TOEFL Eligibility 2024: Age Limit, Qualification, Docs & More

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria: There are no certain eligibility criteria for the TOEFL examination mentioned by the exam conducting authority i.e. ETS (Educational Testing Service). An eligible candidate must complete his / her 10 + 2 level of education from any authorized board or institution to sit for this particular exam.

The examination is mostly taken by non-native English speakers who want to pursue higher studies abroad. In this article, we are going to discuss the TOEFL Eligibility Criteria in detail.

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria

Table of Content

  • TOEFL Eligibility for Indian Students
  • TOEFL Exam Eligibility Educational Qualifications
  • TOEFL Eligibility Criteria Age Limit
  • TOEFL Eligibility Score for Top Universities
  • TOEFL Eligibility Score for Top Universities in 2024
  • TOEFL Eligibility Documents Requirements
  • TOEFL Eligibility for Retakes
  • TOEFL Eligibility for Scholarship
  • TOEFL IBT Home Edition – Eligibility, System and Environment Requirements
  • TOEFL Eligibility Score and Re-attempt
  • TOEFL Score & Eligibility Criteria
  • Number to Dial for Enquiry About TOEFL Eligibility

TOEFL Eligibility for Indian Students

There are no certain eligibility criteria to sit for the TOEFL i.e. Test of English as a Foreign Language. You are eligible to take the examination if you have already passed your 12th board exam or 10+2 or equivalent education from a recognized board or institution. 

In India, the TOEFL language test is generally taken by students who want to pursue their higher education from an English-speaking abroad country. The TOEFL exam is divided into four; you must pay 190 USD or 16,900 INR during segments i.e. speaking, writing, listening, and reading. Nowadays, most universities abroad ask for the TOEFL certificate during the application. For some countries, it is also needed for the student visa applications

As the TOEFL test on pen and paper has been abolished so there are only two options i.e. TOEFL iBT and TOEFL at home. The format is not an issue; you must pay 190 USD or 16,900 INR during registration.

TOEFL Exam Eligibility Educational Qualifications

There is no specified age limit to sit for the TOEFL examination. Candidates from any age group can take this examination but should have the proper educational qualifications. As English-speaking countries that require TOEFL as part of the application/ admission process, are free for appearing for tests irrespective of mentioned earlier, the minimum academic qualification needed for the TOEFL exam is 10+2 or the equivalent education from any recognized board institution. If any test taker’s age is below 15, they also can take the test but for them, they need to get consent from their parents. This written content must be submitted to the official ETS website.

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria Age Limit

TOEFL exam eligibility age limit: ETS- the main conducting body of TOEFL exam has not particularly set any age limit for the candidates who are looking to appear for the exams. The study abroad aspirants, who are willing to study in English-speaking countries that require TOEFL as part of the application/ admission process, are free for appearing for tests irrespective of queriesage.

TOEFL Eligibility Score for Top Universities

Prospective TOEFL exam takers will find it reassuring that the Educational Testing Service (ETS), responsible for administering the TOEFL test, does not set specific eligibility criteria for the exam in 2024. Given that the TOEFL assesses English language proficiency, candidates should review the language requirements of the particular college or university they’re applying to.

Individuals whose first language isn’t English are typically required to take the TOEFL exam. Institutions in prominent English-speaking countries such as the USA and Canada stipulate language proficiency for admission. Moreover, professionals may also undertake the TOEFL exam as it’s often a prerequisite for obtaining a student visa.

TOEFL Eligibility Score for Top Universities in 2024

University Grade Minimum Overall Score Minimum Scores for Subsections
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) A++ 90.0 & Above
Cambridge University A++ n/a
Oxford University A++ 100 Listening: 22, Reading: 24, Speaking: 25, Writing: 24
Harvard University A++ 80.0-103.0
Stanford University A++ 89.0-110.0
Imperial College London A++ Standard: 92 overall (minimum 20 in all elements)
Higher: 100 overall (minimum 22 in all elements)
ETH Zurich A++ 100.0 & Above
National University of Singapore (NUS) A++ 85.0-92.0
University College London (UCL) A++ September Intake: 72 overall (Listening: 17, Reading: 18, Speaking: 20, Writing 17) <br> January Intake: 80 overall (Listening: 19, Reading: 20, Speaking: 22, Writing 19)
University of California, Berkeley Campus A++ 90.0 & Above

What is TOEFL Eligibility Score?

The best TOEFL result that would enable a candidate to easily apply to his or her preferred university is known as the exam eligibility score. The TOEFL cut-off, which is determined by individual colleges as a component of the admissions process, is more like to TOEFL eligibility. Students should be aware that in order to stand out in their application, applicants are urged to score better on the TOEFL eligibility scale, which is always set on the lower end.

