What is TOEFL Exam?

The TOEFL exam is an English language proficiency test conducted by ETS for students planning to study abroad. The TOEFL iBT is accepted by more than 13,500 institutions across 160+ countries.

TOEFL Exam 2026: ETS conducts the TOEFL exam throughout the year. The exam is offered more than 170 times a year, depending on the location and local center capacity. Candidates can take the TOEFL test at an authorised test centre or from home through the TOEFL iBT Home Edition. The official website to register for the TOEFL exam is in.ets.org/toefl.html. 

The TOEFL exam fee in India is around INR 18,000. The test has four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. From January 2026, TOEFL scores are reported on a new 1-6 scale, along with a comparable 0-120 score during the transition period. Read on this page to learn all about the TOEFL exam.

Latest updates:

• The TOEFL iBT now uses a 1-6 scoring scale in half-point increments.
• TOEFL candidates also receive a comparable 0-120 overall score during the two-year transition period after January 2026.
• The TOEFL test takes approximately 2 hours to complete, excluding directions.
• TOEFL iBT can be taken at an authorised test centre or through the Home Edition.
• TOEFL scores are valid for 2 years.

What is TOEFL Exam?

TOEFL or Test of English as a Foreign Language is an English language proficiency test conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). The TOEFL test is mainly taken by students who want to study at universities and colleges where English is the medium of instruction. TOEFL iBT scores are accepted by more than 13,500 institutions in over 160 countries.

The TOEFL examination measures a candidate's English skills in four areas: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. The test is designed around the type of English students may use in academic environments, such as lectures, discussions, presentations and written communication.

From January 21, 2026, the TOEFL exam had a major update and uses a new 1–6 scoring scale in half-point increments. Candidates also receive a comparable overall score on the 0–120 scale during the two-year transition period after January 2026.

What is TOEFL Used For?

The TOEFL test is mainly used to demonstrate English language proficiency for study abroad admissions. Universities and other institutions use TOEFL scores to understand whether a student has the English skills required for an academic programme.

TOEFL scores are accepted across countries such as the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Ireland, New Zealand, Singapore, Japan and many other study destinations. However, the TOEFL score requirement can vary by university, programme and degree level.

Students should check the English language requirements of each university before booking the TOEFL examination. Some institutions may also accept other English language tests.

Who Takes the TOEFL?

The TOEFL exam is mainly taken by students who are planning to apply to universities or colleges in countries where English language proficiency is required. The test can be useful for students applying for undergraduate, postgraduate and other academic programmes. 

Students may take the TOEFL test when a university asks for proof of English proficiency as part of its admission process. TOEFL scores may also be considered by scholarship bodies and other institutions. The TOEFL test measures academic English skills across Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. This makes it useful for students preparing to study in English-speaking countries.

Who Can Take the TOEFL?

There are no age restrictions for taking the TOEFL iBT. However, ETS states that the content of the test is designed at the level of a first-year university student. Test takers aged 15 or younger at a test centre should be accompanied by an authorised adult.

Candidates should also check the admission requirements of their target university before taking the TOEFL examination. There are no TOEFL eligibility requirements or pass mark set by ETS. Each institution decides the score it requires.

Candidates must also carry acceptable identification on the test day. The name and date of birth entered during TOEFL registration must match the details on the ID document.

How to Register for TOEFL?

Candidates can complete TOEFL registration online through their ETS account. They need to create an account, select the test date and testing option, provide the required details and pay the TOEFL registration fee.

Given below is the basic TOEFL registration process:

Step 1: Visit the official TOEFL website and create an ETS account.

Step 2: Enter personal details required for TOEFL registration.

Step 3: Select the preferred TOEFL test date.

Step 4: Select the testing option, either an authorised test centre or Home Edition, where available.

Step 5: Enter the required identification details.

Step 6: Check the test date, location and personal details carefully.

Step 7: Pay the TOEFL test fee using an available payment method.

Step 8: Complete the registration and save the confirmation details.

