TOEFL Listening Score: Tips, Strategies, and How to Improve in 2024

Are you looking to improve your TOEFL Listening score in 2024? Achieving a high score in the TOEFL Listening section is crucial for demonstrating your English language proficiency. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore effective tips, proven strategies, and essential insights to help you excel in the TOEFL Listening section.

Whether you’re aiming to boost your score or understand the scoring criteria, our expert advice will equip you with the tools you need to succeed. Read on to discover how to enhance your listening skills, manage your preparation time efficiently, and achieve a high TOEFL Listening score.

TOEFL Listening Score

Table of Content

  • What TOEFL Listening Score Should Candidates Aim For?
  • TOEFL Listening Score Calculator
  • TOEFL Listening Raw Score Conversion Table
  • TOEFL Listening Score Conversion to Percentile
  • TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table – Undergraduate Level Students
  • TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table – High School Level Students
  • TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table – Two-Year College Students
  • TOEFL iBT Listening Score of Top Universities
  • Average TOEFL Listening Score
  • Preparation Tips to Maximize TOEFL Listening Score

What TOEFL Listening Score Should Candidates Aim For?

Candidates aiming to take the TOEFL iBT exam should target a listening score that aligns with the requirements of the universities or institutions they plan to apply to. The ideal TOEFL listening score varies depending on the specific requirements of each institution. Generally, candidates should aim for a score that meets or exceeds the minimum requirement set by their target universities.

Candidates need to research the TOEFL score requirements of the universities they are interested in applying to. These requirements are often listed on the universities’ admission websites or application guidelines. By reviewing these requirements, candidates can determine the minimum TOEFL listening score needed for admission to their desired programs.

Candidates may want to aim for a listening score that demonstrates their proficiency in English language listening comprehension. While meeting the minimum score requirements is necessary for admission, achieving a higher score can strengthen a candidate’s application and demonstrate their English language proficiency more effectively.

The TOEFL listening score that candidates should aim for depends on their individual goals, the requirements of their chosen universities, and their desired level of English language proficiency.

Solve Free TOEFL Practice Papers:

TOEFL Listening Score Calculator

A TOEFL Listening Score Calculator can be a handy tool for test-takers to estimate their scaled scores based on their raw scores. Here’s a simple formula you can use:

Scaled Score = (Raw Score / Total Possible Raw Score) * Maximum Score

For the TOEFL listening section, the maximum score is 30. So, if a candidate wants to calculate their scaled score for the listening section and they scored 25 out of 28 questions:

Scaled Score = (25 / 28) * 30 ≈ 26.79

Therefore, their estimated scaled score for the listening section would be around 26.79.

Keep in mind that this is just an approximation, and actual scores may vary slightly due to factors like equating, which adjusts for differences in test difficulty.

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

TOEFL Listening Score Conversion to Percentile

Understanding percentiles is crucial for TOEFL test-takers as it helps them gauge their performance relative to other candidates. Universities often rely on TOEFL percentiles to assess students’ proficiency levels. While some institutions prioritize high TOEFL listening scores, others may emphasize different sections like writing. Below is a conversion of TOEFL iBT listening scores 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

17

28

16

24

15

21

TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table – Undergraduate Level Students

Here is the TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table for Undergraduate Level Students:

TOEFL Listening Score

Percentiles

30

95

25

67

20

41

15

20

10

8

5

2

TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table – High School Level Students

Here is the TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table for 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

Here is the TOEFL Listening Score Conversion Table for two-year college-level students:

TOEFL Listening Score

Percentiles

30

98

25

82

20

54

15

29

10

12

5

3

TOEFL iBT Listening Score of Top Universities

Below is a table listing the required TOEFL iBT listening scores for various top universities:

Top Universities

TOEFL iBT Listening Score

Auburn University

20

University of Illinois, Chicago

17

Duke University

20

Clarkson University

20

Queen’s University

20

John Hopkins University

26

Cambridge University

25

University of Leeds

20

Imperial College London

17

King’s College London

20

Oxford University

22

University of Lancaster

17

Columbia University

23

University of Michigan

25

Purdue University

14

London School of Economics

23

ETS, the organization that conducts the TOEFL exam, has recently made significant changes to the TOEFL listening section. The section is now shorter, with a total of 28 questions. Understanding the TOEFL listening score scale calculation is essential for effective preparation for the exam.

Average TOEFL Listening Score

The average TOEFL score for the listening section is a crucial benchmark used by universities and colleges for admissions. The average TOEFL listening score is around 22, which is widely accepted by top-ranked institutions globally. Achieving this average score requires effective preparation and guidance from experienced mentors.

By focusing on listening skills and practicing with expert guidance, candidates can increase their chances of achieving a higher TOEFL score and securing admission to their desired institutions.

Preparation Tips to Maximize TOEFL Listening Score

Here are some effective preparation tips to help you maximize your TOEFL Listening score:

  • Familiarize Yourself with the Format: Understand the structure of the TOEFL listening section, including the types of questions and the timing of each part.
  • Practice Regularly: Practice listening to a variety of English accents, such as American, British, Australian, and Canadian. Use TOEFL listening practice materials to simulate exam conditions.
  • Improve Your Vocabulary: Expand your English vocabulary by reading academic articles, listening to podcasts, and watching English-language movies or TV shows.
  • Take Notes Effectively: Develop a shorthand system for taking notes during the listening section. Focus on key points, main ideas, and supporting details.
  • Enhance Your Listening Skills: Engage in active listening exercises by summarizing or paraphrasing what you hear. Pay attention to tone, intonation, and emphasis.
  • Utilize Practice Tests: Take full-length TOEFL listening practice tests to assess your progress and identify areas for improvement.
  • Manage Your Time: Practice time management strategies to ensure you can complete each question within the allotted time.
  • Stay Calm and Focused: On the day of the exam, remain calm and focused. Take deep breaths and concentrate on understanding the audio passages.
  • Review Your Mistakes: After completing practice tests, review your answers and identify any patterns of mistakes. Focus on improving in those areas before exam day.

TOEFL Listening Score- FAQs

What is a good TOEFL listening score?

A good TOEFL listening score ranges from 22 to 30. However, the definition of a good score may vary depending on the requirements of the institution or program you are applying to.

How is the TOEFL listening score calculated?

The TOEFL listening score is calculated based on the number of correct answers in the listening section. Each correct answer earns one point, and there is no penalty for incorrect answers. The raw score is then converted to a scaled score on a scale of 0 to 30.

How many questions are there in the TOEFL listening section?

The TOEFL listening section consists of a maximum of 28 questions. These questions are divided into several parts, including conversations, lectures, and academic discussions.

Is there a passing score for the TOEFL listening section?

There is no specific passing score for the TOEFL listening section. Instead, each institution or program sets its own minimum score requirements for admission. Candidates should aim to achieve a score that meets or exceeds the requirements of their chosen institutions.