TOEFL listening score is calculated on a range of 0 - 30. TOEFL listening section scoring is done by converting the raw score to the scaled score. The raw score is the total number of correct questions answered by the candidate. Each raw score carries one point. ETS has score descriptors to determine the performance level of a candidate. TOEFL listening score ranging from 22 to 30 has an advanced level of knowledge. The listening score calculation here is based on the TOEFL iBT syllabus.
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TOEFL iBT Listening Score Calculation
TOEFL listening section scoring is done by converting raw scores to scaled scores. The TOEFL listening section consists of a maximum of 28 questions. There is no negative marking for wrong answers. Candidates are therefore suggested to not leave any TOEFL listening question unanswered. Candidates can create a basic TOEFL iBT listening score conversion chart by using the formula - (RAW/28) * 30 = SCALED.
The following is the TOEFL ibT listening score conversion table:
TOEFL Listening Raw Score Conversion Table
| Raw Score | TOEFL iBT Listening Score |
|---|---|
| 28 | 30 |
| 27 | 29-30 |
| 26 | 27-30 |
| 25 | 25-30 |
| 24 | 24-29 |
| 23 | 23-27 |
| 22 | 22-26 |
| 21 | 21-25 |
| 20 | 19-24 |
| 19 | 18-23 |
| 18 | 17-21 |
| 17 | 16-20 |
| 16 | 14-19 |
| 15 | 13-18 |
| 14 | 12-17 |
| 13 | 10-15 |
| 12 | 9-14 |
| 11 | 7-13 |
| 10 | 6-12 |
| 9 | 5-10 |
| 8 | 3-9 |
| 7 | 2-7 |
| 6 | 1-6 |
| 5 | 1-4 |
| 4 | 0-2 |
| 3 | 0-1 |
| 2 | 0 |
| 1 | - |
ETS has stated that the difficulty level of each exam would be different. The difficulty level of the exams is measured by a process called equating.
TOEFL Listening Score Conversion to Percentile
Percentiles help candidates know their performance level by comparing it with other candidates. Based on percentiles, candidates learn how to improve TOEFL listening score. Most universities and colleges focus on TOEFL percentiles to understand the performance level of students. There are many universities that require a higher TOEFL iBT listening score, while some require a higher TOEFL writing score. Below is the TOEFL listening score conversion from to percentiles:
| TOEFL Listening Score Scale | TOEFL Listening Percentile |
|---|---|
| 30 | 96 |
| 29 | 91 |
| 28 | 86 |
| 27 | 80 |
| 26 | 75 |
| 25 | 69 |
| 24 | 64 |
| 23 | 58 |
| 22 | 53 |
| 21 | 47 |
| 20 | 42 |
| 19 | 37 |
| 18 | 32 |
| 173 | 28 |
| 16 | 24 |
| 15 | 21 |
Most universities and colleges require a TOEFL listening score percentile of 80 and above. Candidates need to aim for a TOEFL iBT listening score of 27 and above to get admission to a top US college. To understand TOEFL listening section scoring better, below are percentile scores based on education levels:
TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table - High School Level Students
| TOEFL Listening Score | Percentiles |
|---|---|
| 30 | 97 |
| 25 | 75 |
| 20 | 49 |
| 15 | 27 |
| 10 | 11 |
| 5 | 3 |
TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table - Two Year College Students
| TOEFL Listening Score | Percentiles |
|---|---|
| 30 | 98 |
| 25 | 82 |
| 20 | 54 |
| 15 | 29 |
| 10 | 12 |
| 5 | 3 |
TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table - Undergraduate Level Students
| TOEFL Listening Score | Percentiles |
|---|---|
| 30 | 95 |
| 25 | 67 |
| 20 | 41 |
| 15 | 20 |
| 10 | 8 |
| 5 | 2 |
Average TOEFL Listening Score
The average score is determined by the results of universities and colleges. ETS releases the average TOEFL score for reference purposes. The average TOEFL score is a part of TOEFL listening section scoring and important for admission purposes. The average TOEFL score for listening is 20.9.
TOEFL iBT Listening Score of Top Universities
Many universities have a separate requirement for TOEFL iBT listening score. Candidates will find the below TOEFL listening score table of top universities:
| Top Universities | TOEFL iBT Listening Score |
|---|---|
| Auburn University | 20 |
| Duke University | 20 |
| Clarkson University | 20 |
| Queen’s University | 20 |
| John Hopkins University | 26 |
| Oxford University | 22 |
| Cambridge University | 25 |
| University College London | 19 |
| University of Leeds | 20 |
| King’s College London | 20 |
| Imperial College London | 17 |
| London School of Economics | 23 |
| University of Lancaster | 17 |
| Columbia University | 23 |
| University of Michigan | 25 |
| Purdue University | 14 |
| University of Illinois, Chicago | 17 |
What TOEFL Listening Score Should Candidates Aim For?
It is necessary for candidates to set a goal TOEFL iBT listening score. First, they need to take a diagnostic test. Then take help from TOEFL listening section scoring to determine the score. They will be required to set a goal score to know how to improve TOEFL listening score to match the same. Below are the points to be noted:
- Make a List of Selected Universities: Candidates need to make a list of their selected universities and colleges and write them down in a table.
- Look for Minimum TOEFL Listening Score: Beside the selected universities write down the minimum TOEFL scores of them. Candidates can get the same from the admission page of the universities. Candidates need to write both the minimum TOEFL listening score requirement as well the total TOEFL score.
- Look for the Highest TOEFL Listening Score: When you have all the minimum TOEFL iBT listening score requirements, look for the highest score. The highest TOEFL score will be the goal score. Once the candidate achieves that score, they can apply to the remaining universities as well.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, which will be updated soon subject to the notification issued by the University/College.
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