Table of Contents
TOEFL Exam: Key Highlights
Exam Name | TOEFL |
TOEFL full form | Test of English as a Foreign Language |
Official Website | |
Conducting body | ETS (Educational Testing Service) |
Widely popular as | English language proficiency test |
Generally accepted by | Universities in the USA and Canada |
Mode of exam | TOEFL iBT: Internet-basedtest, TOEFL Paper-based and TOEFL at Home test |
TOEFL iBT fee | US$185 US$190 |
Score Range | Reading: 0–30 Listening: 0–30 Speaking: 0–30 Writing: 0–30 |
TOEFL Helpline | 1-609-771-7100, 1-877-863-3546 |
Fax | 1-610-290-8972 |
What is TOEFL Exam ?
The full form of ‘TOEFL’ is – ‘Test of English as a Foreign Language’, and it is a test conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). That’s right, the same people that conduct the GRE every year.
The TOEFL exam is conducted in two versions: Internet-based test (iBT) and Paper-based test (PBT). The TOEFL iBT was introduced in 2005 and is considered an upgraded version of TOEFL CBT (Computer Based Test). Even though scoring on each section for both versions (iBT and PBT) is distinct, both versions have the same exam pattern. Of the two, 97% of students prefer to take the TOEFL iBT. Given the pandemic, most students have deemed it safer to take the TOEFL online in the interest of their safety. ETS has provided this option as well.
Difference between TOEFL PBT and TOEFL IBT:
| Classification | TOEFL PBT | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Full Form | Paper Based Test | Internet Based Test |
| Exam Duration | 4 hours | 3 hours |
| Venue | Locations where the iBT® is not available | Online |
| Frequency of conducting | 4 times a year | Over 50 times a year |
| Exam Fee | US$180 | $160 – $300 |
| Score range | 310 to 677 | 0-120 |
| Exam Pattern | Reading, Writing, Listening and Structure | Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking |
What is the importance of the TOEFL Exam?
These sorts of questions naturally arise when students are looking to study abroad, and get their certificates and scores of English Proficiency for the purpose of studying abroad. It is vital to establish your proficiency in the English language, so that the university is assured of your ability to keep up with the coursework and your level of interpersonal communication. Knowing the language well (or not knowing it) isn’t necessarily a benchmark of your intelligence or ability. However, it is a necessary step, as the countries we frequently turn to for studying abroad, are primarily English-speaking countries.
The USA leans a lot towards the TOEFL for the purposes above, and will serve as the aforementioned test of English Proficiency. TOEFL scores are needed by students in order to apply for colleges and universities in the USA and Canada.
Who can take the TOEFL Exam?
We know that a lot of universities ask for the TOEFL Score as a part of their admissions process, but where else are these scores used? Here’s a look:
- Students planning to pursue an academic course in an English-speaking country
- Working professionals applying for a visa to move abroad
- Students applying for scholarships and other certifications
- Those learning the English-language can also take the TOEFL Exam to measure their progress
- Certain jobs ask for a TOEFL Score when screening candidates
TOEFL Eligibility & Age Criteria:
TOEFL Eligibility: Students wanting to study abroad are required to appear for the TOEFL exam. There are a lot of students wandering about the TOEFL eligibility criteria. Candidates would be relieved to know that ETS – the conducting body of the TOEFL iBT has not specified any age criteria or education qualifications or prerequisites to appear for the TOEFL test.
How many times is the TOEFL iBT test conducted in a year?
The TOEFL online test is conducted over 50 times a year at authorized test centers. One can retake the exam any number of times. But you cannot attempt the exam within 12 days of the previous attempt. It is administered in over 165 countries every year and there are over 4500 authorised TOEFL test centers.
So it is a very frequently conducted exam.
TOEFL Registration Fees
Not from India? Don’t worry, TOEFL is held in all major countries across the globe. Check out the TOEFL Exam Fee for your country, below:
Country | TOEFL Fees |
|---|---|
USA | $235 |
Australia | $273 |
India | $190 |
Germany | $265 |
South Korea | $220 |
TOEFL Special Handling Requests Fees
Special Requests | Charges |
|---|---|
TOEFL Registration Fee | $190 |
TOEFL Late Registration Fee | $40 |
TOEFL Rescheduling Fees | $60 |
Reinstatement of cancelled TOEFL scores | $20 |
Additional TOEFL score reports (per institution or agency) | $20 each |
Speaking or Writing Section score review | $80 |
Speaking and Writing Section score review | $160 |
What is the TOEFL score validity?
