Minimum TOEFL score for Tufts University

Tufts University is a research-oriented university situated in the city of Medford, Massachusetts. The university is well-known for the strength of its academic programmes as well as the diversity of its student body along with a robust commitment to international education. As an international applicant, one should consider taking a good demonstration of English proficiency such as the TOEFL test since it is one of the most vital details for admission into this university. 

In this blog, the minimum TOEFL score requirements set by Tufts University will be explored and how it compares with the academic standards of the university while suggesting some tips on improving your score for admission.

Is the TOEFL Score Important for Tufts University?

TOEFL scores are integral to Tufts University in analyzing a student's skills and aids in judging how an individual understands and uses English in an academic setting. It guarantees successful participation in all lecture assignments and other classroom undertakings. A good TOEFL score proves that students adequately prepare to enter the demanding environment that Tufts offers in its English course and holds development in reading, writing, speaking, and listening. 

The TOEFL also denotes that a student is able to take part in discussions, interact with professors, and work with others using English in their courses, which is necessary for success. A high TOEFL score also means that international students can more easily make the transition from their own country's cultures to that of the Tufts academic culture with less language barrier making their adaptation very expedient. 

Therefore, a good performance in TOEFL adds to the credentials of an applicant and increases the competition among the applicants as it shows the readiness of the student to face the challenges in an English-speaking academic environment.

Minimum TOEFL Score Requirements for Tufts University

Tufts University does not officially announce a minimum score requirement for the TOEFL test for admission. However, a general rule of thumb is that successful applicants should score at a certain level that denotes readiness for academic work in English. All scores are sent to the institution code which is 3901. 

The table below suggests the minimum score requirements for the TOEFL iBT.

Exemptions for the TOEFL score at Tufts University

Even though it is mandatory for all applicants to fulfill the minimum TOEFL score requirement, there are certain situations where they can get exemptions and do not have to appear for the TOEFL exam. 

Below are some of the the certain conditions where if an individual satisfies one or more of the following conditions, they are not required to provide a TOEFL test score. 

• Citizenship in Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Guyana, or any other Anglophone African countries or English-speaking Caribbean nations 
• Have an earned college or university degree from the USA or any of the countries mentioned above or previously from an institution with English as a medium of instruction before submitting this application. 
• Currently a full-time student in a degree-granting program in the United States or at an English-speaking school. 
• The student must have completed two consecutive full-time academic years of college or university work, as of anticipated enrollment at Tufts University. 

If the applicant has appeared for any other alternative English proficiency tests, they can also submit the same to Tufts University. However, it is necessary that one must be aware of the minimum threshold of the English proficiency tests as well which is listed below in the table.

Best Approach to Attempt Different Sections in the TOEFL Exam

The best approach would be to create a plan on focusing on each of the sections in the TOEFL exam. This will help in improving an overall score in the TOEFL, making you achieve the minimum threshold and increase your chances of admission.

Reading Section: Skim the passage quickly so that you can get a rough idea of the feel of the paragraph, after which you will be able to answer all questions based on the key detail answer to each question. Also, look for Keywords in the questions and look for them in the passage to find answers fast. Don't spend too much time on the difficult questions and focus on one question type for a longer time. 

Listening Section: During listening, take notes and write down the big ideas, supporting details, and keywords because that will help you more correctly answer the questions after listening. Listen to the speaker's voice with key elements of a conversation or lecture on what arguments and be aware of what the structure is. Remember to stay focused and do not be distracted because it is time-consuming to listen to a long passage. 

Speaking Section: An answer should be well structured with a good introduction, body, and conclusion for clarity. Practice fluency, pronunciation, coherence, and structuring your ideas together. Staying on the main point is very important. 

Writing Section: Spend a few minutes formulating ideas as to how your essay will be organized and coherent with it. Provide a clear introduction, example-filled body paragraphs, and then a concise conclusion as well. Finally, leave some time to go over your essay for grammatical errors and clarity checks.