How TOEFL® Test Scores Are Used

For institutions that have defined the level of English-language proficiency required for a particular course of study, official TOEFL® test scores can be used to help determine if:

• a student may begin academic work with no restrictions
• a student may begin academic work with some restrictions, including concurrent work in English-language classes
• a student is eligible to begin an academic program within a stipulated period of time but is assigned to a full-time English-language program first
• a student's official status cannot be determined until he or she reaches a satisfactory level of English-language proficiency. This decision will require the student to pursue full-time English-language training.

Such decisions should never be based on TOEFL scores alone. All relevant information should be considered.

Learn more about how to set score requirements

Reliability and Comparability of TOEFL iBT scores

Validity Evidence Supporting the Interpretation and Use of TOEFL iBT Scores

Learn more on how to interpret TOEFL scores

We encourage you to post your TOEFL Institution Code and TOEFL score requirements on your website.