TOEFL 2024 Eligibility – USA

Top universities in US

TOEFL exam eligibility 2024 scores

Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 90+

Minimum TOEFL PBT score: 577+

Stanford University Mnimum TOEFL iBT score: 100 – 110+
Harvard University

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 104+

Minimum TOEFL PBT score : 613+

California Institute of Technology (Caltech) Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
University of Chicago Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 90 – 104+
University of Pennsylvania

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+

Minimum TOEFL PBT score: 600+

Princeton University Minimum TOEFL iBT score: no minimum score.
Yale University Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
Cornell University Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
Columbia University Minimum TOEFL iBT score:  105+
Johns Hopkins University

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+

Minimum TOEFL PBT score: 600+

TOEFL 2024 Eligibility – Canada

Top universities in Canada TOEFL exam eligibility 2024 scores
McGill University Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 86+
University of Toronto Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
University of British Columbia Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 90-100+
University of Alberta Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
McMaster University

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 92+

Minimum TOEFL PBT score: 580+

University of Waterloo Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 90+
Western University Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 86+
University of Ottawa Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
University of Calgary

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 86+

Minimum PBT score: 560+

Queen’s University at Kingston

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 88+

Minimum PBT score: 580+

TOEFL 2024 Eligibility – UK

Top Universities in UK TOEFL exam 2024 eligibility scores
University of Cambridge Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100 – 110+
University of Oxford Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100 – 110+
Imperial College London Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
University College London (UCL) Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 92 – 109+
The University of Edinburgh Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 92+
The University of Manchester Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 90 – 100+
King’s College London Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 100+
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 107+
University of Bristol Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 90+
The University of Warwick Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 92+

TOEFL Eligibility 2024 – Australia

Top universities in Australia TOEFL exam 2024 eligibility scores
Australian National University (ANU)

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 80 -100+

Minimum PBT score:: 570 – 600+

The University of Melbourne

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 79+

Minimum PBT score: 577+

The University of Sydney

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 85+

Minimum PBT score: 565+

The University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney)

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 90+

Minimum PBT score: 577+

The University of Queensland

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 87+

Minimum PBT score: 570+

Monash University

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 79+

Minimum PBT score: 550+

The University of Western Australia

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 82 – 100+

Minimum PBT score: 570+

The University of Adelaide

Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 79+

Minimum PBT score: 577+

University of Technology Sydney Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 79 – 102+
University of Wollongong Minimum TOEFL iBT score: 40 – 106+

TOEFL Eligibility Documents Requirements

Before the registration process for the TOEFL exam, the candidate needs to check the required documents as per the ETS which is the TOEFL exam conducting authority. 

  • As a candidate, you need a valid passport. The passport number is important for the registration. It is recommended to register for the exam with your valid passport for TOEFL as it is an International exam
  • The passport should be valid during the time of registration as well as throughout the exam.
  • During the exam time, the candidate should carry their original passport with some Xerox copy. Digital image of the passport is not accepted in the examination hall. 
  • If any candidate does not hold a valid passport, they need a government-issued photo ID card as an identity document. The identity card (if you do not have a passport) must be a valid one and your photo must be there along with your nationality
  • Those candidate whose ages are below 15, need to fill in a letter of consent from their parents. Before taking the test, they need to submit it to the ETS official website.

TOEFL Eligibility for Retakes

There are no restrictions on the frequency of TOEFL exam attempts. TOEFL exams are offered 50 times throughout the year. Candidates are permitted to retake the exam as many times as they wish, provided there is a minimum gap of 12 days between each attempt.

TOEFL Eligibility for Scholarship

Indian students seeking TOEFL scholarships must fulfill several criteria:

  1. Residency Requirement: They must be residing in India during the application period.
  2. Institution Selection: Applicants must apply to a university or college listed in the TOEFL Destination Search.
  3. Academic Performance: They need to maintain a minimum GPA of 80/100 or 3.0.
  4. TOEFL Score: Applicants must possess a valid TOEFL score.

There are various types of TOEFL scholarships, each with its own eligibility requirements:

  • TOEFL Research Grants: Intended for doctoral students conducting research in language assessment, with an approved dissertation.
  • TOEFL Young Student Services (YSS): Available for candidates focusing on YSS-related topics, requiring proficiency in English.
  • Jacqueline Ross Dissertation Award: Granted to those who have successfully published a dissertation within the last three years.
  • Samuel J. Merrick Memorial Lecture Award: Given to candidates nominated for outstanding contributions.
  • TESOL Award: Eligible candidates must be members of TESOL.

TOEFL IBT Home Edition – Eligibility, System and Environment Requirements

There is no age limit or minimum qualification requirement mentioned for the TOEFL IBT Home-based test. To take this exam, candidates need to fulfill some requirements related to the exam equipment. Here the certain system and environment requirements needed for the test as mentioned below. 

TOEFL IBT Home Edition: System Requirements

Let us discuss the system requirements for the TOEFL IBT Home Edition as mentioned below.

