#  TOEFL Requirements 

 



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Applicants who only have international academic degrees must demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting official **Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)** scores. The following minimum scores apply to applicants to Harvard School of Dental Medicine Advanced Graduate Education (AGE) and Advanced Standing programs.

## HSDM TOEFL minimum test scores

SortCategoryTests taken before January 21, 2026\*Tests taken after January 21, 2026Overall score

90

4.5

Speaking 

23

4.5

Writing

21

4.5

Reading

21

4.5

Listening

17

4.5





\*Acceptable scores have been slightly adjusted from the official TOEFL score conversion ranges to ensure compliance with **Massachusetts dental licensure regulations** while maintaining HSDM’s previous minimum score standards.

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### TOEFL waiver criteria

HSDM will waive the TOEFL requirement for applicants who have earned a **qualifying degree from an accredited post-secondary school where the curriculum and textbooks were in English.**

Eligible degrees include:

- **Bachelor’s degree** (e.g., BA, BS)
- **Master’s degree** (minimum two-year program; e.g., MS, MA, MPH)
- **Doctoral degree** (e.g., PhD, EdD)
- **Dental degree** (DDS or DMD)

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### Acceptable test formats

HSDM accepts **TOEFL iBT scores only**. Applicants may submit **MyBest scores**, which combine an applicant’s highest section scores across multiple TOEFL iBT test dates. Tests taken **in person are preferred**, though the **TOEFL iBT Home Edition** is also accepted.

**Scores must be from tests taken within the past two years.**