Unlike the GRE which is conducted by the very same ETS, TOEFL scores are not valid for 5 years. Your TOEFL score is valid for 2 years from the test date. So whenever you’ve taken the exam, your scores are valid for up-to two years from that date.
For example:
If you have taken the TOEFL test on June 20th 2019, your TOEFL score is valid until June 20th 2021. Remember you can only apply to universities within this time.
The reason behind this short TOEFL score validity is for universities to be able to be sure that you have the ability to thrive in an English-speaking country at the time of application.
A TOEFL exam score older than 2 years, no matter how good, is sadly not valid. You will need to re-take the test.
In fact, after two years, you wont be able access your score. So plan in advance and choose an appropriate TOEFL exam date so as to be able to use the TOEFL exam score as desired.
Where are TOEFL iBT scores accepted?
TOEFL iBT® scores are accepted by more than 11,500+ universities and higher education institutes in over 160 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.S., the U.K., Ireland and all across Europe and Asia. You can use the TOEFL iBT Destination Search to confirm that the universities you’re interested in accept TOEFL iBT scores, and to see what their score requirements are.
Preferred in the U.S.
9 out of 10 universities in the U.S. prefer the TOEFL iBT test over other English-language tests.[1] Additionally, U.S. universities receive more TOEFL iBT scores than all other English-language tests combined.[2]
More popular in Canada
More than 80% of graduate programs in Canada prefer the TOEFL iBT test over other English-language tests.[3] Canadian universities receive more TOEFL iBT scores than all other English-language tests combined.[4]
100% accepted in Australia and New Zealand
TOEFL iBT scores are accepted by all Australian and New Zealand universities, as well as for all Australian and New Zealand immigration services.
More popular in France and Germany
French and German universities prefer the TOEFL iBT and receive more TOEFL iBT scores than any other English-language test.[5]
Widely accepted in the U.K.
100% of universities in the U.K. accept TOEFL iBT scores, including the elite Russell Group universities, providing a fair and unbiased alternative.
TOEFL Test Centres In India
TOEFL exam centres in India: In India, TOEFL iBT is conducted in 39 cities: Ahmedabad, Allahabad, Amritsar, Bengaluru, Bhopal, Bhubaneswar, Chandigarh, Chennai, Coimbatore, Dehradun, Delhi, East Godavari District, Gurgaon, Gwalior, Hyderabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Kochi, Kolkata, Ludhiana, Madurai, Mumbai, Mussoorie, Nagpur, Nashik, Nizamabad, Patna, Pondicherry, Pune, Raipur, Surat, Thiruvananthapuram, Thrissur, Tirupati, Trichy, Vadodara, Vijayawada, Visakhapatnam, and Warangal. NOTE: Candidates should always check the availability of their exam date and time at the nearest centre and then book it accordingly. Want to know about the TOEFL centres near you? Visit the official website to check out all designated TOEFL centres near you or opt for the TOEFL Home Edition of the test.
TOEFL Exam Dates
TOEFL Exam Dates 2022: Your target date for taking the TOEFL iBT exam should be at least a month before your first application deadline. This will give you plenty of time to work on your applications, and in case you need to retake the exam you can do so after three days of the first attempt. So if the deadline for your application is November, you should take the exam by October. If you feel the need to retake TOEFL, you can take it in the latter half of October again. You can retake the TOEFL three days post your first attempt. Candidates can check the TOEFL dates on our website
Follow the steps to find the available TOEFL dates and test center without logging into your TOEFL account.
- Click on the ETS website that takes you to “TOEFL iBT® Test Centers and Dates” page.
- Click on the link “see a list of testing locations, dates and fees”.
- Enter the location where you want to give the TOEFL exam and find the test dates within 2-months period.
- You will see a new screen with dates in the selected duaration.
- Select the required TOEFL date and click on “Show test times and Register”.
- You can register directly from here by creating a profile and filling the required information.
TOEFL fact – More than 35 million test takers have taken this exam since it was launched.
