IMPORTANT: USC does not set minimum scores for admission purposes. The scores listed below are used for placement purposes only to determine if an admitted student will need to take the International Student English (ISE) Examination upon arrival at USC. TOEFL: No lower than a total score of 100 on the Internet-based test, with no less than 20 on each of the four test components. IELTS: Score of 7, with no less than 6.5 on each band score.