TOEFL Dates

If you want to take the TOEFL IBT, there's no shortage of dates to choose from. It's offered 60 times a year at thousands of locations around the world if you're taking it at an authorized test center. For the Home Edition, it is available 24 hours a day, several days a week. The paper portion of the PBT (the current TOEFL IBT Paper Edition) is only offered twice a month. Meanwhile, the Speaking section for the PBT has to be done on a computer within 3 days of doing the paper portion.

To find a location, the next available test dates and the fees, go to this ETS page.

You need to have 1 (or more) dates and location(s) picked out before you can register. You should pick a few alternate dates incase your first choice has already filled up. The sooner you register, the more likely you'll get your first choice. You can register several months before the test date.

Picking an ideal date relies on several factors. You being prepared to take the TOEFL test is one. You definitely need to allow for possibility you will need to take the test again. The deadline for submission to the university/college you want to attend is another key factor. As well, how long it will take your score to reach the university/college has to be considered. It will arrive at the institution much faster if it's done electronically (under a couple weeks after the score has been determined if you're lucky) versus the score report needing to be sent in the mail. It could take well over a month to arrive by mail. You should aim to get your TOEFL test done a 2-3 months before any date deadline.

Even though there's lots of test dates, don't wait too long before registering. This is especially true if you need to register by mail. If you decide to mail in the form, ETS must receive it and your payment 4 weeks before the earliest test date you choose. So if you can, do online registration. This is the quickest method and is available all the time. You can also register by phone. Make sure you have your a method of payment on hand. Credit card payment is the most common method, but not the only one allowed, used to pay your fee(s) when you register.

ETS stops registration 7 days before a test date. They do allow late registration up to 2 days beforehand online, but it will cost you extra. If you need to reschedule your test date you can, but it will cost extra. You also have to contact ETS at least 4 days before your test date. The 4 day limit applies as well if you won't be able to take the test. Try not to cancel because you only get half of the registration fee back (and only if you inform them on time).

When you have registered successfully, you will get a confirmation email. Login to your ETS account to check if the date or location of your test gets changed. You also access your ETS account to see your score.

Likely the most important date for you is when you will get your score. If you took the IBT test, you will be able to see your score online as soon as 4 days (but it can take longer) after your test date. If you took the PBT (the current TOEFL IBT Paper Edition) test, your score report is sent online in 11-13 business days.

TOEFL | Dates

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