Test Planning and Registration | The TOEFL® Test

Plan

Beginning your study-abroad journey is one of the most exciting times in your life. We can help you get organized and stay on track with these study-abroad resources.

To-Do ListRegistration at a GlanceTest-Day TipsVisa & Study Abroad Resources

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 account and REGISTER for the TOEFL test.

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 TOEFL online 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 10 days after your test, you will receive an email saying your scores are ready! Log in to your TOEFL online account to check them.

Approximately 13 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 12-day period. Find tips for improving your scores.

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

Download the To-Do List as a PDF

Sign up for TOEFL Journey® emails to receive helpful study abroad tips.

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 a profile? Log in and continue to step 3

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. 
    • Learn more about these payment options, which vary by location.
    • How much will it cost to take the TOEFL test? Find information on registration, fees, test dates and locations.
  • The names of up to four institutions you want to receive your scores.
  • Your preferred test dates and location.
  • Individuals in Mainland could refer to the TOEFL China website for how to register for the test.

Step 1: Select your location

If you’re testing in mainland China (not Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan), please register at http://www.toefl.cn/take-the-test-register.php

  1. Select your location to see available test dates and test centers 
  2. You will be able to choose “Find TOEFL iBT Test Centers / Register” or “Find TOEFL Test Centers / Register” depending on which test is available in your area.

Step 2: Create a profile 

Complete and review all four parts of your profile and click Confirm. This takes you to your Home Page where you will register.

This page allows you to:

  • Update your personal information
  • View, reschedule or cancel your registration 
  • View your scores 
  • Order additional score reports
  • Sign up for the TOEFL Search Service, so universities can find and contact you if you meet their requirements. 

Step 3: Register for the TOEFL test 

After you create a profile or log in:

  1. On My Home Page, under My Tests, select Register for a Test
  2. Under Select Product Type, click TOEFL Test, then Continue
  3. Complete the remaining steps as indicated on each screen

Do you prefer a visual step-by-step? Click here.

 

Things you should know

You can register online anytime, day or night. https://www.ets.org/toefl/centersearch

Regular registration deadline: Seven days before the test date (not including the day of the test). So, if your test date is October 13, you must register by October 6.

Late registration deadline: Three full days before the test date (not including the day of the test or the day of your request). So, if your test date is October 13, your last chance to register is October 10. You will be charged a US$40 late fee.

Rescheduling deadline: Three full days before the test date (not including the day of the test or the day of your request); 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. For more information on registration, fees, test dates and locations, visit the ETS website.

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. 

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.

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