What is the fee of registering for the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

Applicants who choose to take the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition must pay an amount of INR 16,900 for registering, which is the same for TOEFL iBT.

How many times is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition conducted in a month?

The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is offered once or twice every month.

As the TOEFL iBT exam is conducted in two sessions, do I have to book two dates or one?

You need to schedule two appointments when you register: one at your neighbourhood testing facility and the other at your house.

In some places, why is the duration of the first session of TOEFL iBT Paper Edition written as three and half hours? What is the actual duration?

The test duration at a centre is three hours. An additional thirty minutes is allocated for test administration tasks, such as admitting examinees, allowing them to input identifying information, and managing test materials.

Are there any special requirements for the Speaking section of the TOEFL iBT Paper Edition?

As the Speaking section is conducted from home, please ensure that you have the required setup for both the equipment and environment before registering. You will get the details from the official website.

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TOEFL Cut-Off for Top USA Universities

TOEFL iBT® Cut-off for Top USA Universities

Akanksha Tripathi

4 min read

Updated On January 27, 2025

"Top universities in the USA, such as Harvard, Stanford, Caltech, Cornell, and UC Berkeley, typically accept TOEFL scores ranging from 80 to 110. Read more to learn about the specific TOEFL requirements for these top institutions."

Key Highlights

TOEFL Cut-off for Top 20 USA Universities
Scholarships at TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA
How to Apply to Top Universities in USA as an International Student

To gain admission to top USA universities like MIT, Stanford, UC Berkeley, and Harvard, your TOEFL score must fall within a range of 80 to 110. These scores are crucial for securing a spot at some of the best institutions globally. Let’s explore the TOEFL Cut-Off for Top USA Universities, based on the QS World Rankings 2025, and also look at the scholarships available for international students.

Check out: TOEFL iBT® Score Requirements for USA Study Visa

TOEFL Cut-off for Top 20 USA Universities

Here are the TOEFL cut-off requirements for the top 20 US universities, along with their QS World Ranking for 2025:

University Name	QS World Ranking 2025	Overall TOEFL iBT® Score	Section-wise TOEFL iBT® score
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)	1	90	-
Harvard University	4	100	-
Stanford University	6	89-100	-
California Institute of Technology (Caltech)	10	100	No less than 25 in each section
University of Pennsylvania	11	100	-
University of California, Berkeley (UCB)	12	80	-
Cornell University	16	100	-
University of Chicago	21	100	Reading, Listening, and Writing - 26 Speaking - 22
Princeton University	22	108	Reading - 29 Listening - 28 Speaking - 24 Writing - 27
Yale University	23	100	Listening - 28 Speaking - 28
Johns Hopkins University	32	100	-
Columbia University	34	100	-
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)	42	87	Reading - 21 Listening - 17 Speaking - 24 Writing - 25
New York University (NYU)	43	100 and above	-
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	44	88	Reading - 23 Listening - 23 Speaking - 21 Writing - 21
Northwestern University	50	71	-
Carnegie Mellon University	58	102	-
Duke University	61	90	-
University of Texas	66	79	-
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign	69	79-102	-

Check out: What Your TOEFL iBT® Exam Scores Mean

Scholarships at TOEFL Accepting Universities in USA

Here are some scholarships available at TOEFL accepting universities in the USA for international students:

1. Fulbright Foreign Student Program

Coverage: Tuition, living expenses, airfare, and health insurance.
Amount: Varies by country.
Eligibility: International students pursuing a Master's or Ph.D.

2. Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship Program

Coverage: Full funding including tuition, allowances, and travel.
Amount: Varies.
Eligibility: Professionals with leadership potential in public service.

3. Clark University Presidential Scholarships

Coverage: Full tuition, on-campus room, and board for four years.
Amount: Full tuition.
Eligibility: Exceptional academic and leadership potential.

4. East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellowship

Coverage: Tuition, books, housing, and a stipend.
Amount: Full funding for up to 24 months.
Eligibility: Graduate students from Asia, the Pacific, and the USA.

5. American University Emerging Global Leader Scholarship

Coverage: Full tuition, room, and board.
Amount: Full tuition.
Eligibility: International students with leadership potential.

6. Yale University Scholarships

Coverage: Full funding depending on financial need.
Amount: Average need-based scholarship is over $50,000.
Eligibility: International students with demonstrated financial need.

7. University of Oregon ICSP Scholarship

Coverage: Partial to full tuition waivers.
Amount: Up to full tuition for 15 credits per term.
Eligibility: Based on financial need and academic merit

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How to Apply to Top Universities in USA as an International Student

Here are easy steps to help international students navigate the application process for USA universities:

1. Search for universities: Look for different universities in USA that offer your interest program. Consider location, campus size, available majors, etc. Check its ranking and reputation in your field of study as well.

2. Check Admission Requirements: Every university has its own set of rules for international applicants. These may pertain to academic qualifications, test scores, language proficiency, etc.

3. Take necessary tests: Most colleges and universities require some form of standardized test scores to be sent in with the admission application. For undergraduates, this usually translates into taking the SAT or ACT. Graduate students are often required to take the Graduate Record Examination, depending on graduate fields of study.

4. Language tests: If English is not your first language, you more than likely will have to take the TOEFL.

5. Gather documents: Get all documents that schools require, which include:

Academic transcripts
Test score reports
Passport copy

6. Financial supporting documents: Ability to fund studies in the US.

7. Draft your essays: Most universities require personal statements or essays. These should underline all your achievements and goals, stating why you have chosen this university.

8. Recommendation letters: Get professors or employers to write strong letters of recommendation on your behalf. Make sure you allow them enough time to write these.

9. Filling up the application forms: There is an application form to be filled up for each university. Fill them up carefully and check all the information before submitting.

10. Applying for aid: Seek scholarships, grants, or assistantships available for international students. Keep in mind that the choices are going to be less than what is available to US students.

11. Sending applications: Mail all the materials before the deadline. The mode of submission may be different for each university.

12. Application for a Student Visa: After gaining admission, the next step is to apply for a U.S. student visa, which includes fulfilling all requirements and attending an interview.

We hope this guide has simplified the process of applying to top USA universities. With the right TOEFL score, you're one step closer to your dream university. Good luck with your applications!

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