TOEFL Score for MIT | What makes a competitive score

What is the applicable TOEFL score for MIT?

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is one of the most prevailing language aptitude tests for candidates to prove their English vocabulary skills while intending to get a Visa to study abroad. Moreover, TOEFL results are widely accepted worldwide and recognized by over 11,000 colleges & universities, including MIT, in more than 150 countries, including MIT. Thus, it becomes essential to comprehend the acceptable TOEFL score for MIT admission, what makes for an acceptable TOEFL result, and more. 

MIT TOEFL score requirement for undergraduate applicants 

International undergraduate candidates to MIT have five alternatives for establishing their English proficiency:

1. Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic
2. Duolingo English Test (DET)
3. Cambridge English Qualifications (C1 level Advanced or C2 level Proficiency)
4. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
5. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) 

Moreover, if you choose to move on the TOEFL route, here are the minimum marks you must get to secure admission to MIT: 

90 iBT / 577 PBT

While you do not need to get a higher score than the minimum marks to be accepted, MIT recommends that candidates score higher for an improved chance of admission. 

100 iBT / 600 PBT

No matter the marks you aspire for, you only need to guarantee you’re reaching a score of 90 or 100 in your TOEFL exam, which you can get with multiple assortments of section scores. For instance, if you’re aspiring for 100, you could try to obtain 25 on each of the four sections or something like 29, 22, 28, and 21.

Most MIT’s graduate courses need international candidates from non-English-speaking nations to present TOEFL marks with their applications. In addition, Graduate TOEFL prerequisites can also vary depending on the department/school and program you choose at the institute. At MIT, most graduate courses need a TOEFL examination score of at least 90 iBT (577 PBT). Nevertheless, some courses might need TOEFL scores slightly higher than the required 90 iBT (577 PBT). 

Moreover, numerous MIT graduate courses prefer IELTS scores over TOEFL marks. While some programs accept scores from either TOEFL or IELTS, others only accept IELTS scores. Hence, it is rational to always directly check the course requirements to understand its English proficiency requirements. Below is the tabular representation of the minimum TOEFL score requirements for some of MIT’s primary schools and courses. If a course does not accept TOEFL marks, you must take the IELTS instead.

School / Program	TOEFL Accepted?	Minimum Required TOEFL Score
School of Architecture and Planning	—	—
Media Arts and Sciences	No	—
Architecture	Yes	100 iBT (but may registerwith as low as 90 iBT)
School of Engineering	—	—
Aeronautics and Astronautics	Yes	100 iBT110 iBT (average)
Real Estate Development MS	Yes	100 iBT / 600 PBT (advised)
Urban Studies and Planning	Yes	100 iBT / 600 PBT
Chemical Engineering	Yes	100 iBT
Civil and Environmental Engineering	Yes	100 iBT
Mechanical Engineering	Yes	100 iBT / 577 PBT
Nuclear Science and Engineering	Yes	90 iBT / 577 PBT
Electrical Engineering and Computer Science PhD	Yes	100 iBT
Materials Science and Engineering	Yes	100 iBT / 600 PBT
Social and Engineering Systems PhD	No	—
Technology and Policy MS	No	—
School of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences	—	—
Sloan School of Management	—	—
History; Science, Anthropology; Technology, and Society (HASTS) PhD	Yes	90 iBT / 577 PBT
Political Science	Yes	100 iBT / 600 PBT
MBA	No (English-proficiency test not required)	—
Doctoral program	Yes	90 iBT / 577 PBT
School of Science	—	—
Biology PhD	Yes	100 iBT / 600 PBT
Brain and Cognitive Sciences PhD	Yes	None
Chemistry PhD	Yes	100 iBT
Earth, Atmospheric, and Planetary Sciences	Yes	100 iBT / 600 PBT
Microbiology PhD	Yes	100 iBT / 600 PBT
Operations Research	Yes	100 iBT
Physics PhD	Yes	100 iBT

In this table for MIT, TOEFL score prerequisites normally take two forms: minimum required marks and recommended scores.

• Required scores are marks you must achieve to qualify for MIT admission. If you do not score these marks, your application will be refused (unless you qualify for provisional admission).
• Recommended scores are marks you don’t need to obtain to qualify for MIT admission. Nevertheless, you will have a more promising chance of admission if you score them.

What to do when your score is close to the MIT TOEFL score requirement?

Below are some measures you can take if your marks are close to the TOEFL score for MIT 

• Contact your university program: Ask the university program department whether they are ready to reconsider your application despite your TOEFL marks being slightly lower than needed. If your program decides to reevaluate you for college admission, use the time before presenting your application to strengthen other aspects, such as your CV/resume and statement of purpose.
• Register for a TOEFL score review: If your desired course at MIT doesn’t offer provisional admission and won’t accept lower TOEFL marks, try getting a rescore. With this option, ETS (Educational Training Service) re-scores your Writing and Speaking sections, potentially increasing your total score by 1-3 points (though it could also reduce it!). A rescore is more suitable than reappearing for the examination as it’s more affordable and less time-consuming.
• Check whether you qualify for provisional admission: If your course offers provisional admission, you will most likely need to meet an English-language prerequisite or course before you can begin taking regular lessons at MIT.

Key takeaways

• Always remember that every university or college might need a specific TOEFL score. Thus, prepare for your test well and score accordingly.
• Studying and practicing thoroughly for your TOEFL test will assist you in improving your TOEFL scores for MIT admission. 
• To better prepare for your TOEFL test and get a more satisfactory score, it is reasonable to get a thorough study plan and stick to it to get admission to MIT.

Visit our website to learn more about applicable TOEFL scores with effective tips and tricks to improve your preparation!

Liked this blog? Read the TOEFL exam pattern, syllabus, scores, and results.

FAQs

Question 1. How long is the TOEFL iBT exam?

Answer: The TOEFL iBT exam duration is three hours. 

Question 2. How can candidates get their TOEFL examination report?

Answer: Upon finishing your TOEFL examination, you can receive your TOEFL score report in your registered email after six days. Moreover, you can check your TOEFL scores in your ETS Account and download a copy of the TOEFL score statement from your official ETS account within eight days after your test.   

Question 3. Are unofficial TOEFL test scores accurate?

Answer: TOEFL candidates should note that the unofficial test scores or results match the official marks most of the time.