What TOEIC score do you need for HEC?

HEC Paris does not accept TOEIC Listening & Reading on its own. You need the TOEIC 4 Skills, a TOEFL iBT or an IELTS, which also assess speaking and writing. Admitted candidates typically show an excellent level, equivalent to 945+ on the TOEIC (CEFR C1).

What is the minimum TOEIC score for a business school?

The most common floor is 850 for the Top 5 and the upper Top 10. Some schools (SKEMA, Audencia) set no official minimum, but a score below 800 still hurts. To be eligible at the least selective schools, aim for at least 785 (CEFR B2).

Is the TOEIC required for the AST track?

Every school requires an English test, and the TOEIC is the most common and most widely accepted. A few joint-admission tracks accept an internal English test instead, but the TOEIC remains the safest, most recognized option for an AST application.

Is there a failing score on the TOEIC?

ETS sets no minimum: the TOEIC is a proficiency test, not a pass/fail exam. However, each school sets its own threshold, and a score below it is disqualifying for your application, regardless of the rest of your file.

How long is my TOEIC score valid?

Officially 2 years from the test date. Plan your sitting so the score is still valid when you submit your AST application (often in March or April).

TOEIC or TOEFL for the AST track?

The TOEIC for nearly all candidates targeting schools in France: cheaper, fundable via CPF in the 4 Skills version, and recognized everywhere. The TOEFL if you target a double degree abroad, a bilingual program that requires it, or if you apply to HEC (which does not accept TOEIC L&R alone).

TOEIC Score for French Business Schools (AST Track) 2026

Key takeaways

Top 5 (HEC, ESSEC, ESCP): aim for 945+ (CEFR C1). Admitted averages often sit around 945 to 955.
Top 10 (EDHEC, emlyon, SKEMA, Audencia, NEOMA, GEM, KEDGE): 850 minimum, and rather 900+ to be safe.
A school's posted minimum is an eligibility threshold, not a target: admitted averages are often 80 to 110 points higher.
HEC does not accept TOEIC Listening & Reading alone: you need the TOEIC 4 Skills or a TOEFL/IELTS.
The English test counts for roughly 15 to 30% of admissibility, and a score below the minimum is disqualifying.
The TOEIC is enough for about 95% of AST candidates: cheaper, CPF-fundable (4 Skills version), accepted by every track.

The TOEIC in the AST track: what it is for and how much it counts

The AST track (admission sur titre), also called parallel admission, lets you join a top French business school after a 2-year (AST1) or 3-to-4-year (AST2) degree, without going through prépa. Your application rests on four pillars: your academic record, an aptitude test (TAGE MAGE or TAGE 2), an English test, and an interview.

The English test, usually the TOEIC, accounts for roughly 15 to 30% of the admissibility phase depending on the school. More importantly, many schools set a disqualifying minimum: below it, your application is rejected regardless of how strong the rest is. Your TOEIC score is valid for 2 years, so time it to still be valid when you apply.

What TOEIC score to aim for, school by school (full grid)

Here is a consolidated grid of TOEIC scores for the main schools recruiting via AST. Do not confuse the two columns: the minimum score required by the règlement (an eligibility threshold) and the observed admitted average (the real target).

School	Minimum score	Admitted average*
HEC Paris	4 Skills or TOEFL/IELTS	≈ 945+
ESSEC	850	≈ 945-955
ESCP	850	≈ 950
EDHEC	850 (815 foreign curriculum)	≈ 940
emlyon	850	≈ 930
SKEMA	No official minimum	≈ 895
Audencia	No official minimum	≈ 905
Grenoble EM (GEM)	850	≈ 900
NEOMA	850	≈ 890
KEDGE	850	≈ 890
TBS Education	720	≈ 900

* Observed averages (sources: schools and prep organizations), indicative only. Minimum scores are set by each school's règlement and can change every year. Always check the official rules for your session.

Posted minimum vs real admitted score: the trap to avoid

The classic mistake is to aim for the minimum. At ESSEC, for instance, the règlement posts 850, but admitted averages sit around 945 to 955, a gap of more than 100 points. The minimum makes you eligible; it does not make you competitive. Set your goal on the admitted average of your target school, not the floor: 945+ for the Top 5, 900 to 940 for the upper Top 10 (EDHEC, emlyon), 850 to 900 for the rest of the Top 10.

The HEC case (and schools that require all four skills)

HEC Paris does not accept TOEIC Listening & Reading alone. For this school you need the TOEIC 4 Skills (with Speaking & Writing), a TOEFL iBT or an IELTS, which also assess production. Most other schools (ESSEC, ESCP, EDHEC, emlyon, SKEMA, Audencia, NEOMA, KEDGE, Grenoble EM) accept the standard TOEIC L&R. Check this early: if HEC is on your list, pick an accepted test from the start so you do not have to retake one.

What CEFR level your score maps to

Schools often think in CEFR levels. Here is the mapping for your total score (out of 990).

CEFR level	Total score
C1	945 - 990
B2	785 - 940
B1	550 - 780
A2	225 - 545
A1	120 - 220

To go further, see our guides on TOEIC score levels and CEFR bands and on TOEIC to CEFR equivalence. If you just finished a practice test and want to convert your number of correct answers, use our TOEIC score conversion table.

TOEIC or TOEFL for your AST application?

For nearly all AST candidates (about 95%), the TOEIC is enough: it is cheaper (around 189 € for L&R, 216 € for 4 Skills, versus about 245 € for the TOEFL), fundable via the CPF in its 4 Skills version, and accepted by every track. The TOEFL becomes relevant in three cases: you target a double degree at an English-speaking university, you apply to a bilingual program that requires it, or you already hold a valid TOEFL result (under 2 years). And of course for HEC. Simple rule: one well-prepared test beats two rushed ones.

How to reach your target score

Once your target is set, the method comes down to four habits:

Start with a practice test to gauge your real level.
Work first on your weakest section (often Reading, where time runs short on Part 7).
Practice under timed conditions: there is no penalty for a wrong answer, so answer every question, even when unsure.
Fit your sitting into the AST calendar: register at least a month ahead and take the test before the application deadline (often March or April), keeping a buffer for a possible retake.

To structure your revision, follow our guide on how to prepare for the TOEIC and practice with our free TOEIC exercises.

Frequently Asked Questions

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