Also, remember:
You have to pay the cost of the TOEFL Exam every time you attempt the test, and since it is a 4-hour exam, It can be draining both mentally and financially, so make your decision accordingly.
How is the TOEFL iBT test structured?
Here’s a useful table from Galvanise Test Prep that decodes the TOEFL Pattern concisely.
Section | Question Types | Time Limit | No. of Questions | Score Range |
Reading | 3-4 passages from academic texts (about 700 words); 12 – 14 questions per passage | 60 to 80 minutes | 36 – 56 questions | 0 – 30 |
Listening | 4 – 6 lectures, 6 questions each; 2 – 3 conversations, 5 questions each | 60 to 90 minutes | 34 – 51 questions | 0 – 30 |
Short Break |
| 10 minutes | ||
Speaking | 2 tasks to express an opinion; 4 tasks for speaking after reading/listening to passages | 20 minutes | 6 tasks | 0 – 30 |
Writing | 1 integrated task (writing based on reading and listening); 1 independent task (support an opinion or topic) | 50 minutes | 2 tasks | 0 – 30 |
How is the TOEFL iBT test scored?
Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) is scored from 0 to 30, with a total score of 0 to 120 for the entire test. You can view your unofficial Reading and Listening scores at the end of the test.
Your official scores will be available to you approximately 6 days after taking the test and will be valid for 2 years.
Your score report also automatically includes MyBest scores, which are the combination of the highest scores for each section, from all of your valid tests in the past two years.
If you receive a score that doesn’t meet the requirements of your school or college of choice, or you just want to get a better score, you can take the test as many times as you like — there are unlimited retakes. There is a required waiting period of 3 days between tests.
Additionally, as part of your test registration, you have the option to select up to 4 institutions that will automatically be sent your TOEFL iBT test scores. This is particularly useful in situations where the test has been taken close to university application deadlines — it can help speed up the process.
Please note: TOEFL iBT score requirements are set by the individual schools or college, so always make sure to check the school’s or college website!
How to send your TOEFL scores?
You can choose to send your TOEFL scores to 4 institutions before taking the test i.e., while registering for the test. The exam fee that you will be required to pay during registration is inclusive of these 4 TOEFL destinations.
Additionally, you can also send your TOEFL scores to more than the aforementioned 4 destinations at any time, with a fee of US$20 per report per destination. After approximately 13 days, your score reports will be sent to the destinations you have chosen.
TOEFL Home Edition
TOEFL iBT® Home Edition testing is available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week, with appointments available as early as 24 hours after you register. It’s available worldwide, except Iran.
To be able to take the test at home, you must meet the Equipment and Environment Requirements.
You’ll need an ETS account to see available appointments.
TOEFL Scholarships
TOEFL exam scholarship: One of the biggest drawbacks of studying abroad is having to pay tuition fees in foreign currency clubbed with high living expenses. Due to such reasons, a lot of times, many sections of students are unavailable to go abroad and end up settling down for other alternatives. However, with the availability of various scholarships and education loans, students can finally make their dreams come true.
Scholarships are available on the official website of every college, along with other fellowships and grants that are awarded to deserving students on a regular basis. Students can also opt for education loans from financial institutions for studying abroad. Kindly Note: There are currently no scholarships offered by ETS and the TOEFL programme.
Important Links
FAQs (Frequently Aske Questions)
What is the full form of TOEFL?
- Test of English as a Foreign Language
What is the eligibility criteria for taking TOEFL?
- Anyone with a passport (Identity Proof) can take it. No limitations or eligibility factors
How many times is TOEFL conducted in a year? And how often can I take it?
- It’s conducted over 50 times a year and you can retake them with a 12 day gap
How much does TOEFL cost?
- Anywhere between $150-$300 depending on the country
What is the TOEFL exam score validity?
- Your TOEFL score is valid for 2 years
Which is the best online TOEFL exam practice test?
TOEFL practice tests are very important in being able to analyze our strengths and weaknesses and plan and strategize better for the TOEFL exam. Here’s the best TOEFL practice test available online!
How do I check my TOEFL score?
- You’ll generally receive an email about it 10 days after the date of the exam.
What is the TOEFL test format?
TOEFL has 4 sections : Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking
