All about the TOEFL® test: What you need to know

The TOEFL iBT sections:

The test is given in English, has 4 sections (reading, listening, speaking and writing), and takes about 4½ hours. Taking notes is allowed during the TOEFL iBT; your notes will be collected after the test.

To see sample questions or tasks for each section of the TOEFL test, click here.

Cost of the test:

The cost depends on the test location you choose. To give you an idea, the cost ranges from US$150 to US$225. For information on registration fees, locations, test dates and test formats, select your test location.

Where and when to take the TOEFL test:

The TOEFL test is offered in more locations around the world than any other English-language test, making it easier for you to find a convenient location.

The TOEFL iBT™ is given 30-40 times a year, at thousands of secure, Internet-based test sites around the globe.

The TOEFL Paper-based Test (or TOEFL PBT) is offered in areas where the TOEFL iBT is not available, and is given 6 times a year. You can register online or by mail.

Registering for the TOEFL test:

Registration is available 3-4 months before the test date, but register early to reserve your seat.

Registering online is the easiest method, giving you access to over 4,500 test sites in over 165 countries. For information on other ways to register, click here.

A few things to keep in mind when registering:

Have your identification on hand, because your name must be entered exactly as it appears on the identification you will bring with you on test day.
Have one of the following ready for payment: a credit/debit card, electronic check or TOEFL registration voucher – which you can purchase from a TOEFL iBT™ Test Resource Centre in local currency. Where can I find a TOEFL iBT Test Resource Centre?
Know the names of up to four institutions you want to receive your scores.
Know the test dates and locations where you want to test.

Rescheduling or canceling your registration:

If you need to reschedule or cancel your registration, you can do so up to three full days before your test date (not including the day of the test or the day of your request). That means if your test is on Saturday, you must reschedule or cancel by Tuesday.

To reschedule online or by phone, you must provide your registration number, and the full name you used to register. The fee to reschedule is US$60, and must be paid before you can reschedule.

If you cancel by the 3-day deadline, you’ll receive a refund equivalent to half of the original test fee.

TOEFL test score requirements:

Rest assured, there’s no passing or failing score. Score requirements are established by individual colleges and universities; check your selected schools to learn their required TOEFL test scores.

You will receive a score on each section (a score of 0-30), and a total score for the entire test (0-120). To earn a score on the TOEFL test, you must do all of the following:

Answer at least 1 question in the Reading section
Answer at least 1 question in the Listening section
Write at least 1 essay in the Writing section
Finish at least 1 task in the Speaking section

How the test is scored:

The TOEFL test is scored using both automated computer scoring and human raters (highly trained professionals) to ensure unbiased and accurate results for all four TOEFL test sections.

And only the TOEFL test uses a network of multiple, rigorously-trained human raters to score the test anonymously, using a quality-control process that meets the highest standards of fairness and objectivity. No other English-language test uses these methods, which can prevent inconsistencies in scoring.

Why is this an advantage for you? It means your score is an accurate, comprehensive and trusted assessment of your English skills — for you and the universities considering you for admission.

Getting your scores:

Your scores will be posted online, usually within 2 weeks after the test date. They are also mailed to you and the universities or institutions you selected.

Included with your registration fees are:

1 print and 1 online score report for you
Up to 4 official score reports that ETS will send directly to the universities, institutions or agencies you select when you register; you can decide where to send them up to the day before you take the test

You can send additional score reports to as many institutions as you choose, for a small fee.

How long scores are valid:

ETS will report scores for 2 years after your test date.

Best ways to prepare and practice for the TOEFL test:

You’ll take the TOEFL iBT™ on a standard English-language (QWERTY) computer keyboard. If you haven’t used this kind of keyboard before, make sure you practice on one before you arrive on test day.

English-language QWERTY Keyboard

And practice is important in other ways. ETS, creator of the TOEFL test, offers a variety of preparation and practice materials — from books to CD-ROMs to interactive programs and free sample questions — to make it easier for you to do your best on the TOEFL test.

To see what it’s like to take the TOEFL iBT, ETS created TOEFL^® Practice Online — the only official practice test that gives you the experience of taking the real test.
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