minimum – 96 |
University of Queensland | Approximately – 87 |
Australian National University | Minimum – 100 |
UNSW Sydney | Minimum – 90 |
Monash University | Minimum – 94 |
RMIT University | Minimum – 79 marks |
Sydney University of Technology | Approximately – 110 |
University of Western Australia | Minimum – 82 |
The University of Adelaide | Minimum – 79 |
New Zealand
Mentioned below is a list of universities that accept the TOEFL score:
University Name | Average TOEFL Score |
Canterbury University | Minimum – 80 |
Auckland University | Minimum – 80 |
Otago University | Minimum – 80 |
Auckland University of Technology | Minimum – 80 |
University of Waikato | Minimum – 80 |
Victoria University | Minimum – 90 |
FAQs
A typical TOEFL score hovers around 90, ranging from 85 to 95. Achieving a score above 100 is deemed satisfactory. It’s important for candidates to recognize that there aren’t inherently “good” or “bad” scores in the TOEFL exam, and test takers should refrain from fixating on this notion.
Research indicates that a majority of countries accept a minimum TOEFL score of 78.1 for admission to educational institutions globally. Students who attain this score often secure enrollment in various academies and establishments around the world. Therefore, it’s crucial for students to commence their preparations well in advance.
Individuals who have taken the TOEFL test are provided with four scaled scores for different sections as well as a cumulative score. Each section is assigned a score within the range of 0 to 30, which is then combined to yield a total score ranging from 0 to 120.
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