What is a good TOEFL score for USA?

A good TOEFL score for the U.S. depends heavily on the university, but generally, 100+ is considered strong for top schools, while 80-90 meets requirements for many universities, and scores as low as 60-70 are sometimes accepted by community colleges or less competitive programs; always check your specific university's minimum requirements, as competitive programs often look for 105-110+ or specific section scores.

What is the average TOEFL score in the US?

The mean score (overall) is 86 points. That's a one-point drop from last year. The mean reading score is 21.9 (-0.4), the mean listening score is 22.1 (-0.2), the mean speaking score is 20.8 (-0.1), and the mean writing score is 21.1 (-0.1).

What is considered a good TOEFL score?

Here's the quick answer: A good TOEFL score on the new 1-6 scale is 5.0 or higher—competitive for most graduate programs and top universities. On the old 0-120 scale (for tests taken before January 21, 2026), 100+ was the benchmark for a good TOEFL score.

How rare is 120 in TOEFL?

A score of 120 on the TOEFL is the maximum possible score, meaning it's the rarest and best score, placing you in the 100th percentile (perfect) for all test-takers, indicating exceptional English proficiency, often required for top-tier universities or competitive programs. While not incredibly common, it's a realistic goal for highly proficient non-native speakers, with many scoring in the 100-115 range for excellent results, but 120 signifies absolute mastery.
 

Is 72 a good TOEFL score?

A TOEFL score of 72 is considered intermediate to high-intermediate, generally meeting minimum requirements for many universities but falling short of competitive scores for top-tier programs, placing you in the B2 CEFR level (72-94). While some colleges accept scores in this range (around 70-80), you might need higher scores (90+) for more selective undergraduate or graduate programs, often with specific section minimums. 

TOEFL 2025 vs. TOEFL 2026: Which is Easier? How to Prepare?

Is it easy to get 79 in TOEFL?

According to official TOEFL percentiles for all test takers, a TOEFL 79 score falls in around the 38th percentile for all students, placing it just below the "good" threshold.

Is TOEFL harder than IELTS?

TOEFL: Might be challenging due to its multiple-choice format and emphasis on academic English. IELTS: Can be difficult due to the variety of question types and the face-to-face speaking component.

Is TOEFL 110 a C1?

Most universities require a B2 score (87-109 points), while highly competitive institutions may expect C1 (110+) scores.

What is a passing TOEFL score?

There's no universal TOEFL passing score; each university or institution sets its own minimum requirements, typically ranging from 60 to 100+ for total scores, with many competitive schools requiring around 100 and specific section minimums. A "passing" score is simply one that meets the specific thresholds for the programs you're applying to, so you must check with each school's admissions page. 

What is IELTS 7 equal to TOEFL?

For example, an IELTS score of 5.5 would correspond to TOEFL scores of 46 to 59; an IELTS score of 6.0 would correspond to TOEFL scores of 60 to 78; an IELTS score of 6.5 would correspond to TOEFL scores of 79 to 93; an IELTS score of 7.0 would correspond to TOEFL scores of 94 to 101; and so forth.

How much TOEFL score is required for US universities?

USA TOEFL Score Requirements

As a result, TOEFL score requirements vary significantly from 70 to 110. This range is based on university rankings. Top ranked universities such as Harvard, Stanford and MIT require scores of 90 to 100+ depending on the course, with strong section scores throughout.

What is a perfect TOEFL score?

Currently, the TOEFL test uses four scaled section scores and a total score. Each section has a score range of 0-30, which are added together for a total score of 0-120.

What is the minimum TOEFL score for Yale?

The TOEFL code number for the Yale School of Art is 3982. Candidates for admission generally achieve a composite Internet-based test score of at least 100, or a computer-based score of at least 250, with speaking and listening scores of at least 28.

Is 570 a good TOEFL score?

A TOEFL score of 570 is generally considered good, especially for the older Paper-Based Test (PBT), often meeting requirements for many universities, but its "goodness" depends on the specific institution, with top-tier schools needing higher scores (around 600+ PBT or 100+ iBT) while 570 can be sufficient for many large public or mid-tier private universities like UCLA or Vanderbilt. It's roughly equivalent to an 83-85 on the newer iBT (Internet-Based Test), placing it around the 50th percentile, meaning you've outperformed half the test-takers.
 

Is TOEFL difficult to pass?

Yes, the TOEFL is generally considered a challenging test, even for advanced English speakers, because it assesses specific academic English skills under timed conditions, focusing on structure, vocabulary, and integrated skills (like listening and writing) rather than general fluency, though its difficulty depends heavily on your current proficiency and familiarity with the test format. While the reading and listening can be manageable if you consume English media, the integrated speaking and writing tasks, plus the specific academic vocabulary, often trip people up, making preparation crucial. 

Which test is better for US universities?

You may have heard that colleges in some states prefer the SAT while others favor the ACT, but this isn't true. Colleges don't have a preference. All colleges that accept or require an admission test accept the SAT.

Which English test is the hardest?

Cambridge Exams

The Cambridge exam suite is the most difficult English test to understand because it is actually a set of several tests for different skill levels and student profiles.

How long is a TOEFL score valid?

Your scores are valid for 2 years after your test date. During that time, you can order additional score reports, through your ETS account, for a fee of US$25 per institution/agency. For more details about ordering additional score reports, see the TOEFL iBT® Information Bulletin (PDF).

Is TOEFL 100 a C1?

Yes, a TOEFL iBT score of 100 is solidly in the C1 (Advanced) range on the CEFR scale, typically starting at 95, though some universities may look for C1/C2 level (95+) or even higher for top programs. A score of 95-109 generally maps to C1, indicating advanced proficiency for academic study, while scores above 110 start entering the C2 (Mastery) level.