TOEFL Listening Score 2022: Score Calculation, Score Conversion, Top University Score

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.

Table of Contents

Toefl listening score calculation
1.1 Score conversion table
1.2 Score Conversion to Percentile
1.3 Score conversion for High School
1.4 score conversion for 2 yrs colleges
1.5 score conversion for undergraduate
Average TOEFL Listening Score
2.1 Score of Top Universities
Setting goal for score

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.