PrepTOEIC
Guide

Understanding the TOEIC score: scale, levels and interpretation

How the TOEIC is scored from 10 to 990, which CEFR level your score maps to, and what target to aim for — the essentials, without the jargon.

The PrepTOEIC team8 min read

How is the TOEIC scored?

The TOEIC Listening & Reading is scored on a scale from 10 to 990 points. It has two sections of 100 questions each:

  • Listening — scored from 5 to 495 points;
  • Reading — scored from 5 to 495 points.

Your total score is the sum of the two. 990 is the maximum, 10 the minimum.

The score is not a percentage

Contrary to a common belief, your score does not equal the number of correct answers. The TOEIC uses a "scaled" score: the same number of correct answers can yield a slightly different score from one session to another, because difficulty is adjusted through a conversion table.

This is the logic our placement test reproduces: it converts your answers into an estimated TOEIC score, rather than a simple percentage.

TOEIC score ↔ CEFR level equivalences

The CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is the A1 → C2 scale used by employers and schools. Here are the indicative correspondences:

Score TOEICCECRL 
120 – 224A1Basic notions
225 – 549A2Simple everyday exchanges
550 – 784B1Independence in common situations
785 – 944B2Fluency in a professional context
945 – 990C1Full operational command

Indicative benchmarks aligned with the TOEIC scale; exact thresholds may vary by organization.

What is a specific score worth?

Pick a score to see in detail what it represents, the matching CEFR level and how to move up to the next tier:

What TOEIC score should you aim for?

It depends on your goal:

  • Jobs in an international environment: around 785 (B2) is a widely requested benchmark;
  • Schools & degrees: often between 750 and 850 depending on the institution;
  • Visa / immigration: requirements vary — check the exact threshold required.

Set a realistic target from your current level: the placement test estimates your starting score and the gap to close.

How to make progress efficiently

Once your level is set, target your weak points rather than revising at random. PrepTOEIC builds a personalized path Part by Part, with progress tracking and regular practice.

Find out your real level in 15 min

The free placement test pinpoints your level and generates your personalized path.

Take the level test