The TOEFL® is designed for nonnative speakers of English who plan to study in undergraduate or graduate programs at colleges or universities in the United States.
Required TOEFL scores vary by school. Check with the schools you are considering for details.
TOEFL Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) tests the four language skills that are important for effective communication in English at the university level: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. It takes four hours to complete. The TOEFL is written and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS).
Registering for the exam
Tests are administered via the Internet at designated test centers. A paper-based test is available at locations without Internet access.
Please read the identification requirements for the TOEFL. Without proper ID, you will not be admitted to the test center and your test fee will be forfeited.
Register online
The deadline to register online for a test is seven days before the test date.
Register by phone
To register by phone, call at least seven days before the test date. A valid credit card is required. Review the TOEFL iBT Registration Form (PDF) for additional information.
Register by mail
- Complete the Registration form (PDF, 76KB).
- Include payment (see Testing and Service Fees for preferred methods of payment).
- Mail completed form (instructions are on the form).
Registration forms must be received by ETS at least four weeks before your first-choice test date.
Preparing for exam
Take a practice test at TOEFL Practice Online.
Test structure
| Language skill | Questions/tasks | Time limit |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | 36–70 multiple-choice questions | 60–100 minutes |
| Listening | 34–51 multiple-choice questions | 60–100 minutes |
| Break | 10 minutes | |
| Speaking | Six tasks | 20 minutes |
| Writing | Six tasks | 50 minutes |
Reviewing test scores
Fifteen days after you take the test, ETS will send the following:
- One printed examinee's score record to you.
- Up to four official score reports to the institutions you designated when registering for the test.
- Additional reports are available for an additional fee.
The printed score report will contain the final section scores as well as total score.
*TOEFL is a registered trademark of the College Entrance Examination Board, which was not involved in the production of and does not endorse this site.
