Introduction
Your TOEFL score is a key entry point to your dream university in the cutthroat world of international higher education. Knowing what a “good” TOEFL score is matters now more than ever, as thousands of students compete for a small number of spots at elite universities. A strong TOEFL score doesn’t just demonstrate your English proficiency; it’s often the deciding factor that separates accepted candidates from those placed on waiting lists. In 2025, as universities continue to refine their admission standards and international applications surge, knowing the exact score ranges that top institutions expect can mean the difference between securing your spot at a world-class university and having to settle for less competitive alternatives.
Whether you’re targeting Ivy League schools, prestigious public universities, or specialized programs, this comprehensive guide will decode the TOEFL scoring system and reveal the specific benchmarks that admissions committees at top universities are looking for.
Understanding TOEFL Score Range
The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) scores each of the four sections, i.e., Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing, on a scale of 0-30, with a total score range of 0-120. Here’s a breakdown of the scoring criteria for each section:
- Reading: Evaluates how well you comprehend and interpret academic reading materials.
- Advanced: 24-30
- High-Intermediate: 18-23
- Low-Intermediate: 4-17
- Below Low-Intermediate: 0-3
- Listening: Tests your understanding of spoken English in academic discussions and lectures.
- Advanced: 22-30
- High-Intermediate: 17-21
- Low-Intermediate: 9-16
- Below Low-Intermediate: 0-8
- Speaking: Assesses your ability to communicate clearly and effectively in spoken English within academic environments.
- Advanced: 25-30
- High-Intermediate: 20-24
- Low-Intermediate: 16-19
- Basic: 10-15
- Below Basic: 0-9
- Writing: Measures your skill in writing English appropriately for academic purposes.
- Advanced: 24-30
- High-Intermediate: 17-23
- Low-Intermediate: 13-16
- Basic: 7-12
- Below Basic: 0-6.
Interpreting TOEFL Exam Results
When you get your TOEFL score report, you might see a bunch of numbers that seem to hold the key to your academic future. It’s not enough to just know if you’ve met a university’s minimum requirements to understand these scores. Your score report tells the story of your journey to learn English and gives you useful information that can help you plan your application.
Your TOEFL iBT score report provides four scaled section scores and a total score, with each section ranging from 0-30 and the total score ranging from 0-120. As mentioned above, each skill is categorized into four or five proficiency levels based on your score range. There are no universal passing or failing scores set by the TOEFL Program or ETS. Each institution sets its own score requirements. This means what constitutes a “good” score depends entirely on your target university’s specific requirements.
MyBest Scores Feature
All TOEFL iBT score reports display both your traditional scores from your selected test date and your MyBest scores. MyBest scores combine your highest section scores from all valid TOEFL iBT tests taken within the past two years, potentially giving you a competitive advantage. An increasing number of universities and other institutions accept MyBest scores, though it’s recommended to verify this with your target institutions directly.
Scoring Process
TOEFL tests are scored exclusively by a centralized scoring network, never at the test center. The Reading and Listening sections are scored by computer, while the Speaking and Writing sections use a combination of AI scoring and multiple highly trained human raters. This dual approach ensures accuracy, minimizes bias, and maintains consistent quality standards across all test administrations.
Score Report Format
Score reports feature a modern, visually intuitive design, and you can download a PDF copy from your ETS account. This enhanced format makes it easier to understand your performance across all four skills and share your results with institutions.
TOEFL Score Percentiles
| Scale Score | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing | Total Scale Score | Percentile Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 30 | 91 | 93 | 98 | 99 | 120 | 100 |
| 29 | 82 | 85 | 97 | 98 | 116 | 99 |
| 28 | 74 | 77 | 94 | 94 | 112 | 96 |
| 27 | 67 | 70 | 91 | 88 | 108 | 91 |
| 26 | 61 | 63 | 88 | 83 | 104 | 83 |
| 25 | 55 | 56 | 82 | 76 | 100 | 73 |
| 24 | 49 | 49 | 76 | 67 | 96 | 63 |
| 23 | 43 | 44 | 62 | 59 | 92 | 53 |
| 22 | 38 | 38 | 51 | 50 | 88 | 44 |
| 21 | 33 | 33 | 42 | 39 | 84 | 37 |
| 20 | 29 | 28 | 35 | 29 | 80 | 30 |
| 19 | 25 | 24 | 27 | 23 | 76 | 24 |
| 18 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 72 | 19 |
| 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 14 | 68 | 15 |
| 16 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 64 | 12 |
| 15 | 13 | 12 | 8 | 9 | 60 | 9 |
| 14 | 11 | 10 | 6 | 6 | 56 | 7 |
| 13 | 9 | 8 | 4 | 5 | 52 | 5 |
| 12 | 7 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 48 | 4 |
| 11 | 6 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 44 | 3 |
| 10 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 40 | 2 |
| 9 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 36 | 1 |
| 8 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 32 | 1 |
| 7 | 2 | 2 | 1 | . | 28 | . |
| 6 | 2 | 1 | 1 | . | 24 | . |
| 5 | 1 | 1 | . | . | 20 | . |
| 4 | 1 | 1 | . | . | 16 | . |
| 3 | 1 | . | . | . | 12 | . |
| 2 | . | . | . | . | 8 | . |
| 1 | . | . | . | . | 4 | . |
| 0 | . | . | . | . | 0 | . |
Validating TOEFL Scores
- The test is AI- and human-rated, ensuring objective and fair evaluation.
- Score reports reflect performance in each section, enabling universities to set specific cutoffs for programs that demand a high level of English competence.
- Scores are valid for two years, allowing flexibility for admissions across multiple application cycles.
| University | TOEFL Requirement |
|---|---|
| University of Oxford | 100 overall |
| University of Cambridge | 100 overall |
| Imperial College London | 100 overall with a minimum of 22 in all elements |
| University College London | 72–110 overall (program-specific requirements) |
| University of Edinburgh | 100 overall |
| University of Manchester | 100 overall with a minimum of 22 in each section |
| Durham University | 88 overall with a minimum of 22 in each section |
Conclusion
Frequently Asked Questions
The 500 score is for the old TOEFL PBT (Paper-Based Test), which is no longer available. It is about 88–90 on the TOEFL iBT scale, which is a good score for undergraduate and postgraduate admissions in English-speaking countries. This score is about the same as 6.5–7.0 bands in IELTS, so it is good enough for most universities in the UK, Canada, Ireland, and even some in the US, especially for general academic programs that aren't very competitive.
Yes, 120 is the highest possible score on the TOEFL iBT, and it represents a perfect score. Achieving this places you in the top 1% globally, making you highly competitive for any university or program worldwide, including Ivy League institutions and top-tier graduate schools.
A score of 95 on the TOEFL iBT is good and is usually enough for a lot of Master's and Bachelor's programs in the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and even a lot of US universities. However, for highly competitive programs, you may be expected to score 100 or above.
Not at all. A TOEFL score of 98 is higher than average and indicates strong English proficiency. Though it may be just below the 100+ requirement set by some of the top programs, it is still adequate for the vast majority of schools across the globe. It indicates a good command of academic English and is more than adequate for most master's and bachelor's programs.