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700
TOEIC score meaning

Is 700 a good TOEIC score?

Yes. A TOEIC 700 is a solid upper-intermediate score: it maps to CEFR B1 (B2 begins at 785), sits above both the Japan (564) and Korea (682) national averages, and clears the English screen for many mainstream jobs. Here is exactly what a 700 shows, what you can do with it, and the 85-point gap to the next tier.

Yes, a good, competitive scoreSolid upper-intermediate, a common first target
Level
CEFR B1 · ETS/IIBC level C · upper-intermediate
vs average
Above the Japan average (564), just above Korea (682)
Good for
The English screen at many mainstream jobs and universities
Next tier
785 (B2), the common hiring bar, is 85 points away

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What a TOEIC 700 actually means

On the Listening & Reading scale (10 to 990), a 700 is a genuine working level of English. Using ETS's own CEFR concordance it is CEFR B1, and on the ETS/IIBC A to E scale it is level C. In plain terms, you can handle familiar, predictable situations at work and in study: read routine emails and reports, follow clear spoken instructions and short conversations, and get the gist of longer texts with some effort. It is above the point where English stops being a barrier for everyday tasks, and below the point where you operate with full ease in demanding, native-paced settings.

The one thing most people get wrong: a 700 is B1, not B2. ETS maps 550 to 780 to CEFR B1 and 785 to 940 to B2, so a 700 is upper B1 and falls exactly 85 points short of the B2 threshold at 785. If a job or program asks for "B2", a 700 does not yet meet it, but it is close.

B1 CEFR

Upper part of the B1 band (550 to 780). Independent-user English for familiar topics. The next band, B2, starts at 785.

Upper-intermediate
Level C ETS / IIBC

The A to E level printed on the certificate. C (470 to 725) means you satisfy limited, familiar work and everyday demands. Level B begins at 730.

Working level
Above avg vs national means

Higher than Japan's 564 average and a touch above Korea's 682 (ETS 2025 worldwide report). A 700 puts you ahead of the typical test taker in both markets.

Ahead of average
85 pts to the next tier

The distance from 700 to 785, the B2 hiring bar. A realistic, focused next goal rather than a leap. Most of it is won in Reading.

One step to go

Where a 700 sits on the scale

The fairest way to read any TOEIC number is against the people who sit the same test. Here is a 700 against the two national averages and the B2 hiring bar:

700 · YouCEFR B1
Japan avg
564
Korea avg
682
B2 bar
785

So a 700 is comfortably clear of the Japan average, sits just above the Korea average, and is within striking distance of the 785 mark that unlocks CEFR B2. One honest caveat: ETS does not publish a percentile for the total score (only per section), so ignore any site that tells you "a 700 total is the Nth percentile." Comparing against the national average, as above, is the accurate way to see where you stand.

Is a 700 good for jobs and university?

"Good" always depends on the goal, so here is the honest, market-general picture. We keep specific numbers general on purpose, because exact cutoffs vary by employer and school and change over time, check the requirement for your own target.

For jobs screening

Around 600 is a common English screening floor, so a 700 clears it comfortably and passes for many general and domestic-facing roles. Global-facing roles, trading companies in Japan and the most competitive large employers often ask for 785 to 860+, so treat 700 as a strong first target.

Clears many bars
For university admissions & credit

Universities use TOEIC for graduation rules, course credit, exemptions and transfer (편입) screening. A 700 meets or beats a large number of these general thresholds. English-medium tracks and competitive programs can want 785 (B2)+.

Meets many thresholds
On a resume signal

A 700 reads as "can work in English at an everyday level." It is a credible, above-average line on a CV, especially paired with a recent date, and a clear sign you are on an upward track toward B2.

Credible signal
As a milestone progress

For most learners, 700 is the first "real" milestone past the average. It proves your method works and sets up the push to 785 and then 800+, where the score becomes globally hire-ready.

Strong first target

What you can do with a TOEIC 700

Concretely, a B1-level 700 tends to mean you can:

  • Read and reply to routine work emails and short reports in English
  • Follow clear announcements, instructions and short conversations
  • Pass the English screen for a wide range of general and domestic roles
  • Meet many university graduation, credit and exemption requirements
  • Show recruiters an above-average, upward-trending English level

Where a 700 still has room: fast native-paced discussion, dense Part 7 reading under time, and nuanced or specialised vocabulary. Those are exactly the skills that carry you from B1 into B2.

700 in the full TOEIC context

How a 700 relates to the bands right around it, using ETS's CEFR concordance and the ETS/IIBC A to E levels:

TOEIC L&RCEFRETS levelWhat it signals
785–990B2–C1AHire-ready for global roles, the common employer bar
730–780B1BCompetitive; a frequent large-company benchmark
700 youB1CSolid working level, above average, one step from B2
550–695B1CIntermediate; clears general screening bars
470–545A2–B1CLower-intermediate; a developing base

Want to turn a number of correct answers into an estimated score first? Use the TOEIC score converter, or see the full TOEIC to CEFR and Eiken chart.

