Last Updated on October 1, 2026
Quick answer: The TOEFL test is an English proficiency exam from ETS that measures reading, listening, writing, and speaking. It takes about two hours, can be taken at a test center or at home, and is recognized by more than 13,500 institutions. Many English-speaking colleges require it from applicants whose primary language is not English.
What Is the TOEFL Test?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test that evaluates students’ English Language skills. It is trademarked by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a non-profit organization that created the TOEFL test, and also distributes and scores the exam. More than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries recognize the TOEFL test and use it to assess the English language skills of international and foreign students who plan to enroll.
The TOEFL measures four major academic English skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. The test takes about two hours to complete, and the sections appear in this order: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. [1]
The test is designed to evaluate students on practical skills used in the classroom, such as writing and listening. As such, your scores give colleges a practical picture of how ready you are for coursework in an English-speaking classroom.
How the TOEFL Test Is Scored
The updated TOEFL iBT reports a score from 1 to 6 for each section. Your overall score is the average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band. For a two-year transition period after the update, you also receive a comparable overall score on the familiar 0 to 120 scale. [1]
The test also adapts as you work through it, so your total testing time and the number of questions you see may vary slightly. [1] Knowing this ahead of time can help you stay calm if a section feels shorter or longer than you expected.
Why Is the TOEFL Test Important?
Many English-speaking universities require the TOEFL test, or another accepted English proficiency test, from applicants whose primary language is not English. This applies to any student regardless of nationality, citizenship, or location.
As a widely recognized test, the TOEFL is accepted by schools and institutions worldwide. Not only is the TOEFL required for many college applications, but it is also a good metric for students to test their English-speaking skills and see which areas they need to improve.
Over 40 million students have taken TOEFL, granting them opportunities in thousands of schools in North America, Europe, and Asia, including the Ivy League schools and other top-ranking United States universities.
What TOEFL Score Do Colleges Require?
Each college sets its own English proficiency expectations, and many publish a minimum or recommended TOEFL score on their international applicant pages. Because the updated test reports band scores alongside a comparable 0 to 120 score, check which scale each school uses when you compare your results to its requirements.
Many schools also accept other English proficiency tests. Caltech, for example, asks applicants whose native language is not English to submit Duolingo English Test, IELTS, or TOEFL scores. [9] If you are building a list of highly selective schools, our guide for MIT international students explains what international applicants should expect, and our comparison of US and UK universities can help you decide where to apply.
When and Where Is TOEFL Taken?
TOEFL can be taken in a testing center or remotely through the “At Home” version. To find the dates and testing centers, applicants can use the portal on the ETS website to learn about the TOEFL iBT, where to study, and how to schedule their test date and location. [2]
For the standard TOEFL iBT, students can search their zip code and choose a date range to take the test. However, test results can take time to process, so the ETS recommends that students choose a test date that is at least 2 – 3 months ahead of their earliest college admissions deadline. Scores appear in your ETS account about three days after your test, and delivery to colleges depends on how each school receives them, so schedule early to meet every deadline. [5]
Students who wish to take the TOEFL iBT Home Edition need to meet the ETS’s Equipment and Environmental Requirements. [3] If students do not meet these requirements, then they must take the standard version of the test. Otherwise, they will have to take the standard version and schedule a time and location at a test center. The Home Edition is available 24 hours a day, four days a week.
Test Center or Home Edition: Which Is Right for You?
Both options lead to official TOEFL iBT scores, so the right choice depends on where you will perform best. A test center handles the equipment and setting for you, which many students find reassuring. The Home Edition offers more flexibility, since at-home testing runs 24 hours a day, four days a week. [2]
Testing at home comes with specific rules. You need a desktop or laptop computer rather than a tablet, a webcam that can show the whole room, and a microphone and speaker that are not part of a headset, since headsets and earphones are not allowed. You must also be alone in the room for the entire test, with your face and ears visible and your computer on a desk or table. [3] If you cannot guarantee a quiet, private space, a test center is usually the safer choice.
How to Register and Send Your Scores
To register, create an ETS account, review the TOEFL iBT Information Bulletin, and schedule your test online. [4]
Before test day, confirm that your identification matches your registration exactly and that you understand the policies for your testing format.
Registering early gives you more choice of dates and locations. It also leaves time to retest if your first score falls short of your goal. Plan ahead and make sure there are no conflicts with your testing date.
Once students have completed their tests and received their results, their test scores remain valid for two years and can be used in their college applications throughout that period. [5]
To aid in the development of students worldwide, InGenius Prep is excited to announce our partnership with TOEFL iBT. In collaboration with ETS, a global leader in education, InGenius Prep is bringing our industry-leading expertise in college admissions to students across the globe. Secure your date for the TOEFL iBT or click the banner below to register for the exam on the ETS website. [6]
Who Should Take the TOEFL Test?
Many English-speaking colleges, especially in the US, UK, and other countries, ask applicants whose primary language is not English for TOEFL scores. Regardless of nationality, citizenship, or location, relevant institutions will require the exam as part of a student’s application and often before the final application deadline.
Some universities, such as Stanford, offer exemptions or waivers for the TOEFL for foreign language students. [7] However, these exceptions often involve verifying one’s English-speaking proficiency by another method, such as having earned a Bachelor’s degree from a relevant institution. This flowchart by Stanford illustrates which students need to take the exam and which may be exempt.
Policies may differ between universities. Check with the school you are applying to to verify their application requirements.
If English is not your primary language, or you studied at a school where English is not the language of instruction, expect many English-speaking schools to ask for the TOEFL test or a similar exam.
How to Pass the TOEFL Test
Scoring well is the first step in academic success in thousands of institutions worldwide. To ensure they are well-prepared, students have a number of resources available to enhance their TOEFL score.
ETS offers resources and study materials for the TOEFL exam test. TOEFL TestReady is a portal that includes practice tests, performance insights, courses, guidebooks, and more. [8] ETS also offers the TOEFL iBT Test Prep Planner, an eight-week plan with skill-building activities and sample test questions. For students who want personalized guidance, ETS also connects test takers with independent tutors at Preply® who are trained to teach the academic English that appears on the TOEFL iBT.
Other resources, applications, and webinars are also available for students on the ETS website.
Building Your TOEFL Study Plan
A clear plan makes your preparation more effective. Start with a full practice test to find your baseline in each section, then set a target score based on the requirements of the schools on your list. Focus most of your study time on your lowest section while keeping your other skills sharp.
- Reading: Read academic articles in English every day and summarize the main idea in a sentence or two.
- Listening: Listen to lectures and podcasts on academic topics, and practice taking quick, organized notes.
- Writing: Write short responses on a timer, then review them for clarity, grammar, and organization.
- Speaking: Record yourself answering practice questions and listen back for pace and pronunciation.
Take another full practice test every few weeks to track your progress, and leave time for a retake before your earliest deadline. If you are also preparing for other admissions tests, our overview of SAT test requirements can help you plan your full testing calendar.
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