TOEFL iBT Score Distribution
Understand how your responses are evaluated and how the final TOEFL score is calculated.
TOEFL iBT Score Distribution
How each section contributes to your total score. The maximum score is 120.
| Section Focus | Score Range | Total Weightage | |
|---|---|---|---|
Reading | Reading Section | 0 - 30 | 25% |
Listening | Listening Section | 0 - 30 | 25% |
Speaking | Speaking Section | 0 - 30 | 25% |
Writing | Writing Section | 0 - 30 | 25% |
| Total Score | 0 - 120 | 100% |
How TOEFL scoring works
The TOEFL iBT test provides scores in four skill areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section has a score range of 0 to 30. These four section scores are added together for a total score range of 0 to 120.
Each section holds equal weight (25%) toward the total score. There is no penalty for guessing, so you should try to answer every question.
Section-specific evaluation
The Reading and Listening sections are scored by computer. The number of correct answers is converted to a scaled score out of 30.
The Speaking section is scored by a combination of AI scoring and certified human raters. They evaluate your delivery (pace, clarity, pronunciation), language use (grammar, vocabulary), and topic development (how fully you answer the question).
The Writing section uses both human raters and automated scoring to evaluate your responses based on development, organization, grammar, vocabulary, accuracy, and completeness.
Planning your target score
Different universities have different total score requirements and sometimes require minimum scores in specific sections (often Speaking or Writing). Focus your preparation on achieving a balanced performance across all four skills to maximize your total score.