Program-level details
Boston University undergraduate admission requires a minimum TOEFL iBT of 90 with sub-section minimums of 21 in Reading, 18 in Listening, 23 in Speaking, and 22 in Writing. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences sets a minimum of TOEFL iBT 84, though most professional programs — including Questrom School of Business (MBA 100), the School of Law LLM (105), and the School of Medicine — require higher scores. BU does not accept the Duolingo English Test for most schools as of the 2026 cycle; verify the current list of accepted tests on the school's admissions page.
Translating this score to the 2026 1-6 band scale
From January 2026, ETS reports the TOEFL iBT on a 1.0-6.0 band scale (in 0.5 increments) rather than the legacy 0-120 scale. Boston University (BU)'s undergraduate minimum of 90 corresponds to roughly band 4.5, which aligns with CEFR B2 high. The graduate minimum of 84 corresponds to band 4.0 (B2). For a more precise read on what these bands mean for your speaking, writing, listening, and reading, take a free TOEFLMock practice test — you'll see your score reported on both scales side-by-side.
Other accepted English tests
Boston University (BU) typically accepts: IELTS 7.0 (undergraduate); IELTS 7.0 (most graduate programs); Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency at qualifying grades. Many universities accept the Duolingo English Test, and some accept Cambridge English Advanced (C1) or Proficiency (C2). Acceptance and minimum thresholds for alternative tests change frequently — verify against the current admissions page before relying on a specific alternative.
How to prepare for the Boston University (BU) TOEFL minimum
A target of 90 on the TOEFL iBT is a band 4.5 performance. Realistically, this means consistently scoring well across all four sections, since universities almost always set sub-section minimums (typically 22 in each of Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing for top-tier programs). The fastest way to spot which section is holding you back is to take a full-length practice test under timed conditions and compare your section bands. From there, focused section practice is more productive than another full-length attempt.
- Take a free full-length TOEFL practice test to see your starting band
- Reading practice — 16 free 2026-format reading tests
- Listening practice — 16 free 2026-format listening tests with the new task types
- Writing practice — 16 free Build-a-Sentence + Email + Academic Discussion tests
- Speaking practice — 16 free Listen-and-Repeat + video Interview tests
Common questions
What is the minimum TOEFL score for Boston University (BU)? ▾
Boston University (BU) requires a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 90 for undergraduate admission and 84 for most graduate programs. Boston University undergraduate admission requires a minimum TOEFL iBT of 90 with sub-section minimums of 21 in Reading, 18 in Listening, 23 in Speaking, and 22 in Writing. The Graduate School of Arts and Sciences sets a minimum of TOEFL iBT 84, though most professional programs — including Questrom School of Business (MBA 100), the School of Law LLM (105), and the School of Medicine — require higher scores. BU does not accept the Duolingo English Test for most schools as of the 2026 cycle; verify the current list of accepted tests on the school's admissions page.
What if my TOEFL score is below the Boston University (BU) minimum? ▾
If you score below the Boston University (BU) minimum, options include retaking the TOEFL after focused practice, taking an alternative accepted test (IELTS 7.0 (undergraduate); IELTS 7.0 (most graduate programs); Cambridge English C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency at qualifying grades), or applying to a pre-sessional English program offered by the university.
Does Boston University (BU) accept the Duolingo English Test? ▾
Many universities now accept the Duolingo English Test as an alternative to TOEFL. Whether Boston University (BU) accepts it depends on the program and the year — verify against the official admissions page linked above.
How do I send my TOEFL scores to Boston University (BU)? ▾
Official TOEFL scores are sent directly from ETS to the university you specify. You can list up to four institutions to receive your scores at no extra cost when you register for the test. Additional score reports cost a fee per institution.
Verify before applying
University admission requirements change. Always confirm the current TOEFL minimum on the official Boston University (BU) admissions page before applying. The figures on this page were last verified 2026-05-19 and reflect publicly stated institutional minimums; specific programs may set higher thresholds, and some courses (medicine, law, education) frequently do.