"Good" means "meets your target school's bar"
A TOEFL score isn't graded on a curve against other test-takers — it's a threshold your university (or employer, or visa program) sets to confirm you can function academically in English. A 4.0 that clears your target program's requirement is a good score. A 5.0 that falls short of a more competitive program's bar isn't, even though it's objectively higher. The question to answer first is always "what does my target require," not "what's impressive."
Typical bands by university tier
These are general patterns, not universal rules — always confirm with your specific program, since requirements vary by department and some are still transitioning to the new scale (see below).
- Top 20 US/UK universities, competitive graduate programs: Band 5.0+ (roughly old-scale 100+) is a common target; some highly selective programs look for 5.5+.
- Mid-tier state universities, most undergraduate programs: Band 4.0–4.5 (roughly old-scale 72–99) is a typical minimum.
- Community colleges, pathway/foundation programs: Band 3.0–3.5 (roughly old-scale 42–71) is often sufficient.
See the full score conversion chart for exact band-to-old-score mapping, and university requirements by band for how to look up your specific target.
Section scores can matter as much as the overall
Some programs set a minimum on individual sections, not just the overall average — for example, "overall 4.5, no section below 4.0." A strong Reading score can't compensate for a weak Speaking score if your target has a per-section floor. Check your program's requirements for section minimums before you decide which skills to prioritize in prep.
What each band roughly means day to day
Beyond admissions cutoffs, the band scale maps to CEFR levels that describe real-world ability:
- Band 5.0–6.0 (≈C1–C2): You can follow academic lectures, write structured essays, and handle nuanced discussion without much strain.
- Band 4.0–4.5 (≈B2): You can manage most university coursework but may need extra time or effort with dense academic material.
- Band 3.0–3.5 (≈B1): You can communicate on familiar topics but will likely find unmodified academic English demanding.
Full descriptors are in our band scores explained guide.
Find out where you actually stand
Guessing your level from how confident you feel in English is unreliable — most test-takers over- or under-estimate by a full band. A short, free diagnostic gives you a real number to plan against.