TOEIC® Score: How to Interpret Your Result?

The TOEIC® Listening and Reading test is scored out of a total of 990 points, equally divided between two sections:

Listening: 5 to 495 points
Reading: 5 to 495 points

The score is not simply calculated by counting the number of correct answers. ETS (Educational Testing Service) uses a statistical conversion system called an "equated score" which takes into account the relative difficulty of each test version.

Complementary Resource

🔗 Overall preparation for the TOEIC®

Why this system?

This system ensures that your TOEIC® score reflects your actual level, regardless of the version of the test you take. If you encounter a more difficult version, the conversion curve will compensate so that your score remains fair.

In concrete terms: getting 80 correct answers out of 100 does not systematically give you the same score depending on the test difficulty. This is why it is impossible to predict your exact final score just by counting your correct answers.

Each section contains 100 questions:

Listening: 4 parts (photos, question-response, conversations, talks)
Reading: 3 parts (sentence completion, text completion, text comprehension)

Official Correspondence Between TOEIC® Score and CEFR Levels

Here are the official equivalences established by ETS between TOEIC® scores and CEFR levels:

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Important Points to Remember

These correspondences are official and internationally recognized. Unlike other approximate grids, these thresholds are defined by ETS itself.

Note: The TOEIC® only assesses comprehension (listening and reading), not expression. A high score therefore does not guarantee that you speak or write English fluently, but it attests to your ability to understand professional English.

What Does Each Level Mean in Practice?

Level A1-A2 (120-549 points): Beginner/Elementary

Skills: You understand isolated sentences and common expressions. You can communicate in very simple and familiar situations.

In a professional context: This level is insufficient for most positions requiring English. You will need to progress significantly to meet standard professional requirements.

Priority: Consolidate basic grammar and develop fundamental vocabulary.

Level B1 (550-784 points): Intermediate

Skills: You understand the main points of a conversation on familiar topics. You can manage in most travel situations and follow the gist of meetings on predictable themes.

In a professional context: This level is acceptable for roles involving occasional use of English (reading simple emails, understanding basic documents). However, it remains insufficient for international roles or English-speaking companies.

Note: Many top schools require a minimum of 785 points (B2 threshold), so a score of 750 is usually not enough to validate your degree.

Level B2 (785-944 points): Independent

Skills: You understand technical discussions in your area of specialization. You communicate fluently with native English speakers and actively participate in English meetings.

In a professional context: This is the minimum threshold required by most top business and engineering schools (usually 785-850 points). This level allows you to work effectively in an international environment.

Important Thresholds:

785 points: Minimum B2 level (required for many degrees)
850 points: Solid B2 (required by HEC, ESSEC, Sciences Po)

Level C1 (945-990 points): Advanced Autonomous

Skills: You understand long and complex texts, including implicit nuances. You express yourself spontaneously and fluently. You use English flexibly in a professional context.

In a professional context: This is the level of excellence. You can hold positions with a strong international dimension, manage English-speaking teams, or work entirely in English. Many CAC 40 companies seek this level for their executives.

Minimum C1 Score: 945 points (minimum 490 in Listening + 455 in Reading)

Understanding Your Score Section by Section

Your TOEIC® result details your performance in each section. Analyzing these two scores separately is crucial for identifying your areas for improvement.

Analyze Your Profile

Balanced Profile: If your two scores are close (e.g., 400 Listening + 385 Reading = 785), your level is consistent. Continue to progress on both fronts.

"Strong Listening" Profile: If your Listening is clearly superior (e.g., 450 Listening + 335 Reading = 785), you understand spoken English well but have gaps in written grammar and vocabulary. Focus your efforts on the Reading section.

"Strong Reading" Profile: If your Reading is superior (e.g., 350 Listening + 435 Reading = 785), you master grammar but need to work on your aural comprehension, especially varied accents and speaking speed.

Section Thresholds to Know

To reach level B2 (785 points), you must achieve a minimum of:

400 points in Listening
385 points in Reading

To reach level C1 (945 points), you must achieve a minimum of:

490 points in Listening (near-perfect)
455 points in Reading

If you have 380 in Listening and 450 in Reading, you total 830 points (B2 level), but you do not meet the minimum section thresholds to move to the next level. You must absolutely improve in Listening to aim for C1.

How to Interpret Your Score According to Your Goals?

To Validate Your Degree

Requirements vary depending on the institution:

Business Schools:

HEC Paris, ESSEC, ESCP: 850 minimum
SKEMA, Grenoble EM, Audencia: 815-850
Other top 15 schools: 785-815

Engineering Schools:

Polytechnique, Centrale: 850+
Other schools: generally 750-800

Universities:

Sciences Po: 850 minimum
IAE, Universities: 750-785

Always check the specific requirements of your institution.

For an Internship or Job

In France with an international dimension:

Minimum required: 785 (B2 level)
Recommended: 850+ (Solid B2/C1 level)
Differentiating factor: 900+

For a position entirely in English:

Minimum: 850
Recommended: 900+
Ideal: 945+ (C1 level)

For Studying Abroad

English-speaking universities prefer the TOEFL or IELTS, but some accept the TOEIC®:

Master's Programs: 850-900 minimum
MBA: 900+ often required

Tip: Find out precisely about the certifications accepted by your target institutions.

To Enhance Your CV

On a CV, a TOEIC® score is relevant if it is above 785 (minimum B2 level). Below this, simply state your CEFR level without mentioning the exact score.

Golden rule: Only mention your score if it is recent (less than 2 years old) and advantageous for the position sought.

What to Do After Receiving Your Score?

If Your Score Is Below Your Expectations

Thousands of candidates improve by 100 to 200 points in a few months with targeted preparation.

Concrete actions:

Analyze your errors by section and question type
Target your weaknesses: Which section? Which type of exercise?
Practice regularly: 30 minutes/day > 3 hours/week
Retake a test in 3-6 months after intensive preparation

If Your Score Meets Your Goals

Congratulations! Now:

Showcase your score: CV, LinkedIn, application files
Keep your certificate: Digital and paper copies
Maintain your level: Continue practicing regularly
Aim higher: If you have 785, why not 850 or 945?

Retake Strategy

You can retake the TOEIC® as many times as you wish. ETS recommends waiting a minimum of 3 months between two sittings.

Action plan:

Identify the 20% of errors costing you 80% of the points
Focus on these specific weak points
Do timed mock tests regularly
Work on your time management (often a limiting factor)

Ready to take action?

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