Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 1 November 2026
SCAD TOEFL minimums by test date
SCAD publishes the same TOEFL benchmarks in its graduate international admission information and its first-year international admission information. Meeting them earns an ESL waiver.
| Level or programme | TOEFL iBT minimum | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| First-year and graduate, test on or after 21 Jan 2026 | 4.5 overall | Listening and Speaking 4.0; Reading and Writing 4.5 |
| First-year and graduate, test before 21 Jan 2026 | 85 overall | At least 20 in each section |
How SCAD handles TOEFL scores
Both documents say the benchmarks must come from a single test administration. SCAD does not accept TOEFL MyBest scores or any other form of superscoring.
Students who meet the overall score but miss a section minimum are reviewed case by case for a possible exemption. If the overall score is not met, no exceptions are made.
For comparison, the same documents set IELTS at 6.5 overall with at least 6.5 in both Reading and Writing.
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored IELTS mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free IELTS mock test, IELTS reading practice, IELTS listening practice and IELTS speaking predictions.
If your TOEFL score is below SCAD's level
Otherwise qualified applicants who miss the ESL waiver scores may still be considered for admission. They take a placement test run by the SCAD Language Studio, which decides whether ESL classes are needed and at what level. Completing the SCAD Language Studio less than two years before starting a degree is another route to the waiver.
Requirements vary by programme and change between admissions cycles. The score that binds you is the one on your SCAD programme page and in your offer letter, so check it there before you book a test.
Frequently asked questions
What TOEFL score does SCAD require?+
4.5 overall with Listening and Speaking 4.0 and Reading and Writing 4.5, or 85 with 20 per section for tests before 21 January 2026.
Does SCAD accept TOEFL MyBest scores?+
No. Scores must come from a single test administration.
Is the TOEFL requirement the same for graduate and first-year applicants?+
Yes. Both SCAD documents give the same benchmarks.
What if I miss one SCAD section minimum?+
If your overall score is met, SCAD reviews you case by case for a possible exemption.
Keep reading
Related
- SCAD IELTS requirement
- The new TOEFL score scale (2026)
- IELTS vs TOEFL for the USA
- TOEFL score report explained
- All 4564 guides
Guide updated on 1 November 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy