Study in the United States
The United States hosts some of the most prestigious and competitive universities in the world. From strong public institutions to highly selective private schools, American higher education offers global recognition, academic excellence, and diverse career opportunities.
To join any U.S. university as an international student, you must demonstrate strong English proficiency. This is typically done through the TOEFL, which evaluates your ability to study and communicate in an academic English environment.
For admission to highly competitive universities, especially top-tier institutions such as the Ivy League schools, standardized academic testing plays a crucial role. The SAT is used to assess mathematical reasoning and evidence-based reading and writing skills at a college-ready level.
Strong TOEFL scores demonstrate your ability to study, communicate, and perform in an English-speaking academic environment, while strong SAT scores reflect your readiness to meet rigorous university-level standards in mathematics and evidence-based reading and writing. For students aiming at the most competitive U.S. institutions, excellence in both is often essential to present a strong and credible application.
Focus on the TOEFL
For international students, the TOEFL is often the first essential step toward studying in the United States. Before universities assess academic strength, they must be confident that a student can function fully in an English-speaking academic environment.
The TOEFL measures four core skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing, all within a university context. It does not test casual English. It evaluates your ability to understand lectures, analyze academic texts, express structured arguments, and communicate ideas clearly under time constraints.
A strong TOEFL score reassures admissions committees that you can follow complex coursework, participate in discussions, and produce written assignments at a university level.
How the TOEFL Is Structured
The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) evaluates academic English proficiency through four sections, each designed to reflect real university tasks.
1. Reading
You read academic passages similar to university textbooks and answer questions that assess comprehension, vocabulary in context, inference, and critical analysis.
2. Listening
You listen to university-style lectures and campus conversations, then respond to questions that measure your ability to understand main ideas, details, tone, and purpose.
3. Speaking
You respond to structured tasks that require you to express and organize ideas clearly. Some tasks are independent (your opinion), while others integrate reading and listening materials before speaking.
4. Writing
You complete two academic writing tasks. One requires integrating reading and listening content into a structured response. The other asks you to present and support your opinion with clear reasoning.
Each section is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, for a total possible score of 120.
The TOEFL is not only a language test. It measures how effectively you can perform academically in English under time constraints.
What TOEFL Score Is Considered Competitive?
The total score on the TOEFL ranges from 0 to 120. Most U.S. universities set a minimum required score, but there is an important difference between meeting the minimum and being competitive.
- Many universities require 80–90 as a baseline.
- Strong universities often expect 95–100+.
- Highly competitive institutions may look for 105–110 or higher, especially in selective programs.
A minimum TOEFL score allows your application to be considered, but a strong score enhances the overall strength of your academic profile. In competitive admissions, the objective is not merely to meet the requirement, but to achieve a result that reinforces the credibility of your application and demonstrates clear readiness for university-level study in English.
The MarcoPolo TOEFL Preparation Approach
Strategic Tutoring & Intensive Training
Preparing for the TOEFL requires more than improving general English. It demands a precise understanding of the test format, scoring criteria, and time management strategies.
At MarcoPolo Academy, preparation is conducted exclusively through individualized tutoring to ensure focused, targeted progress.
The program includes an initial diagnostic test to identify strengths and performance gaps, followed by structured training in reading, listening, speaking, and writing according to official TOEFL standards. Students practice under timed conditions, receive detailed feedback, and refine their responses based on evaluation criteria.
A final full-length practice test measures progress and confirms readiness before the official exam.
Our objective is not simply preparation. It is performance aligned with the score required for your U.S. university goal.
TOEFL Preparation Formats
To adapt to different starting levels and target scores, we offer two structured preparation formats:
- 18 hours of focused preparation
- 36 hours of advanced preparation
The appropriate format is determined after an initial diagnostic assessment, based on the student’s current level and target score.
The 18-hour model is designed for students who already possess a solid English foundation and need targeted optimization of test strategies, timing, and scoring criteria.
The 36-hour model provides deeper reinforcement, allowing comprehensive work on academic vocabulary, structured speaking responses, integrated writing tasks, and performance under timed conditions.
Both formats include a full diagnostic test at the beginning and a final practice test to measure progress and confirm readiness before the official exam.
Who This Program Is For
This program is designed for students who are serious about studying in the United States and understand that a competitive TOEFL score is a strategic advantage. It is particularly suited for students who:
- Are preparing applications to U.S. universities
- Aim for a score of 95, 100, or higher
- Already have a good level of English but want structured preparation
- Want to improve their performance under timed conditions
- Seek personalized guidance rather than large group classes
This program is not general English instruction. It is performance-oriented preparation for students who want to maximize their academic opportunities.
When Does the Preparation Take Place?
The TOEFL preparation program is scheduled according to the student’s application timeline and test date. The training can be organized intensively over a short period or distributed across several weeks, depending on the target score and academic calendar.
The objective is to align the preparation with the university deadlines, ensuring that the student sits for the official exam with sufficient readiness and confidence.
While English proficiency is essential for international students, academic competitiveness requires an additional layer of preparation. U.S. universities evaluate not only whether a student can study in English, but also whether they can meet rigorous academic standards. This is where the SAT becomes a key component of a strong application.
The SAT: Academic Readiness for U.S. Universities
While the TOEFL demonstrates English proficiency, the SAT evaluates academic readiness for university-level study in the United States.
The SAT is a standardized test used by many American universities to assess a student’s ability to reason, analyze information, and solve problems at a college-ready level. It focuses primarily on:
- Mathematical reasoning
- Evidence-based reading
- Analytical thinking
For competitive universities, strong SAT scores can significantly strengthen an application, particularly when aiming for selective institutions. The SAT is not merely a knowledge test. It measures precision, logic, speed, and consistency under time constraints.