The TOEFL is a test to assess the English listening, reading and writing abilities of a student. However the level of this English should be of university level and not just preliminary grade. Hence these tests are mandatory for all non US students for securing admissions in US universities. Many other countries have also started considering these tests as a part of the admission procedure. This test can be taken as many times as you wish to but only once a month. So students can take up to 12 tests a year, if they desire to do so.

The total TOEFL scores are out of 120 including a feedback on the overall performance in the test which also forms a deciding factor during your admissions. The TOEFL scores are divided equally among each of the four sections of Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. Each section consists of 30 marks. The TOEFL scores are immediately provided to students so that they can prepare again in case they wish to improve their scores.

There is no concept of failing in TOEFL. Either your score is low or high. Each university sets its own standards for scores and hence students can apply only to universities which match up to their TOEFL scores. Both methods of human and computer based scoring are used specially in the writing section since language needs a human approach to be assessed. The high level of TOEFL scores is between 90-120 marks while an average score is 60-90 and anything below that will be considered a low score.

Students can check past records or cut off TOEFL scores for their preferred universities and perform accordingly to secure admissions. The TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years but the criteria of scores in each university may change every year, hence it is necessary to utilize the score as early as possible unless it is an unavoidable circumstance.