90–100 is competitive for many strong universities, 80 is accepted by many mid-range programmes, and 100–110 (with section minimums of 22–26) is expected at the most selective. Always use your university's stated requirement.
TOEFL Scoring — How the 0–120 Score Works & What Universities Want
Each TOEFL section is scored 0–30 and the four are added for a total out of 120. Speaking and Writing are graded by a mix of trained human raters and AI. There is no pass or fail — every university sets its own minimum, and many also set a minimum per section.
Understanding the bands helps you set a realistic target and see which section will move your total the most.
Section scores and the total
| Section | Score range |
|---|---|
| Reading | 0–30 |
| Listening | 0–30 |
| Speaking | 0–30 |
| Writing | 0–30 |
| Total | 0–120 |
What a TOEFL score means
| Total score | Level | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 100–120 | Advanced | Most selective universities and scholarships |
| 90–99 | High intermediate | Competitive universities |
| 80–89 | Upper intermediate | Many mid-range programmes |
| 60–79 | Intermediate | Some programmes / pathway or foundation entry |
What score should you aim for?
As a rough guide, competitive universities often ask for 90–100 overall, mid-range programmes accept around 80, and the most selective ask for 100–110 with per-section minimums (commonly 22–26 each). Always use your specific university's published requirement, not a general benchmark.
Check both the overall minimum and any per-section minimum before you set your target — a strong total can still be rejected if one section falls below the university's floor.
Frequently asked questions
Many set both an overall minimum and a per-section minimum, so a high total with one weak section can still fall short. Check the exact requirement for each programme.
Scores are typically released within about 4–8 days of the test and can then be sent to the universities you choose.
Not sure what score you need?
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