This overview includes information to help you prepare for the TOEFL iBT® test. You’ll find details about the current test format, testing options, scoring, registration, fees, and study resources.
Test TypeAcademic English-language proficiency test | Main SkillsReading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking |
Testing OptionsTest center or Home Edition | Current Score Scale1 to 6, in half-point increments |
Exam Background and Purpose
The TOEFL iBT® test measures English-language skills used in academic settings. Colleges, universities, scholarship programs, licensing organizations, and other institutions may use TOEFL scores to evaluate whether applicants are prepared to communicate in English.
The test measures four major communication skills: reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Each section is designed to reflect the type of English a student may need to use in higher education.
Important update: TOEFL iBT testing changed in January 2026. Older descriptions that mention the previous 0–120-only score scale, older timing, or paper-based testing should be checked against the current ETS information.
Test Overview
The TOEFL iBT test is made up of four sections. The updated version uses adaptive testing, so the exact number of items and time may vary. Students should allow about two hours for the testing appointment, not including check-in and other administrative steps.
Testing Options
The TOEFL iBT test is offered at authorized test centers and through the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. The Home Edition is taken on a computer at home and monitored by a live human proctor.
The TOEFL iBT Paper Edition is no longer offered for new test appointments. If you are preparing now, focus on the current TOEFL iBT format and follow the instructions in your ETS account.
How Is the TOEFL Scored?
For current TOEFL iBT testing, score reports use a 1 to 6 scale in half-point increments. Test takers receive section scores and an overall score. The overall score is based on the four section scores and rounded to the nearest half band.
During the transition to the newer score scale, TOEFL score reports may also include a comparable 0 to 120 score. Because institutions may update their admission requirements at different times, always check the requirements for each school or program where you plan to apply.
Score Report Basics
- There is no single passing TOEFL score set by ETS.
- Each institution sets its own score requirement.
- Official scores are posted in your ETS account after testing.
- TOEFL iBT scores are valid for two years.
- Reading and Listening scores cannot be reviewed or appealed.
- Speaking and Writing score reviews may be available for a fee, subject to ETS rules.
How Much Does the TOEFL Cost?
The TOEFL iBT registration fee depends on your testing location. ETS lists the current registration fee after you select your country or testing location. Other service fees may apply for express registration, rescheduling, additional score reports, score review, or reinstating canceled scores.
How to Register for the TOEFL
You can register for the TOEFL iBT test through your ETS account. When registering, make sure your name and date of birth match the identification document you will use on test day. If your registration information does not match your ID, you may not be allowed to test.
Before scheduling, check the score requirements and score-reporting deadlines for every school, agency, or program where you plan to send TOEFL scores.
How to Prepare for the TOEFL
Strong TOEFL preparation should include more than memorizing vocabulary. You need to practice reading, listening, writing, and speaking in the kinds of academic situations the test measures.
TOEFL Study Checklist
- Read academic passages and summarize the main idea.
- Practice identifying details, inferences, and relationships between ideas.
- Listen to lectures, conversations, and announcements in English.
- Practice writing clear responses with organized support.
- Record yourself answering speaking prompts and check your clarity, pacing, and pronunciation.
- Review grammar and sentence structure so your writing is easier to understand.
- Practice under timed conditions so the pace of the test feels familiar.
TOEFL Study Resources
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Last Updated: July 2026