Knowing how to easily pass TOEFL exams is important for international students who want to attend an English-speaking school. But what exactly does “passing the TOEFL” imply? Is there a minimum TOEFL score that everyone must achieve?
In reality, a TOEFL passing score is any score that gets you into the schools you want to attend.
As a result, the TOEFL score required to pass will differ depending on where you apply.

How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams-Passing the TOEFL Exam
We explain why you can’t technically pass (or fail) the TOEFL in this guide. We also provide advice on how to calculate your TOEFL passing score, how to improve your chances of passing the TOEFL, and what to do if you are having difficulty reaching your passing score.
By preparing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), you can achieve a passing score. Taking practice tests is an excellent way to prepare for the TOEFL. The website of the Educational Testing Service (ETS) provides free, downloadable sample tests and questions from previous paper-based and Internet-based tests. You may be able to find additional practice test options online.
You’ll have to choose between the paper-based TOEFL and the Internet-based TOEFL, and you can learn more about the two test formats on the ETS website. It’s also critical to understand how to approach each section of the exam. Keep these pointers in mind as you prepare for the TOEFL.
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How to Easily Pass TOEFL Exams: Can One Pass (or Fail)?
First and foremost, will you be able to pass the TOEFL? The answer is sort of. However, there are no hard and fast cutoffs for passing or failing the TOEFL. Depending on your score goals, the majority of the scores you receive can be considered passing or failing. (I say “most scores,” not “all scores,” because most schools require TOEFL scores in the 70s.) Any score below the 70s, then, would be considered a failing score.)
Finally, a TOEFL passing score is any score that meets the minimum score requirements for all of the schools to which you are applying.
Similarly, a failing score is any score that does not meet the minimum score requirements for your school.
As an example, suppose I’m applying to Columbia University. For undergraduate admission, Columbia requires a TOEFL iBT score of 100. As a result, any TOEFL scores less than 100 is a failing score for me because I cannot get into Columbia with that kind of score. Any score of 100 or higher, on the other hand, is a passing score for me because it meets the minimum score requirements for Columbia.
But what if you’re applying to multiple schools? In this case, you’ll need to find a TOEFL score that meets all of your schools’ requirements, not just one. This is your TOEFL target score.

A Guide to Setting TOEFL Score Goals
A TOEFL goal score is guaranteed to meet all of your school’s minimum score requirements and is thus the one most likely to get you accepted to all of the schools you’re applying to. Here, we will walk you through the steps required to determine your own TOEFL passing score.
#1. Make a Chart
Make a chart with all of the schools you’re applying to in order to organize the TOEFL score information you find. Across the top, write “TOEFL Required?” “Minimum TOEFL Requirement” and “Notes.”
For instance:
School | TOEFL Required? | Minimum TOEFL Requirement | Notes |
Columbia | |||
Penn State | |||
Northeastern | |||
NYU |
#2. Learn more about TOEFL scores
Then, for each of your schools, look for TOEFL score information. Enter “[School Name] TOEFL minimum score” or “[School Name] TOEFL requirements” into Google.
Look for links to the official website of your school. TOEFL score information is most likely to be found on application materials pages, admission requirements pages, and FAQ pages. You can also search for keywords like “TOEFL,” “English,” and “proficiency” by pressing Ctrl + F.
Let’s go back to my previous example. During my research, I discovered that both Columbia and NYU require TOEFL iBT scores of at least 100. Meanwhile, Penn State requires an 80, and Northeastern requires a 92.
#3. Get Your Goal Score-How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams
Now, in your chart, locate the highest TOEFL score. This is your TOEFL goal score or your personal TOEFL passing score. This is the score that will give you the best chance of getting into all of your desired schools.
In my chart, the highest TOEFL score is 100 in my example above (for NYU and Columbia). This means I’ll need to get at least a 100 on the TOEFL.
How to Easily Pass TOEFL Exams: 8 Important Steps
As previously stated, a passing TOEFL score varies depending on the schools to which you are applying. But how can you be sure you’ll have a good chance of reaching your target score? Follow the eight steps outlined below to easily pass the TOEFL exams with excellent results.
Step 1: Know the TOEFL Format-How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams
Knowing the TOEFL format is key to passing the TOEFL test easily. Take some time to read over the basics of how the test is structured and what it tests as well as how it’s scored.
You should also thoroughly familiarize yourself with each TOEFL section. Learn about the Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing sections to get a sense of the content you’ll need to know for the exam.
Step 2: Find Your Baseline Score-How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams
To create an effective TOEFL study plan and eventually pass the TOEFL, you must first determine your baseline score. A baseline score is the inverse of a goal score; it is the score you begin with before beginning TOEFL test preparation.
Taking a full-length TOEFL practice test is the simplest way to determine your baseline score. Official tests are ideal because they contain the most realistic practice questions and have a structure that is similar to the test format.
Gather scratch paper, find a slightly noisy room (the testing room will likely become a little louder as test takers reach the Speaking section), and double-check that your headphones and microphone work properly before you begin.
Write down your scores for each section after you finish the test. Your baseline score will be your total TOEFL score.
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Step 3: Calculate how many hours you’ll need to study
Using your baseline and goal scores, you can now estimate how many hours you’ll need to study to achieve your TOEFL goal score; How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams.
Note; If you want to improve your speaking by one point, you will likely need to spend twice as much time preparing than you would if you were speaking.
Subtraction of baseline score from goal score This will tell you how many points you need to improve by in total. For example, if my baseline score is 92 and my goal score is 100, I would need 8 points to reach my goal.
