TOEFL Frequently Asked Questions
Am I required to take the TOEFL?
- If your native language is not indicated as English in your online CAAPID application, then you are required to submit an official, valid TOEFL score directly to CAAPID.
I am an international student but I have lived in the U.S. for a while. Do I still need to submit TOEFL?
- Yes.
- The only exception is if you indicated your native language as English in your online CAAPID portal.
Am I exempt from taking the TOEFL when I have earned a degree from a U.S. college/university that did not require me to take a TOEFL since my English is good/proficient?
- No.
- The only exception is if you indicated your native language as English in the online CAAPID application.
How old can my TOEFL scores be for admission consideration?
- Applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the TOEFL with a score at or above minimum of 79 (internet based) or better obtained within two years of the start of the program (May 2024 for 2026 admission).
- TOEFL score reports dated from January 1 – April 30, 2024 will be considered for review by the Admissions Committee.
- If selected to bench test and interview, candidates with January 1 – April 30, 2024 scores will be asked to submit an updated TOEFL prior to our interview day to meet our admissions requirements and submission timeframe (two years from the start of the program).
- IDP interview dates have no bearing on TOEFL score timeframes. We adhere to program start date to determine TOEFL score timeframes.
- Other dental schools have different TOEFL policies. Please be sure to consult with each specific school you apply to for their individual TOEFL policy.
What if I have taken the TOEFL examination, but the school will not receive the results until after the application deadline?
- The official, valid TOEFL score must be seen in your CAAPID portal by our June 15, 2025 admissions deadline.
- If an applicant submits a secondary official TOEFL score after June 15, 2025, it may or may not be considered depending on where the IDP Admissions Committee is in the cycle.
Is there a minimum TOEFL requirement required for admission consideration?
- A: Yes. the minimum University at Buffalo TOEFL score is 79.
- However, a score of 90 or better is considered competitive by the Admissions Committee.
Can I apply to CAAPID now and submit the TOEFL later?
- Yes.
- You can apply first, but the official, valid TOEFL score must be seen in the CAAPID portal by our June 15, 2025 admissions deadline.
- No exceptions are granted.
Can my application be reviewed by the Admissions Committee without a TOEFL score?
- No.
- Your application will be considered incomplete without an official, valid TOEFL score.
- The only exception for not submitting a TOEFL score is if your native language is indicated as English in the CAAPID portal.
How do I submit official TOEFL Scores?
- Applicants must submit official TOEFL score reports directly to ADEA CAAPID.
- Official score reports are accepted directly from ETS only and must be provided electronically.
- To have your official TOEFL scores sent directly to ADEA CAAPID, please request scores to be sent to the score code for institution B451: American Dental Education Association’s ADEA CAAPID.
What is the Institution Code to send my official TOEFL score to CAAPID?
- The CAAPID institution code is: B451.
- Please don't enter the University at Buffalo's institution code.
- Your official TOEFL scores must be reported directly to CAAPID.
Does your school accept the IELTS exam instead of TOEFL?
- No.
- Our school does not accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam for admission consideration.
- You must submit official TOEFL scores within our application timeframe to be considered to our program.
Will you accept my TOEFL Best Scores to meet your minimum admissions requirement?
- No.
- In order to be considered, your last set of official TOEFL scores must meet our minimum requirements.
- You cannot combine scores from two different TOEFL exams to meet our minimum admission requirements.
Do you accept the Home Based Internet Based TOEFL (IBT) for admission consideration?
- Yes.
- For those students taking the Home Based iBT, only official home scores will be accepted.
- Please make arrangements to have scores submitted directly to CAAPID.
- Do not submit TOEFL scores to the University at Buffalo.
Where can I find more information about the TOEFL?
