4.5 overall on the current scale
Scope: International undergraduate first-year and transfer English proficiency.
| Policy | Current overall (1–6) | Current section conditions | Before Jan. 21, 2026 (0–120) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate first-year and transfer admission | 4.5 | No separate section minimum listed | 80 |
The old column records the university’s historical requirement. It is not a conversion of the current column. Read the date conditions below before using either.
Section scores, test dates and policy scope
The page says the 4.5 requirement applies to exams taken after January 21, 2026 and the old requirement to exams before that date. If your sitting was on January 21 itself, confirm the boundary with Admissions. MyBest scores are not accepted.
Sending your result
Send official TOEFL or accepted Home Edition results directly through ETS using code 2660. Scores must be less than two years old, and your legal name must match your application. Check whether an exemption applies before booking a test.
Confirm the current instructions and deadline on the official Penn State admissions page.
What to practice for this requirement
For a current application, plan around the university’s published 4.5 requirement rather than its historical 80-point number. Use section feedback to find the most useful next task.
Choose a TOEFL practice task or review the task guides. Meeting a test threshold does not guarantee admission.
Compare policies without converting the requirement
The TOEFL score converter explains the general relationship between current bands and old overall scores. Use Penn State’s published policy above for your application.
If you are considering another accepted test, read the separate Penn State Duolingo English Test profile. The DET requirement is independently set, not calculated from TOEFL.
Official source and review date
Pennsylvania State University — admissions requirements, reviewed by PrepEx on . Confirm exemptions, test-date limits, program and intake details with the university.