For universities like Harvard and Yale, the required TOEFL score is 100, I got a 92, these 8 points would be a game changer ? even if I have 1 certificate from a english school ?
I would think so, unless you have some other way to prove English fluency (not sure if “one certificate from an English school” counts).
@MITer94 actually is a certificate from a English school from Canada, Hansa school, and I have other one from a english school from Brazil.But well, I’ll try to do it again, the only problem is that money, it is a expensive test.
Osevie -
For Harvard and Yale, you need to be able to use English as well as the very best students who graduate from high school in the US. If the way you write here is a good sample of your English skills, you aren’t ready for Harvard or Yale yet. That means that you should consider enrolling in an intensive English course for at least a full semester in the US, Canada, the UK, Australia, or New Zealand and concentrate on perfecting your English.
If they’re required, then they’re required and generally there’s no way around it.
This is Harvard’s way of making sure that International applicants have an English level proficient enough to be able to communicate with peers in their school, understand what the professors are saying etc.
Generally, Harvard and Yale don’t give out many requirements, a lot of their stuff is recommended. But when they ever require something, it has to be strictly met, or your application won’t even be looked at.
@happymomof1 sorry, the way I’m writing here is not at my best. I was worried so I typed fast, this 92 really shocked me.
I intend to take the Toefl PBT but I have no idea if is harder to get a 600+ than a 100+ on the IBT. Do you know anything about the PBT ?
@rdeng2614 thanks for the answer. I’ve been looking for some toefl pbt test to see what awaits me, I guess(hope) that I’ll do better on the PBT, a lot of the their questions ask about which word is the correct or wrong, and I am used to these types of questions.
I think even if you have a certificate of English, schools will like to see the toefl score because it is more reliable. It doesn’t have a lot of weight on your app, but obviously the only way to prove it that you can speak, listen, and write English is with that test. Most of IVY’s and other top schools require 100+. If you did great on the SAT CR, then you don’t have nothing to be scared. Most of the schools say that if you have a good score on CR, then no toefl is required. I think JHU ask for 680 on CR. I will suggest you to look their policy. Good luck!
@jr1231 I’m taking the ACT 
but thanks
Then look for the schools if they waived if you score 32+ on reading. Good luck!
Btw, can you take the Toefl again?
@jr12317 I can, but the PBT. Do you have any idea if is harder to score a 600 on the toefl PBT than a 100 on IBT ?
Not sure, I have heard that the IBT is easier than the PBT. Try to do a PBT diagnostic test.
@jr12317 that’s weird, I just read that the PBT is easier hahaha. This is something that must different for each person.
About the diagnostic test, I’ve done it already, to see what it’s like, I felt more comfortable with that format.
So then go for it. Good luck!
The TOEFL score is a cutoff. They may make an exception for someone with a 99 vs. 100, but that’s about it. Once students reach the 100 mark, whether they have 102 or 112 doesn’t matter at all, only the application does.