Score guide · 6 min read
TOEFL iBT score guide: from 80 to 110
TOEFL iBT is scored 0–120, with each of the four sections scored 0–30. Here is what each score band typically means and what target universities expect.
How each section is scored
- Reading (0–30): Raw correct count converted to scaled score based on item difficulty.
- Listening (0–30): Same model — raw correct count converted to a scaled score.
- Speaking (0–30): Four tasks rated 0–4 by human raters plus AI, averaged and scaled.
- Writing (0–30): Two tasks rated 0–5, scaled to 0–30.
What scores universities ask for
| Total score | Typical institutions |
|---|---|
| 61 – 78 | Many community colleges and bridge programs. |
| 79 – 89 | Most undergraduate programs in the US, Canada, and the UK. |
| 90 – 100 | Many graduate programs and selective undergraduate programs. |
| 100 – 110 | Most graduate programs at competitive universities. |
| 110+ | Top-tier graduate programs and scholarship requirements. |
Per-section minimums to plan for
Many programs add a minimum per section — commonly 20 in each. A 95 total with a 17 in Speaking can still fail an admissions requirement. Always check your target program.
Rough lift expectations
A focused 30-day plan can typically lift candidates by 4–10 points if they have time for daily practice and address their weakest sections directly. Larger lifts usually need 8–12 weeks of consistent work. There are no guarantees — your starting point, time available, and study discipline matter more than any platform.
