TOEFL Score Range: Descriptors, Percentiles, and Score for Top Universities

Updated on, Jul 3, 2025

byShubhankar Das Content Writer - Study Abroad

TOEFL score ranges on a scale of 0 to 120 for the internet-based exam. The overall TOEFL test score range is the total of the four section scores. Suppose you got 27 in reading, 21 in listening, 25 in writing, and 23 in speaking, your total score will be 96 out of 120. A 100+ score out of 120 is considered a good TOEFL score range. Every TOEFL score range describes different proficiency levels. Generally, TOEFL score range above 25 is considered an advanced proficiency level. The updated TOEFL score report provides your proficiency level for each section of the test.

TOEFL_Score_Range

Table of contents

iBT and PBT Score Conversions
Score Range
Score Range Descriptors
Percentiles
Score Range for Top Universities

TOEFL iBT and PBT Score Conversions

For instance, you earned a 570 on the TOEFL PBT and you want to know your percentile rank. If you look to see where 570 lands on the iBT/PBT conversion chart, you can see that a PBT score of 550 – 589 is equivalent to a 79 – 95 on the iBT. 570 lies in the lower end of the spectrum, so it’s probably about equal to an 83 – 85 on the iBT. The 50th percentile for an iBT is 84, which is right in the middle of our range. A PBT score of 570, therefore, is approximately the 50th percentile. Here is the information about the internet based TOEFL score range and iBT/PBT conversion score chart below:

iBT Total Score	PBT Total Score
111 – 120	640 – 677
96 – 110	590 – 639
79 – 95	550 – 589
65 – 78	513 – 549
53 – 64	477 – 512
41 – 52	437 – 476
30 – 40	397 – 436
19 – 29	347 – 396
6 – 18	311 – 346
0 -5	310

TOEFL Exam Score Range

The range TOEFL iBT score varies for individual levels. Here are each skill that has 4 or 5 proficiency levels, so where your score falls within that range tells you your proficiency for that skill.

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

TOEFL Score Range Descriptors

TOEFL score range descriptors provided the overall performance level of the candidates. It should be understood that each of the 4 sections has distinct iBT TOEFL score ranges and the qualities to achieve that score are also stated.

TOEFL Reading Score Range Descriptors:

TOEFL Listening Score Range Descriptors:

TOEFL Speaking Score Range Descriptors:

TOEFL Writing Score Range Descriptors:

TOEFL Score Range Percentiles

Percentile rankings show how well you performed on the test compared to everyone else who took the TOEFL. For instance, if you scored in the 40th percentile, which means you scored higher than 40% of everyone who took the test and lower than 60% of all the people who took the test. And if you scored in the 80th percentile, then you did better than 80% of everyone who took the test. Here is the table is given below of the percentile ranks of the TOEFL iBT, both for the scaled scores of each iBT section and for total iBT TOEFL scores:

Percentile Rank	Reading Score	Listening Score	Speaking Score	Writing Score	Total Score
10th	11	11	15	14	52
25th	17	16	18	18	68
50th	22	21	21	22	84
75th	26	26	24	25	97
90th	29	29	27	27	106

TOEFL Score Range for US Universities

According to a US News article, the average TOEFL test scores range for top US universities is 78. Here is a list of US universities and the score range to achieve their preferred universities’ TOEFL cutoffs.

University	TOEFL iBT Score
Imperial College London	100
Harvard University	105
Columbia University	100
California Institute of Technology	100
Duke University	100
Stanford University	100
Oxford University	100-110
University of Cambridge	100
University College London	79
King’s College, London	100
Edinburgh University	92
University of Toronto	89
University of British Columbia	90
McGill University	100
University of Montreal	86
University of Alberta	100
LMU Munich	80
Technical University of Munich	88
Northwestern University	95
Brown University	105

According to percentile rankings, a 90th percentile is considered a good TOEFL score.While most universities consider the total score, some universities look at individual section scores, especially TOEFL speaking. A balanced TOEFL score range shows proficiency across all skills. Universities will look at other aspects of your application for admission if your TOEFL score is slightly below their requirement. Your LOR, GPA, and other preferences will have a greater impact on your application.

FAQs

Ques: What is the TOEFL score range?

Ans: TOEFL iBT test is scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points. TOEFL PBT score ranges on a scale of 310–677.

Ques: How are the individual sections scored?

Ans: TOEFL has four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing, and each of the sections is scored from 0 to 30 points.

Ques: What is the overall score calculated from?

Ans: The overall TOEFL score is the sum of the four section scores. Suppose you achieve 25 in reading, 23 in listening, 21 in writing, and 26 in speaking, then your total score will be 95 out of 120.

Ques: Is there a passing score for the TOEFL?

Ans: There is no passing score or failing score in TOEFL. Universities set their score requirements, and you must achieve the required score for a successful admission process.

Ques: Where can I find my TOEFL scores?

Ans: Your TOEFL score report will be available on your ETS account within 4 to 8 days after your test date. The exact date you can receive your score will be displayed at the end of your TOEFL iBT test.

Ques: What do the individual section scores mean?

Ans: ETS provides proficiency levels associated with each score range to understand your English language skill level of reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

Ques: Is a higher score in one section better than a balanced score?

Ans: While most universities consider the total score, some universities look at individual section scores, especially TOEFL speaking. A balanced score shows proficiency across all skills.

Ques: How can I improve my score in a specific section?

Ans: Many resources are available online and offline for effective exam preparation. And through ETS official website you can prepare for each section of the TOEFL.

Ques: Where can I find the TOEFL score requirements for a specific university?

Ans: Universities set their own score requirements, you can check TOEFL cut off requirements by visiting the university's official website.

Ques: What is a good TOEFL score?

Ans: A good TOEFL score depends on the university you are applying to. Generally, achieving a score of 100+ will help you to get admission to some of the top-ranked universities worldwide.

Ques: Can I get into a university with a lower TOEFL score?

Ans: Universities will look at other aspects of your application for admission if your TOEFL score is slightly below their requirement. Your LOR, GPA, and other preferences will have a greater impact on your application.

Ques: How can I send my TOEFL scores to universities?

Ans: During TOEFL registration process, you can choose 4 universities to send your scores. After receiving the score, you can send your score to the universities by paying additional fees.

Ques: Can I send my scores after I take the test?

Ans: You can also send your scores to universities after the test for a fee. During registration, you can select up to 4 universities to send your scores.

Ques: How long are TOEFL scores valid for?

Ans: TOEFL scores are generally valid for two years from the test date. You must send your scores to the universities within this valid time frame.

Ques: What are some alternatives to the TOEFL?

Ans: Some universities accept alternative tests like the Duolingo English Test, Pearson Test of English (PTE), or IELTS for the admission process. Check the university's official website for the specific score requirements.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.