Most students preparing for the TOEFL are chasing a number they have never actually looked up. They study for months aiming at “a good score” without knowing what the college in front of them requires. In Fullerton, that number is smaller than most people assume, and for some students it is not required at all.
ETS does not decide what counts as passing. Each campus does, and the two schools closest to our Fullerton students publish different requirements.
Cal State Fullerton asks international first-time freshmen to meet English proficiency with one test: TOEFL iBT 61 or higher, IELTS 5.5 or higher, or PTE 43 or higher. That 61 is the CSU system floor, and individual campuses are allowed to set a higher bar for certain programs, so always check the department as well as the university.
Fullerton College accepts a wider range: TOEFL 61 for tests taken before January 2026 or a 4.0 band for tests taken after, IELTS Band 5, Duolingo English Test 95, iTEP Level 3.5, or PTE Academic 44.
Notice how far apart those options are. A student who cannot reach 61 on the TOEFL may already qualify with a Duolingo 95 or an IELTS Band 5. Before you register for another TOEFL attempt, read the actual admission page of the actual college you want.
The TOEFL changed on January 21, 2026. Scores are now reported on a 1 to 6 band scale in half-point increments, with a band for each section and an overall band that is the average of the four section scores rounded to the nearest half band. The bands are aligned to the CEFR, so a 5 corresponds to C1 in that skill.
That is why Fullerton College lists two numbers: one for the old 0 to 120 reports and one for the new bands. If you tested last year, your old score is still readable. If you test now, learn the band you need rather than converting in your head. For section-by-section strategy on the shorter 2026 format, see our earlier guide on TOEFL prep in Fullerton.
Fullerton College also accepts completion of an approved local intensive English program instead of a test score, and American English Language School Level 5 is named on that list. Finish Level 5 with us and your certificate satisfies the English requirement. No TOEFL score, no test-day nerves, no retake fees.
Level 5 is the highest of our six ESL levels, and this is the same foundation behind our College Pathway agreements with fifteen accredited colleges and universities. We walked through how that works in our guide to getting into college without the TOEFL.
If you are applying directly to a university like CSUF, you need a test score, so build a study plan around a specific target rather than a vague one. If you plan to start at a community college and transfer later, the Level 5 route is often faster and cheaper than repeating the exam, and you spend those months genuinely improving your English instead of drilling test questions.
Not sure which level you are starting from? Our placement test tells you in one sitting, and it is credited toward your tuition when you enroll.
Our Fullerton campus sits on Imperial Highway near CSUF, where the 57 and 91 freeways meet, and we have been teaching this exact route since 2008. Classes are small and conversation-focused, which is what raises a Speaking band and what makes Level 5 mean something in a real classroom.
Our TOEFL Guarantee Program is built for students chasing a specific score, and we host an official TOEFL iBT Testing Center right on campus, with Saturday testing in Fullerton, so you can prepare and test in the same familiar room.
Score requirements and accepted alternatives change, so confirm the current numbers with the admissions office of the college you are applying to before you plan around them.
Learn more about our ESL programs at www.aels.edu or visit our AELS Fullerton location on Google Maps to experience small-group English classes focused on conversation, confidence, and real-life communication.
Published on September 9, 2026
American English Language School (AELS) is a CEA-accredited and SEVP-approved English language school authorized to issue I-20 forms for international students. Located in Los Angeles, Orange County (Fullerton), and Irvine, California, AELS offers small classes, conversation-focused lessons, and proven results through individualized learning experiences. If you’re serious about improving your English, join AELS today!