Candidates should make sure that their name and date of birth exactly match their ID. Any mismatch can prevent them from taking the test and the test fee may not be refunded.

TOEFL Exam Costs

The TOEFL test cost varies by testing location. In India, the TOEFL exam fee for 2026 in India is around INR 18,000, including applicable taxes. The fee is the same for the TOEFL iBT test centre and Home Edition.

The TOEFL exam price also depends on additional services selected by candidates. Candidates may have to pay extra charges for late registration, rescheduling, additional score reports and score review.

Candidates should check the fee displayed on the ETS website while booking the test because TOEFL fees and service charges can change.

TOEFL Exam Structure and Scoring

The TOEFL exam has four sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. The TOEFL 2026 test is adaptive, so the actual number of questions and test time may vary. Candidates can check the latest TOEFL exam pattern below: 

The TOEFL test takes approximately two hours to complete. The test time does not include directions. There are no scheduled breaks during the TOEFL examination.

TOEFL Exam Duration and Format

The TOEFL exam can be taken in two formats. Candidates can take the TOEFL iBT on a computer at an authorised test centre or take the TOEFL iBT Home Edition from home with a live human proctor. The test centre and Home Edition versions assess the same four English skills. Candidates taking the test at home must meet the required equipment and testing environment conditions.

Notes are allowed during the TOEFL test. At a test centre, scratch paper and pencils are provided. For the Home Edition, candidates can use a small whiteboard or blank paper inside a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker. Mobile phones and other mobile devices are not permitted during the test. Writing assistance software is also not permitted.

TOEFL Score Ranges

From January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT scores are reported on a 1–6 scale in half-point increments. Candidates receive scores for Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, along with an overall score.

The overall TOEFL score is calculated by taking the average of the four section scores. The average is then rounded to the nearest half band. For example, an average score of 5.25 is reported as 5.5.

During the two-year transition period after January 2026, candidates also receive a comparable 0–120 overall score. This allows students to meet requirements of institutions that still use the older score format. There is no universal TOEFL cutoff or passing score. Universities and institutions decide their own score requirements.

What is a Good TOEFL Score?

There is no single score that can be called good for every student. A good score is the score that meets the English language requirement of the university and programme where the student wants to apply.

Some universities may continue to mention their requirements on the older 0–120 scale, while others may use the new 1–6 scale. Candidates should check the latest requirement directly with their target institution before applying.

Students should also check whether the university has separate minimum requirements for Reading, Listening, Speaking or Writing in addition to the overall TOEFL score.

How Many Times Can You Take the TOEFL?

There is no limit on the number of times a candidate can take the TOEFL test. However, candidates cannot take the TOEFL exam more than once within a three-day period.

This rule also applies if a candidate has cancelled the scores from a previous test. Candidates with an existing test appointment cannot register for another test date that falls within three days of the existing appointment.

Students who are not satisfied with their TOEFL score can therefore take the test again, provided they follow the required gap between two test appointments.

How to Prepare for TOEFL?

TOEFL preparation should focus on all four sections of the test. Candidates should understand the question types first and then practise regularly. Since the 2026 TOEFL test includes new task types, students should use updated study material for preparation.

For effective TOEFL preparation, candidates can follow the steps given below:

• Understand the TOEFL exam pattern: Start by learning about the four sections, task types, number of questions and approximate time.
• Practise Reading: Read short texts regularly and practise completing words, understanding information from daily life and reading academic passages.
• Practise Listening: Listen to conversations, announcements and academic talks. Try to understand the main idea and important details.
• Practise Writing: Work on sentence formation, email writing and responses for academic discussions.
• Practise Speaking: Practise listening and repeating sentences and answering interview-style questions clearly.
• Take TOEFL mock tests: A TOEFL mock test helps candidates understand the test format, manage time and identify areas that need more practice.
• Track your performance: Candidates should keep a record of their mock test scores and focus more on sections where they are losing marks.

Students can also use official TOEFL preparation resources and practice material to understand the updated 2026 test format.

TOEFL FAQs