700 to 785 (or 800): closing the gap

The jump from a 700 (upper B1) to 785 (B2) is one focused step, not a different league. In practice, most of the 85 points are hiding in Reading: Part 5 grammar speed, Part 6 text completion, and above all Part 7, where time pressure causes rushed guesses at the end. A clear plan:

FocusWhy it moves 700 → 785+
Timed full mocksTrains stamina and pacing so you finish Part 7 without panic-guessing
Review every missTurns repeat error patterns (tense, prepositions, inference) into points
High-frequency vocabSpeeds up reading and unlocks Part 5 and 6 answers on sight
Weakest part firstThe fastest points are in the section you currently avoid

For a full, step-by-step plan, read our guide on how to reach a TOEIC 800 (it covers the 785 to 800 range in detail). This page is about what a 700 means; that guide is about how to push past it.

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Keep exploring

A 700 is one point on the whole scale. To zoom out or dig into a specific goal:

What every TOEIC score meansThe full band-by-band guide, from 10 to 990, with a live checker. What score do you need?Targets by job, employer and university, for Japan and Korea. TOEIC to CEFRThe full concordance with CEFR levels and Eiken grades. Score converterTurn correct answers into an estimated 10 to 990 score.

Check your real score, free

The only way to know your true band is to take a timed mock in the current official format and see the instant estimate. Every test below is free:

Listening & Reading, Mock 1 Listening & Reading, Mock 2 Listening & Reading, Mock 3 Express mini reading, Test 1 Build TOEIC vocabulary Practise by question type
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Questions, answered

TOEIC 700, straight answers

The exact things people ask about a 700.

Is 700 a good TOEIC score?
Yes. 700 is a solid, competitive upper-intermediate score. It maps to CEFR B1 and ETS/IIBC level C, sits above the Japan national average (564) and just above the Korea average (682), and is a very common first corporate target. It clears the English screen for many mainstream jobs. The next milestone is 785 (B2), the level most employers and universities ask for.
What CEFR level is a TOEIC 700?
A TOEIC 700 is CEFR B1 (intermediate to upper-intermediate). Using ETS's own concordance, B1 covers 550 to 780, so 700 sits in the upper part of B1. It is not B2: B2 begins at 785. This is the single most common misconception about a 700. See the full TOEIC to CEFR chart.
Is a TOEIC 700 B1 or B2?
It is B1. ETS maps 550 to 780 to CEFR B1 and 785 to 940 to B2, so a 700 is upper B1 and falls 85 points short of the B2 threshold at 785. Many people assume 700 is already B2, but the cutoff is 785.
What ETS or IIBC proficiency level is 700?
700 is ETS/IIBC level C, which covers 470 to 725. ETS describes level C as being able to satisfy limited, familiar work and everyday demands. Level B starts at 730 and level A at 860. See the full A to E level guide.
Is a TOEIC 700 above average?
Yes. From ETS's 2025 worldwide report, the Japan average is 564 and the South Korea average is 682. A 700 is comfortably above the Japan average and just above the Korea average. Because ETS does not publish a percentile for the total score, comparing against your country's average is the honest way to see where a 700 stands.
Is a TOEIC 700 good enough to get a job?
For many roles, yes. Around 600 is a common screening floor and 700 clears it comfortably, so a 700 passes the English check for a large share of general and domestic-facing positions. For global-facing roles, trading companies in Japan, or the most competitive large employers, the bar is often 785 to 860 or higher, so a 700 is a strong first target rather than the finish line. Always check the specific requirement.
Is a TOEIC 700 good for university?
Often, yes. Many universities use TOEIC for graduation requirements, course credit, exemptions, or transfer (편입) screening, and a 700 meets or exceeds a large number of these general thresholds. Competitive programs and English-medium tracks can ask for 785 (B2) or more, so check the exact number for your target school on our university guide.
How hard is it to get a 700 on the TOEIC?
A 700 is a realistic target for a motivated intermediate learner. It is above the Japan average, so it takes consistent study of the current format, timed practice, and steady vocabulary work, but it does not require near-native English. Most people reach it before the harder 785 to 800 range, where Reading Part 7 time pressure becomes the main obstacle.
What is the difference between a TOEIC 700 and 800?
700 is upper CEFR B1 and ETS level C; 800 is CEFR B2 and level A/B. The practical difference is that 800 clears the common B2 hiring bar (785) and reads as hire-ready to global employers, while 700 clears general screening and is a strong stepping stone. Moving from 700 to 800 is mostly about Reading speed and accuracy under time.
How do I get from 700 to 785 or 800?
Take full-length timed mocks in the current format, review every wrong answer, and drill your weakest part first (Reading Part 7 is where most people lose points to the clock). Build high-frequency TOEIC vocabulary and practise Part 5 for speed. Our free mocks give an instant score estimate, and our how-to-reach-800 guide lays out a focused plan.
How long is a TOEIC 700 valid?
A TOEIC score is officially valid for two years, because language ability changes over time. If you scored 700 for a job application or promotion, keep an eye on the date and retake before it expires if the score is still needed. See score validity for details.
Is a 700 the same on TOEIC Speaking, Bridge or Link?
No. This page is about Listening & Reading (10 to 990), where 700 is upper B1. Speaking & Writing are each scored 0 to 200, TOEIC Link reports each skill 0 to 25, and TOEIC Bridge is 15 to 50 per section (30 to 100 total). A 700 only exists on the Listening & Reading scale, so the number is not interchangeable across tests.