What is a Good TOEFL Score Needed to Study Abroad?

Did you know that the TOEFL exam is accepted by over 13,000 universities across more than 160 countries? As one of the most recognized English proficiency tests globally, achieving a strong TOEFL score can enhance your chances of gaining admission into prestigious institutions and desired programs. This test also demonstrates your ability to succeed in an English-speaking academic environment. With each section focusing on different language skills, it’s essential to understand the score requirements for each. In this blog, we’ll answer the question, ‘What is a good TOEFL score​?’ and provide helpful tips to help you get a good score.

What is the TOEFL Exam?

The TOEFL test is an assessment designed to evaluate the English skill and proficiency level of individuals whose primary language is not English, especially in an academic setting. This test is widely recognized by universities and institutions worldwide, particularly in countries like the US, Canada, and Australia. 

The TOEFL exam pattern focuses on four key skills – reading, speaking, listening, and writing. Each section evaluates a candidate’s ability to perform essential academic tasks, such as understanding lectures, forming opinions, and writing structured essays. The total score combines all sections, providing universities with a comprehensive view of a student’s readiness for an English-speaking academic environment. As such, understanding what a good TOEFL score is, is essential in the admission process for international students wishing to study abroad.

Understanding TOEFL Scores Section Wise

The TOEFL exam provides scores for four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Each section is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, contributing to a total score that ranges from 0 to 120. Each skill is divided into four or five proficiency levels, indicating your English ability.

To help you understand what is a good score on the TOEFL, here is a table showcasing the proficiency levels for each skill based on score ranges:

Skill	Proficiency Level	Score Range
Reading	Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Below Low-Intermediate	4–30 18–23 4–17 0–3
Listening	Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Below Low-Intermediate	22–30 17–21 9–16 0–8
Speaking	Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Basic Below Basic	25–30 20–24 16–19 10–15 0–9
Writing	Advanced High-Intermediate Low-Intermediate Basic Below Basic	24–30 17–23 13–16 7–12 0–6

i. Reading

The reading section evaluates your ability to understand and analyze academic texts. It consists of 3 to 4 passages, each followed by 10 questions, totaling 30 questions. Your raw score is the number of correct answers, which is then converted to a scaled score between 0 and 30. 

The ETS categorizes reading scores into proficiency levels, which can help you understand what is a good score in TOEFL for this section. 

• Advanced (24–30): Demonstrates the ability to understand academic passages at the introductory university level.
• High-Intermediate (18–23): Shows the capacity to understand texts on familiar topics but may struggle with complex academic language.
• Low-Intermediate (4–17): Indicates a limited understanding of academic texts, often requiring additional support.
• Below Low-Intermediate (0–3): Reflects significant challenges in understanding academic reading materials.

Also Read: TOEFL Syllabus

ii. Listening

The listening section measures your ability to understand spoken English in an academic environment. This includes 4 to 6 lectures or conversations, followed by questions that test your comprehension of key points and details. Your raw score, based on the number of correct answers, is then converted to a scaled score between 0 and 30.

The ETS categorizes listening scores into proficiency levels:

• Advanced (22–30): Demonstrates the ability to understand university-level lectures and discussions, including detailed information.
• High-Intermediate (17–21): Shows the ability to understand conversations and lectures but may miss some detailed or complex information.
• Low-Intermediate (9–16): Indicates limited comprehension, especially with difficult or fast content.
• Below Low-Intermediate (0–8): Reflects significant challenges in understanding spoken English in an academic context.

iii. Speaking

The speaking section evaluates your ability to speak English clearly and coherently in academic settings. It includes 4 tasks: 2 independent tasks and 2 integrated tasks, where you must respond to questions based on personal experience or information from reading and listening passages. Your raw score is based on your performance, which is then converted to a scaled score between 0 and 30.

The ETS categorizes speaking scores into proficiency levels:

• Advanced (25–30): Demonstrates clear, fluent speech with minimal errors and the ability to express ideas effectively.
• High-Intermediate (20–24): Shows good control over speech with occasional errors but generally clear and effective communication.
• Low-Intermediate (16–19): Demonstrates some speech clarity but with frequent errors that may interfere with communication.
• Basic (10–15): Indicates significant issues with speech clarity, pronunciation, and fluency, affecting communication.
• Below Basic (0–9): Reflects considerable difficulty in speaking, with major issues in pronunciation and fluency.

iv. Writing

The writing section measures your ability to write in academic English. It consists of two tasks: an integrated task and an independent task. For the integrated task, you summarize information from reading and listening, and in the independent task, you write an essay on any provided topic. Your raw score is calculated from your responses and converted to a scaled score between 0 and 30. 

The ETS categorizes writing scores into proficiency levels, which can help you understand what is a good score in TOEFL for this section. 

