TOEFL Highest Score: Score Range, List of Accepting Universities in Canada, Australia, UK and USA

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.

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

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