The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is crucial for admission into English-speaking universities worldwide, making a good TOEFL score all the more important.
A strong TOEFL score can open doors to numerous educational and professional opportunities.
The TOEFL iBT comprises four main sections – Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section is graded on a scale of 0 – 30, resulting in a maximum TOEFL score of 120.
If you want to know how to set and reach your target TOEFL score, this article is for you!
Here is a quick breakdown of what we will discuss in this article:
TOEFL Score Facts
- Austria achieved the highest average TOEFL score in 2022, with an impressive composite score of 101.
- Togo had the lowest TOEFL score in the same year, with an average score of 60.
- The global average composite TOEFL score in 2021 and 2022 was 88.
- The average TOEFL scores for undergraduates and graduates were 87 and 91, respectively, in 2022.
TOEFL infographic (Sojourning Scholar)
How is the TOEFL Scored?
The four main sections of the TOEFL are each graded on a scale of 0 – 30.
The following table shows the skills evaluated in each section and the scoring for each proficiency level.
Section | Proficiency Level | Performance Components Evaluated |
Reading | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (18–23) Low-Intermediate (4–17) Below Low-Intermediate (0–3) | Academic English comprehension Analytical skills Recognition of organization patterns in expository text Comprehension of complex text |
Listening | Advanced (22–30) High-Intermediate (17–21) Low-Intermediate (9–16) Below Low-Intermediate (0–8) | Recognition of main ideas and vital details Distinction between important and less important points Comprehension of complex information Ability to draw connections between pieces of information |
Speaking | Advanced (25–30) High-Intermediate (20–24) Low-Intermediate (16–19) Basic (10–15) Below Basic (0–9) | General description Delivery Language use Topic development |
Writing | Advanced (24–30) High-Intermediate (17–23) Low-Intermediate (13–16) Basic (7–12) Below Basic (0–6) | Production of well-developed and organized text Discussion of opinions on a controversial issue Ability to coherently integrate information from multiple sources |
Source: https://www.ets.org/
Average TOEFL Scores by Year
Global TOEFL scores consistently increased between 2018 and 2022. However, the Speaking section continuously showed the lowest average scores.
The following table shows the average TOEFL scores and the average scores for each section between 2018 and 2022.
Year | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing | Total |
2022 | 22.8 | 23 | 20.9 | 21.7 | 88 |
2021 | 22.4 | 22.6 | 21.1 | 21.6 | 88 |
2020 | 22.2 | 22.3 | 21.2 | 21.5 | 87 |
2019 | 21.2 | 20.9 | 20.6 | 20.5 | 83 |
2018 | 20.8 | 20.6 | 20.5 | 20.7 | 83 |
Source: ETS
Average TOEFL score by year 2022 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
Several factors contribute to TOEFL scores, including educational background and employment status. As such, we also looked at the 2022 average TOEFL scores based on applicant types.
Average TOEFL Score by type of applicant (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
TOEFL Score Distribution for Undergraduates and Graduates
Your level of education can affect your TOEFL score. The percentile ranks of total TOEFL scores differ between graduate- and undergraduate-level test takers. As such, you must also evaluate how your scores measure against fellow test takers at your educational level.
For example, the average TOEFL scores for undergraduates and graduates were 87 and 91, respectively, in 2022. Thus, you can consider these scores when you set your TOEFL target score.
If you want much higher scores, the 99th percentile TOEFL score for both graduate- and undergraduate-level students is 116. This means that only 1% of test takers have achieved a score of 116 or more.
The graphs below show the percentile ranks of total TOEFL scores for undergraduate- and graduate-level test takers:
Undergraduate Percentile Ranks for TOEFL Scores (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
Graduate Percentile Ranks for TOEFL Scores (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
What is a Good TOEFL Score for Prestigious Schools?
The admission process for prestigious academic institutions is often competitive.
Students aiming for admission into the Top 10 prestigious universities worldwide pay close attention to TOEFL scores to see how they compare against other applicants.
The following table shows the 2024 TOEFL scores for the Top 10 (QS-ranked) prestigious schools worldwide:
School | TOEFL Score Requirement |
90+ | |
100+ | |
110+ | |
104+ | |
100+ | |
92+ | |
100+ | |
94+ | |
92+ | |
90+ |
You must also consider score distributions to obtain an accurate picture of your TOEFL score compared to the competition.
For example, a TOEFL score of 112 fell into the 95th percentile in 2022. This result means only 5% of test takers scored higher than 112 worldwide.
In contrast, a TOEFL composite score of 109 fell into the 90th percentile of all TOEFL test takers.
If you are targeting one of the prestigious schools above, you will need a composite score above 100 to be a strong applicant. However, your target TOEFL score ultimately depends on the pool of applicants at your prospective school.
You can check the English language requirements in the admissions section of your prospective school for the required minimum TOEFL score. For example, Harvard University required a minimum TOEFL score of 104 for the class of 2024.
A TOEFL score of 100 will stand out compared to applicants from countries with lower average scores. Therefore, it is crucial to consider the average scores in each country.
The following chart illustrates the regional distribution of TOEFL scores to show how your score might compare against different applicants.
Highest and Lowest TOEFL Score by Region 2022 (Image Credit: Sojourning Scholar)
How to Improve a Low TOEFL Score?
Now that you know what makes a good TOEFL score, we can focus on strategies for improving yours.
Take a Practice Test
Take an official practice test to boost your TOEFL score. A practice test helps you understand your baseline score and areas that need improvement.
ETS offers free TOEFL practice tests that give you an idea of the exam conditions, which is crucial for accurate preparation.
Simulate the actual test conditions during practice. Find a quiet space, follow the exact time limits, and take only the allotted breaks.
How far you are from your target TOEFL score will determine how rigorous your TOEFL prep needs to be.
Identify Areas of Improvement
The second step is to identify your strong and weak points. Consider targeted practice for areas that need improvement.
For example, if you struggle with the Speaking section, practice speaking English in an academic context or consider joining a language-speaking club.
Use TOEFL Prep Resources
The right TOEFL prep resources, such as books and online courses, can considerably improve your score.
Check out our in-depth review article on the best TOEFL prep courses and best TOEFL prep books on the market.
In these review articles, you'll find our top recommendation for a TOEFL prep course and book that best fits your needs, based on our holistic first-hand experience purchasing and using several TOEFL courses and books.
Stick to a Study Schedule
Everyone thinks they can study “when the time is right,” but creating a structured study schedule and sticking to it is the way to go.
The more you expose yourself to English, especially in an academic context, the more comfortable you will become with the language.
Stay Informed
Lastly, stay updated on any changes to the TOEFL test format or scoring. Staying informed will ensure that your preparation aligns with the latest exam criteria.