  • Candidates are allowed to use a single monitor only during the exam. 
  • Your system’s operating system should be a licensed one.
  • Candidates should have the ETS-secured test browser on their system. You need to install it during the exam and it is compulsory for the TOEFL IBT Home Edition. 
  • Any type of earphone, earbuds, or headphones is not allowed during the exam. Only you can use the external and internal speakers to hear the invigilator. 
  • External and internal microphones can be used during the examination.
  • During the test, you have to set up aenvironmental webcam through which the invigilator will get a 360-degree view of the place where you are taking the exam

TOEFL IBT Home Edition: Environment Requirements

Let us discuss the environmental requirements for the TOEFL IBT Home Edition as mentioned below.

  • Candidates are required to sit alone in the room while they are taking the exam. Do not forget to close the door of the room. 
  • Your keyboard and other computer accessories need to be placed on a desk
  • You need to set your computer and chair in that place, from where the invigilator can see the room’s door
  • Cameras (not the webcam), study materials, mobile phones, and Bluetooth devices are not allowed to be placed on the exam desk. 
  • You can not take any notes on paper externally. Rather you can use the desktop whiteboard with the digital marker. 
  • At the end of the test, you need to erase the all notes you have taken, and needs to be checked by the invigilator.  

TOEFL Eligibility Score and Re-attempt

If you are taking TOEFL for your higher education abroad, you need to secure the B2 CEFR level at least. Though it is dependent on the university requirements. Most of the educational institutions decide the minimum admission requirements and they can set a cut-off CEFR on the TOEFL marks also. Generally, the exam has four distinct sections and each part carries 30 points. A score of 87-109 (B2) is always considered as a good one. Let’s check the points table for the TOEFL as mentioned below.

Section

TOEFL Score Range

Proficiency Level

TOEFL Reading Section

0-30

Poor (0–14)

Average (15–21)

Proficient (22–30)

TOEFL Listening Section

0-30

Poor (0–14)

Average (15–21)

Proficient (22–30)

TOEFL Speaking Section

0-30

Poor(0–9)

Below average (10–17)

Average (18–25)

Proficient (26–30)

TOEFL Writing Section

0-30

Poor – Below average (1–16)

Above average (17–23)

Proficient (24–30)

TOEFL Total Score

120

If you are not able to secure the B2 level CEFR, you do not have to worry. You are eligible to retake the exam on the next date. As there is no certain barrier and ETS has not set any maximum attempt count, you can retake the TOEFL IBT Home Edition exam until you receive your desired CEFR. But you have to remember, there should be a gap of at least 3 days of your first and second attemptsa and so on.

TOEFL Score & Eligibility Criteria

There are some exciting scholarship and award opportunities you may receive. The ETS and TOEFL Board sponsor these grants and awards every year for 10 lucky people for helping them in their Doctoral Research in Second or Foreign Language Assessment. The cash prize amount is 2000 USD. 

Here are the eligibility criteria, if you want to receive this scholarship and award as mentioned below. 

  • To be eligible, you must have a graduate or a postgraduate degree or you should be pursuing a doctoral program abroad. 
  • Your doctoral program should be focused on foreign language assessment and must be the end of the whole curriculum. 
  • Candidates have to fulfill all exams and defined course criteria to receive the grants and awards. 
  • They must have a dissertation proposal that is accepted by the university committee as well.

Enquiry About TOEFL Eligibility

Candidates concerned about their TOEFL eligibility in India or other countries can directly reach out to ETS for assistance. The email address to contact is TOEFL@ets.org, in case of any queries. In case of India, TOEFLSupport4India@ets.org can be used for contacting in case of further information on TOEFL.

Failure to contact OTI and provide original passport or national ID documents on the test day may result in test cancellation without refund.

It’s essential for candidates to thoroughly review the eligibility requirements during registration to minimize errors. Universities typically consider various factors including GRE, TOEFL eligibility, GPA, work experience, and previous educational qualifications when evaluating applications.

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria- FAQs

Who is Eligible For TOEFL Test?

Generally, a person who has passed in 10+2 level of education from any recognized institution is an acceptable qualification for the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) test. In other words, a candidate should have passed from the high school or equivalent to appear for the TOEFL test.

What are the Criteria of TOEFL?

TOEFL Exam Eligibility has no specific criteria mentioned by the conducting body, ETS. You must have passed a 10+2 level of education from an authorized institution to attain TOEFL exam. A valid, government-issued photo ID is required to complete the eligibility for TOEFL.

What is Required for TOEFL Test?

There is only one key requirement in order to take the TOEFL test: you are able to read, comprehend, write and speak English. It also costs money. The TOEFL test was designed as a tool to measure a person’s – who’s first language isn’t English – ability to effectively communicate in English, to see how fluent they are.

How Much Percentage is Required for TOEFL?

Generally, most TOEFL accepting universities in USA require a score of 100, with at least 25 in each section. A score of 100 and above can land you in top-ranking universities and help you stand out amid a competitive crowd.

How Much does TOEFL Cost In India?

Candidates looking to sit for the TOEFL exam are required to pay a TOEFL exam fee of INR 16,900. Conducted by ETS – the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a popular English proficiency exam for Indian students looking to study abroad.