logo
Contact us
zoom image
Home Blog TOEFL iBT

What is a Good Score in TOEFL Listening? How Is It Calculated?

What is a Good Score in TOEFL iBT® Listening? How Is It Calculated?

alt image

"Explore how TOEFL Listening scores are calculated, what defines a good score, and effective strategies to improve your performance in the Listening section."

The TOEFL iBT Listening score is calculated based on your raw score, which is the sum of points earned for each correct answer. These points are then converted into a scaled score ranging from 0 to 30. A score of 25+ is generally considered excellent in the TOEFL Listening section.

Let’s learn more about how your score is calculated and what makes a good TOEFL Listening score, so you can aim for your target!

What is a Good Score in TOEFL Listening? 

Here's an overview of the score descriptors to help you understand what each score means and what’s a good score in the TOEFL Listening iBT section. Generally, a score of 25+ is considered a good score in the TOEFL Listening section.

Level

Score

CEFR Level

Description

Advanced

22–30

C1

Test takers have a strong understanding of conversations and lectures in academic settings.


Note: Test takers scoring 28-30 may perform at CEFR Level C2.

High-Intermediate

17–21

B2

Test takers generally understand the main ideas and important details of academic conversations and lectures. but struggle with densely packed information.

Low-Intermediate

9–16

B1

Test takers understand the main ideas and some important details of academic conversations and lectures.

Below Low-Intermediate

0-8

Test takers with scores below 9 have not demonstrated proficiency at the Low-Intermediate level.


You might find this helpful : How to Score 30/30 on the TOEFL Listening?

Understanding TOEFL Listening Score Calculation

The TOEFL listening section consists of 28 questions. Each correct answer is worth one point. So, the highest possible raw score is 28. To determine your final score, this raw score is then converted to a scale of 30 points, known as a scaled score. 

A simple formula to convert your raw listening score to the scaled score is - (Raw Score ÷ 28) × 30 = Scaled Score. Refer to the chart below to understand the TOEFL Listening score calculation. 

TOEFL iBT Raw Score (0-28)

TOEFL iBT Scaled Score (0-30)

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

0

0

0


Note:
 The raw scores convert only to a range of scaled scores. Every test is different.

Tackle the listening section with confidence!
Explore our TOEFL Listening Practice Tests and improve your listening accuracy today.

Tips to Get a Good Score in TOEFL Listening Section

Here are some effective strategies to get a good score in the TOEFL Listening section and improve your performance.

  • Before choosing between two answers, make sure you've eliminated the obviously wrong ones.
  • Be careful to eliminate obviously wrong options on multiple-choice questions before narrowing it down to two options.
  • Listen closely to the audio and create a mental picture of it. This will help you remember the details, especially when dealing with longer passages. Visualizing the information can make it easier to recall later.
  • Pay close attention to words and phrases that signal important information, transitions, or conclusions, such as "however," "on the other hand," and "to sum up.").
  • Practices identifying tones of voice that reflect a person's emotions or attitudes, such as skepticism, enthusiasm, or disagreement. The ability to identify this skill is critical for being able to determine some question types.

I hope this blog on What is a Good Score in TOEFL Listening? How Is It Calculated? has clarified the process for you. Understanding how your raw score translates into a scaled score can help you aim for your target. With consistent practice and the right strategies, you can excel in the TOEFL Listening section.

Additional Resources:

Featured Articles

article
Benefits of Shadowing Techniques to Improve TOEFL Listening Scores

Shadowing helps improve performance in TOEFL Listening by boosting pronunciation, comprehension, and speed. Follow these techniques for effective practice and better performance!

June 06, 2025
article
Top Universities in South Korea Accepting TOEFL Scores

Learn which top Korean universities accept TOEFL scores, their required score range, and how to apply as an international student.

June 06, 2025
article
Minimum TOEFL Score for Ireland Study Visa

Learn the minimum TOEFL score required for an Ireland study visa and top university admissions. Get expert tips to improve your score and strengthen your application.

May 30, 2025
article
Samples of TOEFL Reading Sentence Simplification Questions

TOEFL Reading Sentence Simplification questions test your ability to rephrase complex sentences while keeping their original meaning. Let’s check some sample questions for practice!

May 30, 2025