The Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFL, pronounced "toe-full" or sometimes "toffle") evaluates the potential success of an individual to use and understand Standard American English at a college level. It is required for non-native applicants at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test. A TOEFL score is valid for two years and then is deleted from the official database. Colleges and universities usually consider only the most recent score.The TOEFL test is a registered trademark of Educational Testing Service (ETS) and is administered worldwide.
 
Test Your Reading, Listening and Writing Skills with TOEFL PBT The TOEFL Paper-based Test (PBT) measures how well you read, listen and write in English. Writing skills are measured with the TWE (Test of Written English™) test, which everyone takes as part of the TOEFL PBT.

Test Your Speaking Skills with the TSE (Test of Spoken English) Test

The TSE (Test of Spoken English) test measures how well test takers speak in English and is available to anyone who needs scores for college admission or certification in a professional field.

Why take the TOEFL test?
The TOEFL test gives you more choices about where you want to study.
TOEFL is accepted by more institutions than any other English-language test in the world — including the top colleges and universities.
6,000+ institutions in 110 countries, including almost every university in the USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand and Canada, rely on TOEFL scores for admissions, scholarship and graduation decisions.
 
In fact, more institutions accept TOEFL test scores than any other test scores in the world — more than 6,000 colleges, universities and licensing agencies in 110 countries, to be exact. See University Directory (PDF).
 

The demand for test seats remains very high even after almost a year after the introduction of the test: Candidates have to wait for months since short-term test dates are fully booked. The four-hour test consists of four sections, each measuring mainly one of the basic language skills (although some tasks may require multiple skills) and focusing on language used in an academic, higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed during the iBT. The test cannot be taken more than once a day.

TOEFL PBT Test Content

The TOEFL Paper-based Test (PBT) has 3 sections plus a 30-minute writing test, the TWE (Test of Written English), which is required of everyone who takes the paper-based test.

Section Time Limit No. of Questions
Listening Comprehension 30-40 minutes 50
Structure and Written Expression 25 minutes 40
Reading Comprehension 55 minutes 50
Writing (Test of Written English) 30 minutes 1 topic

  • Listening Comprehension measures the ability to understand English as it is spoken in North America.
  • Structure and Written Expression measures the ability to recognize language that is appropriate for standard written English.
  • Reading Comprehension measures the ability to understand non-technical reading material.
 
Internet-Based Test
Since its introduction in late 2005, the Internet-Based test (iBT) has progressively replaced both the computer-based (CBT) and paper-based (PBT) tests. The iBT has been introduced in phases, with the United States, Canada, France, Germany, and Italy in 2005 and the rest of the world in 2006, with test centers added regularly.
 

TOEFL PBT Fees

Item Fee
Registration US$140
Additional Score Reports (per recipient) US$17 each
TOEFL PBT Answer Sheet Rescore US$25
TWE® Essay Rescore US$50
Returned Personal Check US$20

Fees are subject to change without notice and do not include Value Added or other taxes.

Payment Policies

All payments for tests and services must:

  • be paid in full
  • be dated within 90 days of the date of receipt at ETS
  • have the correct numeric and written dollar amount
  • have appropriate signature(s)

Outstanding balances from other ETS tests and/or services must be paid in full before you register. Services or test scores may be withheld for nonpayment.

If you do not submit the correct fee, your registration form or request for service will be returned.

Do not send cash or demand drafts. Receipts for bank checks or money orders are not acceptable. The actual negotiable check or money order must be sent with your request for service.

Preferred Forms of Payment

Personal Check

  • Personal paper check must be payable to ETS-TOEFL PBT. Post-dated checks are not accepted.
  • Be sure the following information is printed on the front of your check:
    • Bank name, address and check number.
    • Test taker's or payee's name and address. Typewritten names are not acceptable.
    • Checks cannot be more than 90 days old.
    • Check must be drawn on a bank in the U.S.
    • A US$20 service fee will be charged for insufficient funds.

Euro checks

  • Checks must be drawn on a bank in the same European country as the person writing the check.

Western Union Quick PaySM

  • When completing the form, use the following under "Pay To:" Company Name: Educational Testing Service; City Code: TOEFLPROGRAM NJ; Country: USA

You must include your original Western Union Quick Pay Receipt with your form. Copies or facsimiles WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED as valid payment.

Other forms of payment include:

  • International money order
  • Authorization voucher
  • Bank draft (internationally)
  • UNESCO coupons (internationally)

Acceptable Currencies (All others will be returned.)

Australian Dollar Japanese Yen
British Pound New Zealand Dollar
Canadian Dollar Norwegian Kroner
Danish Kroner Singapore Dollar
Euro Swedish Kroner
Hong Kong Dollar Swiss Franc

Do not send cash or demand drafts. Receipts for bank checks or money orders are not acceptable. The actual negotiable check or money order must be sent with your request.

Refunds

A partial refund of US$65 is available if you return an unused paper-based test admission ticket. Once you are admitted to the test center, you are not eligible for any refund. Refunds will not be given if you do not follow proper registration procedures and/or fail to present the required ID document(s) at the test center.

To request a partial refund:

Complete the Refund Request Form and send your unused paper-based test admission ticket with the form to:

TOEFL Services
Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151 USA

Your Refund Request Form and admission ticket must be received within 60 days after your test date. Refunds will be in U.S. dollars. If original payment was drawn on a U.S. bank, allow 8 weeks for processing. If original payment was made in non-U.S. funds drawn on a bank outside the U.S., allow 12 weeks.