Test Planning and Registration | The TOEFL® Test

Plan

Process, expenses, test registration and more. Start your journey here.

To-Do ListTest Day TipsVisa & Study Abroad ResourcesRegistration at a Glance

Plan

To-Do List

Getting You to Test Day

Decide to Study Abroad

Look into your list of schools. Do they accept the TOEFL test, and what are their score requirements for admission?

Be sure to find out what proof of English proficiency is required to get your student visa. Your destination country's immigration agency website should have the information you need.

Plan to take the TOEFL test 2 – 3 months before your earliest application deadline.

3 – 6 Months Before Test Day

Create an ETS Account and register for the TOEFL test online or by downloading the free TOEFL official app from the App Store and Google Play.

Sign up for the TOEFL Search Service.

8 Weeks Before the Test

Start preparing! The more you practice, the more confident you'll be on test day. Find help here.

48 Hours before the Test

Log in to your ETS Account and check your Registration Confirmation, just in case a change of time or location was made at your test center.

Be sure you have valid identification (ID) to bring with you. The ID you bring to the test center must match the name you used when you registered.

12 – 24 Hours Before THE Test

You have until 10 p.m. (local test center time) the night before the test to select, change or delete your score recipients (do so in your TOEFL iBT account). You may select up to four universities or programs for free.

Be sure you have valid identification (ID) to bring with you. The ID you bring to the test center must match the name you used when you registered.

Relax and get a good night's sleep!

Test Day

Have a good breakfast and get to the test center at least 30 minutes early. Make sure you bring your ID and your Registration Confirmation with you.

Consider bringing a snack to eat during the 10-minute break.

Check out more Test Day Tips.

Good luck!

AFTER TEST DAY

Approximately 6 days after your test, you will receive an email saying your official scores are ready! Log in to your ETS Account online or through the TOEFL official app to check them. Download the free app from the App Store or Google Play.

Within 8 days after your test, you will be able to download a PDF copy of your score report from your account. (Note: Downloadable score reports are currently not available for tests taken in China).

What do your scores mean? Find out more.

Once you have your scores:

You can order additional score reports to send to more institutions.

Want to try for a better score?

You can retake the test as many times as you wish—but not more than once in a 3-day period. Find tips for improving your scores.

Ready to register for a retake? Simply log in to your account.

Test Day Tips

The big day is here! Don’t worry, if you’ve prepared with us, you are ready to do
your best on the test. To help you feel even more confident heading to the test
center, here are a few important things you should know.

What to bring

You must bring an acceptable, valid form of identification (ID). The name on your ID must exactly match the name you provided at registration. To learn the specific identification requirements for your location, go here.

Also, be sure to re-check your Registration Confirmation the day before the test and bring it with you to the test center.

Checking in

Arrive at the test center 30 minutes early.
If you’re late, you won’t be able to take the test!

You will have to:

  • Show an ETS-approved form of identification that contains a photograph and signature. 

  • Provide handwriting and signature samples.

  • Have your photo taken. This will be displayed at your computer station and embedded into your paper score report.

For more details on what you can expect, including an inside look at a test center, click here.

Your testing station

  • You will be assigned a seat a few minutes before your start time. 

  • No mobile phones or other personal items are allowed in the testing room.

  • You can use the restroom at any time, just remember — the clock for your test does not stop.

For more details, watch our TOEFL iBT® Testing Site video for a preview of what to expect.

Visa & Study Abroad Resources

You’re about to embark on a life-changing experience, learning and
living in a country so different from your own. So you will surely have a lot of questions.
We’ve assembled some great resources to help you plan for your time abroad.

Obtaining a Visa

You can’t leave home without one. We’ll show you the steps you need to take to get your student visa and link you to sites that give you a more in-depth look at the process.

 

Learn More

Paying for School

You have dreams of studying away from home. Now the reality of how to pay for it sets in. We’ve found helpful websites to guide you on finding financial aid and scholarships.

 

Learn More

Planning & Living Abroad

We’ll connect you with sites that discuss the culture, what to expect your first year in a new country and how to feel more at home while living abroad.

 

Learn More

Registration at a Glance

The easiest way to register for the TOEFL® test is online.
For other ways to register, click here.

 

3 easy steps to register

Already have an account? Log in and continue to step 2

Before you begin

Make sure you have the following:

  • The identification (ID) you plan to bring with you on test day. 
    • The name you use when you register must exactly match the name on the ID you bring to the test center.
      See ID requirements.
  • A credit/debit card, electronic check, PayPal® account or TOEFL registration voucher. 
  • The names of up to four institutions you want to receive your scores.
  • Individuals in Mainland China should refer to the TOEFL China website for how to register for the test.

Step 1: Create an ETS Account

Watch How to Create an ETS Account for step-by-step guidance.

If you already have an ETS Account, log in online or by downloading the free TOEFL official app from the App Store or Google Play and go to step 2.

  1. Input all personal information as it appears on the form of ID you will use when you take the TOEFL test.
  2. Sign up for the TOEFL Search Service. (Learn more about the TOEFL Search Service).
  3. Create a username and password and review your information, then choose “Submit” to create your account.

Step 2: Select a Test Center and Date 

  1. From your TOEFL Home screen, choose “Register/Find Test Centers, Dates.”
  2. Enter your location and test date period and select “Find Test Centers And Dates.”
  3. Choose a test date and test center location and select "Show Test Times and Register." When you find the time you want, click or tap on “Register”.

Step 3: Complete your registration

For a visual walk-through of these steps, watch How to Register for a TOEFL iBT ® Test.

  1. Review Terms & Conditions in the Before You Register
    section and then choose "Next" to continue.
  2. Complete the remaining steps as indicated on each
    screen.
  1. Choose up to 4 free score recipients.
  2. Add official TOEFL prep materials to your cart.
  3. Review your shopping cart, then choose “Pay Now.”

Things you should know

You can register anytime, day or night online at https://www.ets.org/mytoefl, or by downloading the free TOEFL official app from the App Store or Google Play.

Regular registration deadline: 7 days before the test date (not including the day of the test). 

Late registration deadline: 2 days before the test date. You will be charged a US$40 late fee.

Rescheduling deadline: 2 days before the test; the fee is US$60.

How much does it cost to take the TOEFL test? The test fee depends on the location where you will be taking the test. The fee is shown after you select a test location and date.

Registration payment methods:

  • Credit/debit cards (American Express®, Discover®, JCB®, MasterCard® or Visa®)
  • Electronic check (e-check)
  • PayPal®
  • TOEFL voucher

NOTE: Please check the ETS website to see if there are any payment restrictions for your location.