Scoring and Reporting

Detailed and comprehensive, score reports highlight what students have accomplished as English-language learners and where they are ready to improve. And fast score turnaround time helps you in planning instruction.

Score reports feature a variety of information, including:

• proficiency levels
• proficiency descriptors
• scale scores that show progress within levels

The TOEFL Primary^® Reading and Listening Test Steps 1 and 2 are scored locally by ETS Preferred Network offices. Scores are determined by the number of questions a student has answered correctly — there’s no penalty for wrong answers. Score reports provide:

• information about the student's current level of English proficiency
• recommendations for improving English-language abilities
• details on the student’s CEFR level
• Lexile reading measures to help select level-appropriate reading materials

For more information about TOEFL Reading and Listening Tests scoring and reporting, download:

• TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test — Step 1 Proficiency Descriptors (PDF)
• TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test — Step 2 Proficiency Descriptors (PDF)
• Understanding TOEFL Primary^® Reading and Listening Score Reports (PDF)

The TOEFL Primary Speaking test is scored at ETS by human raters. Please refer to the TOEFL Primary Speaking Scoring Guide (PDF) for a better understanding of the scoring methodology. Score reports provide:

• information about the student's current level of English proficiency
• recommendations for improving English-language abilities
• details on the student’s CEFR level

For more information about scoring and reporting for the TOEFL Primary Speaking Test, download:

• TOEFL Primary Speaking Test Proficiency Descriptors (PDF)
• Understanding TOEFL Primary Speaking Score Reports (PDF)

The TOEFL Primary Writing test is scored by ETS using an automated scoring engine with artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. Please refer to the TOEFL Primary Writing Scoring Guide (PDF) for a better understanding of the scoring methodology. Score reports provide:

• information about the student's current level of English proficiency
• recommendations for improving English-language abilities
• details on the student’s CEFR level

For more information about scoring and reporting for the TOEFL Primary Writing Test, download:

• TOEFL Primary Writing Score Descriptors (PDF)
• Understanding TOEFL Primary Writing Score Reports (PDF)

Aligned with the CEFR

The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) is a standard used by educators worldwide to measure the language proficiency of nonnative English speakers. TOEFL Primary scores are mapped to CEFR levels so you will know about your students' abilities in relation to a widely accepted international standard.

Find the right books using Lexile measures

TOEFL Primary reading scores are also matched to Lexile^® measures. Based on a developmental scale for measuring both readers and texts, Lexile measures help students, teachers and parents select the material appropriate for a particular student's English reading ability.

Browse the ever-growing Lexile Book Database and find the right books for your students.

Recommended score validity

Due to rapid development of English proficiency by younger learners, ETS recommends that scores not be used beyond 1 year. Scores can be considered valid beyond 1 year if the student has provided evidence of having maintained the same level of English-language learning.

Test and score data summaries

TOEFL Primary and TOEFL Junior Test and Score Data Summaries contain data on the performance of examinees who took the test during a given period.

• 2019–2021 TOEFL Primary^® and TOEFL Junior^® Tests and Score Data Summary (PDF)
• 2016–2018 TOEFL Primary^® and TOEFL Junior^® Tests and Score Data Summary (PDF)