Next, calculate the number of points you’ll need to gain in each section. Because I need to raise my overall TOEFL score by 8 points, I could aim for 2 points in each section. As a result, I’d need to study for at least 66 hours total: 2(6) + 2(6) + 2(15) + 2(6) = 66.
Finally, you are free to divide these points however you see fit. For example, if I wanted to improve my Reading score, even more, I could instead aim for gaining 3 points on that section and only 1 on Writing.
Step 4: Prepare a Study Plan-How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams
Now that you know how many hours you’ll need to study for the TOEFL, it’s time to create a study plan. This is crucial for how to easily pass TOEFL exams.
The length of time you study for the TOEFL is primarily determined by your test date. You should have three to six months of study time before your test. This should generally be enough time for you to complete all of your study hours without difficulty.
Divide your study hours so that you have a rough estimate of how many hours you will need each week. Assume I need to study 66 hours total and have three months until my test date. This means I’ll need to study for about five and a half hours per week to meet my target score.
Remember that you do not have to study in one sitting every week; you can divide your time so that you study a few hours one day and a few hours the next. Finally, do what is best for you!
Step 5: Make Use of High-Quality Resources for Learning and Practice
When you start studying for the TOEFL (for how to easily pass TOEFL exams), make the most of the resources available to you. You’ll primarily use these resources to study content, become acquainted with the test format, and practice what you’ve learned.
Always begin with official TOEFL resources (those created by ETS), as these are your best bet for authentic TOEFL content and practice questions.
- TOEFL iBT Quick Prep: This four-volume PDF set includes practice questions for each section as well as MP3 files for audio clips.
- TOEFL iBT Interactive Sampler: This downloadable software provides a shortened TOEFL test with questions from all sections and an interface that is nearly identical to what you will see on test day.
Finally, look for high-quality, unofficial TOEFL preparation materials. Just make sure they are highly rated and contain realistic practice questions. Some of the best unofficial TOEFL prep books are included in our guide to TOEFL prep books. Check out our TOEFL practice test guide for more information on how to make the most of your resources.
Step 6: Ensure You Master Key Strategies on how to easily pass TOEFL exams
You’ll need to practice both test-prep and test-taking strategies in addition to learning content. Strategies teach you how to approach problems, manage your time, and remain confident; thus, knowing them will give you a better chance of passing the TOEFL on test day.
Here are some of the best TOEFL strategies and tips for each section: How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams
For Reading:
- Learn common TOEFL vocabulary terms.
- Select a reading strategy for passages.
- To figure out the meanings of unfamiliar words, look for context clues in passages.
- Make copious notes on the audio clips.
- Pace yourself by devoting approximately 20 minutes to each passage and question set.
- Avoid difficult questions and come back to them later.
- To narrow down your answers, use the process of elimination
Speaking: (How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams)
- Practice your English skills with native English speakers.
- Improve your pronunciation.
- You should record yourself speaking.
- On the exam, speak up and enunciate.
Listing;
- Listen to a variety of English accents, including those from North America, the United Kingdom, and Australia.
- Make copious notes on the audio clips.
- To narrow down your options, use the process of elimination.
- Pay close attention to audio clips that have been replayed.
Writing:
- Timed writing exercises should be practiced.
- Remember common transitions.
- Make copious notes on the audio clip (for the Integrated task)
- Make an outline for your essays.
Step 7: Identify your weaknesses and work on them
It’s critical to focus your preparation on your weaknesses (How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams), as these are likely to lower your score on test day. Spend time reviewing difficult concepts, answering practice questions, and experimenting with different strategies.
If you’re having trouble getting a high Speaking score, for example, you should devote more of your study time to improving your English-speaking skills. Talking to native English speakers, recording yourself and evaluating your responses, and practicing your pronunciation are all important strategies.
The more you practice a weakness, the easier the TOEFL will be for you—and the higher your score will be.
Step 8: Keep track of your progress-How To Easily Pass TOEFL Exams
The final step is to assess your progress to see if you’re getting better. Taking full-length TOEFL practice tests is the best way to track your progress (ideally, official ones). Step 2 provides a list of official practice test resources.
Take each test under realistic testing conditions, just as you did for your baseline test. This will provide you with an accurate indication of where you currently stand and what skills you should work on.
If you don’t want to pay for an official practice test, try some of the unofficial, free ones we recommend here. Just keep in mind that, while these tests are generally of high quality, they are not as realistic as official tests and thus may not be the most accurate indicator of your TOEFL abilities.
Review: How to Easily Pass TOEFL Exams
A TOEFL passing score and a TOEFL failing score have no precise definitions. You can send any TOEFL score to schools, no matter how low or high it is.
Obviously, you’ll want to send a TOEFL score that is sufficient for all of your schools. This is your TOEFL proficiency score (also known as a goal score). A TOEFL passing score is simply one that meets all of your school’s minimum TOEFL requirements.
Make a chart with all of the schools you’re applying to in order to determine your target score. Then, look online for TOEFL score information for each of your schools. In your chart, record these minimum required (or recommended) scores. Finally, look for the highest score in your chart; this is your TOEFL target score.
But how can you be sure you’ll reach your target score? Here are the steps you’ll need to take to pass the TOEFL easily:
- Learn about the TOEFL format.
- Determine your starting point.
- Determine how many hours you’ll need to study.
- Make a study schedule.
- Use high-quality resources to review and practice content.
- Understand key strategies
- Focus on your flaws.
- Keep track of your progress.
Finally, if you’re having trouble meeting your TOEFL goal score, consider whether you actually need to meet your goal score. You should also consider how close you are to meeting your target score and how you can improve the rest of your application.
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