Imagine you are running out of time and still have questions to complete! That would be the worst-case scenario while taking a…

TOEFL Score Chart: A Complete Explanation
Anybody planning to take the TOEFL exam should know how scoring works. Essentially, most varsities and other institutions around the world require a TOEFL score as proof of an overseas language speaker’s ability in the English language. In this blog post, details of the TOEFL scoring system are shared, including a TOEFL score chart, a TOEFL total score, a TOEFL speaking score, and, lastly, the TOEFL score range.
TOEFL Exam Pattern
The Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) test comprises questions from four broad sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each of the independent sub-tests is designed to test a student’s ability in only that particular aspect of the language. Let’s take a quick peek at each of the four sections.
Reading
In this sub-test, you will be given 3-4 passages, each followed by 10 questions. These passages will be based on parts of university-level textbooks; the topics are quite varied and represent academic themes.
You will be tested on how well you are able to understand and analyze written texts, identify main ideas, understand the vocabulary in context, and make inferences.
Listening
The section consists of 3-4 lectures with 6 questions each and 2-3 conversations with 5 questions each. The lectures and conversations could be based on any real-life academic situations such as classroom discussions or office hours.
Your ability to understand spoken English, identify main ideas and details, recognize the speaker’s purpose, and make inferences will be actively tested during this section.
Speaking
There are six tasks in total: two independent and four integrated tasks. The independent tasks require you to present your opinions on familiar topics. The integrated tasks need you to respond based on reading and listening materials.
You will be tested on your ability to speak clearly and fluently, use appropriate grammar and vocabulary, and think clearly and coherently.
Writing
There are two writing tasks within the section: an integrated writing task and an independent writing task. The integrated writing task requires reading a passage, listening to a discussion on it, and then writing on this. The independent writing task asks for an essay on an independent topic.
This task will test how well you can Construct well-organized essays, proper grammar and vocabulary, development, and support of ideas.
Scoring for Each Section
Each section of the TOEFL is scored separately, and the scores are combined to yield a total score. A detailed look at how each section is scored appears below.
Reading and Listening
The scoring of the Reading and Listening sections is based on the number of correct answers. Every correct answer adds to your raw score, which is then converted into a scaled score from 0 to 30.
Reading: Your raw score comes from the total number of correct answers against the total number of questions. This raw score is then converted into a scaled score by use of a TOEFL score chart.
Listening: As with the Reading section, your raw score for the Listening section is rescaled to a scale of 0 to 30.
Speaking
The Speaking section is evaluated with the help of human raters, as well as an automated scoring system. There are six tasks that are rated from 0 to 4. Then, each of the scores for the tasks is summed and converted to a scaled score from 0 to 30.
Writing
The Writing section is also assessed by human raters, in combination with an automated scoring system. Each of the two tasks is rated on a scale from 0 to 5. These scores are combined and then converted to a scaled score ranging from 0 to 30.
Integrated Task: Your response is evaluated based on the summarization of selected information from the reading and the listening, as well as how well it is integrated into a written summary.
Independent Task: The quality and development of your ideas, the organization, and language use are assessed.
Retaking the TOEFL: Tips to Improve
Analyze Your Scores: The score report will help you identify your weak areas.
Practice Regularly: TOEFL practice materials will help you improve your skills.
Seek Feedback: Establish a tutor or take a course in TOEFL preparation to get personal feedback.
Use English Daily: Participate in reading, listening, speaking, and writing activities that include using English.
Registering for a Retake
When you are ready to take the test once more, log on to the official TOEFL website for online registration. Be sure to select test date that allows you sufficient time for preparation.
To Sum things up
In conclusion, a student intending to sit for the TOEFL examination must know the details about the TOEFL scoring system. Knowing how your scores are calculated, right from the TOEFL score chart down to a detailed breakout of scoring by each section, can help set real targets and finally achieve English proficiency. Be it a high TOEFL speaking score that one aims for or the knowledge of an overall TOEFL total score, this blog shall guide the preparation toward its successful completion and finally to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Knowing the TOEFL score range and how to read your score report will make it easier to know your strengths and work on your weaknesses. Remember, practice and preparation are everything. Good luck with your TOEFL journey!
Related Blogs
- All Posts
- OET
In case you are immigrating to Canada or looking for higher studies in the French-speaking parts of the nation, then the TCF…
Feeling a bit overwhelmed about the OSCE? You're not alone! The Objective Structured Clinical Examination is a big step in your medical…
Course Enquiry
Latest Posts
- All Posts
- CBT
- DHA
- French
- GENERAL
- German
- IELTS
- IQN NEW ZEALAND
- MOH
- NCLEX-RN
- NHRA
- OET
- OSCE
- PROMETRIC
- PTE
- TOEFL
- Back
- OET FOR PHYSIOTHERAPIST
- OET FOR PHARMACIST
- OET FOR DOCTORS



Frequently Asked Questions
TOEFL scores are based on four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section goes from 0 to 30; thus, the total scores range from 0 to 120.
Usually, a good TOEFL score will lie between 90 and 100. This is usually what the top universities require, indicating that one has strong proficiency in the English language.
There is no official pass mark for TOEFL. The institutions always have their own minimum score requirements, which usually range from 60 to 80.
There is no fail score in TOEFL. The test performance is measured with a total score out of 120; however, different institutions have different minimum score requirements to meet their criteria.