The TOEFL iBT® test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. And it evaluates how well you combine your reading, listening, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.

Why Take the TOEFL® Test?

Compared to other English-language tests, the TOEFL® test includes a number of advantages that help you stand out from other applicants.

More Popular With Students

More TOEFL scores are sent to U.S. and Canadian universities than all other English-language tests combined.

More TOEFL scores are sent to German and French universities than any other English-language tests.

More Preferred by Universities

The TOEFL test is the English-language test most preferred by universities in the United States, France and Germany, and by graduate programs in Canada.

Makes Dreams Come True

90% of TOEFL test takers surveyed got into their 1st or 2nd choice university.

Better for Success in the Classroom

Only the TOEFL test prepares you for the academic English requirements of a university. Test questions combine reading, listening, speaking and writing skills just as in an academic classroom. Studying for the TOEFL test helps ensure you arrive at university better prepared than others who have not taken the TOEFL test.

100% Fair and Unbiased Scoring

There are no unfair TOEFL test centers, because tests aren’t scored there. Tests are only scored through a centralized scoring network. The crucial Speaking section uses multiple human raters who do not know test takers’ identities. This prevents the bias that can occur in other tests that use a face-to-face interview with a single rater.

Who Takes the TOEFL Test?

More than 35 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL test to demonstrate their English-language proficiency. The average English skill level ranges between Intermediate and Advanced.

 Students planning to study at a higher education institution

 English-language learning program admissions and exit

 Scholarship and certification candidates

 English-language learners who want to track their progress

 Students and workers applying for visas

Where Can I Get Local, In-language Support?

You can contact a local TOEFL iBT Resource Center for general in-language information about the TOEFL test and test preparation. TOEFL iBT Resource Centers are available in specific countries.

Who Accepts TOEFL Test Scores?

TOEFL scores are accepted by more than 10,000 universities and other institutions worldwide, including universities in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., the United States, and across Europe and Asia. It is the English-language test most preferred by universities in the United States, France and Germany, and by graduate programs in Canada.

For more information, including using your scores to satisfy visa requirements in Australia and the U.K., how to find institutions that accept TOEFL scores, and more, see Who Accepts TOEFL Scores.

Where and When Can I Take the TOEFL iBT Test?

The TOEFL test has over 50 test dates per year at authorized test centers around the world. You can retake the test as many times as you wish, but you cannot take it more than once in a 12-day period. If you already have a test appointment, you cannot register for another test date that is within 12 days of your existing appointment. The registration fee is due each time you register for a test date.

This retake policy will be enforced even if a violation is not immediately identified (for example, inconsistent registration information).

 If the violation is identified after registration but before the test date, your test appointment will be canceled and your test fee will not be refunded.

 If the violation is not identified until after your scores have been reported, your scores will be canceled. You and any score recipients will be notified by a cancellation letter, and your test fee will not be refunded.

What Resources Can Help Me Prepare for the TOEFL iBT Test?

ETS offers a variety of paid and free preparation materials to help you get ready for the TOEFL test.

What Does the TOEFL iBT Test Cost?

The cost of the test varies depending on location. For information on registration, fees, test dates and locations, select your test location.

1 Sources: Surveys of university admissions officers (329 in the United States, 107 in Canada, 59 in France, 100 in Germany).

2 Source: Survey of 296 randomly selected university students who took the TOEFL test.