What Does Unofficial Score in TOEFL Mean?

If you've just completed the TOEFL iBT, you may be curious about the unofficial scores displayed for Reading and Listening. These scores provide immediate feedback on your performance but differ from the official scores you'll receive later.

Unofficial Scores vs. Official Scores

What are Unofficial Scores?

Unofficial TOEFL scores are the preliminary results you see immediately after completing the test. They cover only the Reading and Listening sections, as these are automatically graded by the testing system. These scores give you a snapshot of your performance and can help you estimate your potential overall score.

What about Official Scores?

Your official TOEFL score report is more comprehensive, including all four sections:

• Reading (scored automatically)

• Listening (scored automatically)

• Speaking (manually evaluated by human raters)

• Writing (manually evaluated by human raters)

Official scores are typically available in your ETS account around four days after you complete the test. These scores are the ones that universities and institutions rely on for admissions or other evaluations.

Score Delivery to Recipients

When it comes to delivering your official TOEFL scores to designated institutions, the time frame depends on the selected delivery method. Institutions receiving electronic reports might get your scores faster, while mailed reports can take longer. It’s crucial to monitor your ETS account for status updates and ensure that your score recipients are correctly listed before test day.

Understanding MyBest® Scores

One unique feature of TOEFL iBT is the inclusion of MyBest® scores on your official score report. This feature combines your highest section scores from all TOEFL iBT tests you’ve taken in the last two years.

For example:

• If you scored 24 in Reading on your first attempt and 27 in Listening on your second attempt, your MyBest® score report will feature these highest section scores.

MyBest® scores can showcase your top performance across multiple attempts, offering an advantage when applying to institutions that accept these scores.

TOEFL Scoring and Proficiency Levels

Each TOEFL section is scored on a scale of 0–30, categorized into proficiency levels:

These levels help test takers understand their abilities and areas for improvement.

Why Unofficial Scores Matter?

Although unofficial scores are not valid for applications or evaluations, they play a significant role:

• They provide an immediate assessment of your Reading and Listening abilities.

• Unofficial scores can help you determine whether your preparation strategies were effective.

• If your unofficial scores fall short of your target, you can plan further preparation for your Speaking and Writing sections or consider retaking the test.

Your unofficial TOEFL scores provide an invaluable preview of your Reading and Listening performance immediately after the test. While they are helpful, only the official scores, including all four sections, should be used for applications and formal evaluations. By understanding your scores and preparing strategically, you can improve your chances of achieving your target score on future attempts.

If you’re preparing for TOEFL or want to understand your score report better, stay focused and plan effectively. Success is just a well-prepared test away!

Also Read: 

• One Month Study Plan for TOEFL iBT® Exam 2024

• TOEFL iBT® Test Day: What to Expect and How to Prepare

• TOEFL iBT® Score Requirement for Harvard Admission 2024

• How to Send Your TOEFL iBT® Scores to Colleges?