• Advanced (24–30): Demonstrates well-organized and detailed writing, with few errors in grammar, structure, and vocabulary.
• High-Intermediate (17–23): Shows clear writing with some errors that do not significantly impact understanding or organization.
• Low-Intermediate (13–16): Indicates some issues with clarity, structure, or grammar, requiring improvement in organization and coherence.
• Basic (7–12): Reflects limited writing ability, with significant errors in grammar, structure, or vocabulary affecting clarity.
• Below Basic (0–6): Shows major challenges in writing, with frequent errors that significantly impair communication.

What is a Good TOEFL Score Out of 120?

Deciding on what is considered a good score on the TOEFL can vary depending on your academic goals and the requirements of the institutions to which you are applying. The TOEFL exam is graded on a scale ranging from 0 to 120, with each of the four sections contributing up to 30 points to the total score. 

Here is a general score range to help you understand what is considered a good TOEFL score out of 120:

• Below 60: This score range indicates a need for significant improvement in English proficiency.
• 60–78: Scores in this range may be acceptable for some institutions but may limit options for competitive programs.
• 79–90: A score within this range is generally considered acceptable for many universities, particularly for undergraduate programs.
• 91–100: This is a competitive score and may meet the admission requirements in a wider range of institutions.
• 101–110: Scoring in this range indicates strong English proficiency and is favorable for admission to many top-tier universities.
• 111–120: Scores above 110 are exceptional and demonstrate a high level of English proficiency, making candidates highly competitive for any program.

Pro Tip: For students considering the best countries for studying abroad, a competitive TOEFL score can enhance their chances of admission.

Tip to Score a Good TOEFL Score

Getting a good TOEFL requires strategic preparation and focused practice. By understanding the test format and enhancing key skills like reading, listening, speaking, and writing, you can achieve a competitive score. 

Here are some effective tips to help you succeed:

• Mastering the Test with Official Resources: Understand the TOEFL test’s structure, time limits, and question types by exploring the official website. Utilize official practice guides and sample questions to familiarize yourself with the test’s format and difficulty. This approach not only reduces anxiety but also enhances your ability to plan and answer efficiently during the exam.
• Enhancing Vocabulary: Expand your academic vocabulary by reading journals, articles, and books. A stronger vocabulary helps you understand complex texts and improves your performance in reading and listening sections.
• Improving Speaking Skills: Record and review your responses to identify areas for improvement in fluency and clarity. Practicing with prompts similar to TOEFL speaking tasks enhances your ability to articulate ideas effectively. Enrolling in an English-speaking course can further refine your speaking skills, providing structured practice and personalized feedback to help you achieve a higher score.
• Strengthening Listening Skills: Listen to English lectures, podcasts, and news reports to improve comprehension of different accents. Focus on understanding key ideas, supporting details, and implied meanings in conversations.
• Mastering Time Management: Practice completing sections within their time limits to maintain steady progress during the test. Allocating enough time to review answers can make a significant difference in your score.
• Reviewing Grammar and Writing Style: Work on grammatical accuracy and essay structure to craft polished responses for the writing section. Practice integrating information from reading and listening passages to strengthen your essays.

Pro Tip: If you are confused about choosing between TOEFL vs. IELTS, both exams assess English proficiency but with different formats. Understanding the test structure and focusing on the specific skills required for each can help you decide which one suits you best.

Ideal TOEFL Scores for Different Courses and Programs

The ideal TOEFL score varies based on the program and level of study you’re applying to. Universities often have different score requirements for undergraduate, graduate, and specialized programs, so it’s important to check the specific criteria for your target program.

Here are the ideal TOEFL scores for various courses and programs to help you understand what is considered a good score on the TOEFL:

Program Level	Course Name	Ideal TOEFL Score Range	Colleges Accepting Scores
Undergraduate	Bachelors in Engineering	80–100	University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)
Graduate (General)	Master’s in Computer Science	90–100	University of Texas University of Michigan
Graduate (Competitive)	MBA	100–110	Harvard University Stanford University
Law/Business Schools	LLM, MBA	100–110	Yale Law School Wharton School of Business
Medical Programs	Medicine	100–110	Johns Hopkins University University of Melbourne
English Proficiency	ESL Programs	80–90	University of Washington University of Toronto

Conclusion

In this blog, we have explored various aspects of the TOEFL exam, including its structure, scoring system, and the significance of achieving a good score. We also examined what makes a good TOEFL score and how it varies based on individual goals and institutional requirements. Knowing “what is a good TOEFL score” can help you set realistic targets as you prepare for the exam and guide your application process to universities around the world. For those preparing to take the TOEFL exam, check out our blog on the TOEFL exam fee breakdown, to help you plan your budget effectively.

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