TOEFL 2020 Exam Dates, Eligibility, Fee & iBT practice test

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an international standardised test conducted to assess the level of English fluency of non-native speakers. It is designed and administered by Education Training Service, Princeton.

Latest: TOEFL has introduced the afternoon test session to reduce waiting period for the candidates retaking the test.

The test is conducted in both online and offline mode more than 50 times in a year, depending upon the country and region. The score of TOEFL (valid for 2 years) is accepted by more than 10,000 institutions, universities and agencies across 130 countries.

• TOEFL is no longer a requirement for healthcare professionals who wish to practice in the U.K, Occupational English Test (OET) scores will now be accepted for all Tier 2 (General) U.K. visa applications submitted from October 1, 2019. 
• Registration for the chosen TOEFL date must be done atleast one month before the first deadline of the registration.This will give you plenty of time to work on your applications. In case you need to retake the exam, you can do so after 12 days of the first attempt.
• TOEFL registration fee varies from region to region. The fee can range from $160 – $250.
• The duration of the exam is 4 hours. It is divided into4 sections viz. Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

TOEFL 2019 Highlights

Popular Questions on TOEFL

What is the exam mode of TOEFL?

• TOEFL is available in two formats- one that is delivered via the internet (iBT), and one that is a paper test.
• Maximum number of candidates (about 98%) take TOEFL iBT. This is a more desireable format by the universities since it assesses 4 major English Language skills — reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
• Candidates who do not have access to internet services can take the revised TOEFL “Paper-delivered” Test. There is no “Speaking section” in this mode.

Who Takes the TOEFL Test?

Poeple who want to demonstrate or test their level of proficiency in the English-Language sit for TOEFL. More than 30 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL till date.

Why choose TOEFL over other exams?

TOEFL is preferred over other exams that test proficiency in English language because:

• It’s the most widely accepted test in the world
• It most accurately measures the candidates level of English proficiency
• It’s the most fair and unbiased test for the stated purporse
• It can be attempted frequently and conveniently.

Who Accepts TOEFL Scores?

More than 10,000 universities and colleges in over 130 countries accept TOEFL test scores. Following agencies and institutions also rely on TOEFL score:

• It is used by the Immigration departments to issue residential and work visas.
• Medical and licensing agencies use it for professional certification purposes.
• Individuals use them to measure their progress in learning English.

What Resources Are Available for TOEFL Preparation?

• ETS offers a variety of  materials and sample questions papers for free to help you get ready for the revised TOEFL Paper-delivered Test.
• You can also use free or paid materials designed for the TOEFL iBT test easily available both online and offline.

Are there any Scholarships for TOEFL?

• ETS offers a number Grants and Awards for deserving candidates various research programs organised by it.
• ETS launched ‘TOEFL Scholarships and Giving program‘ helping students fund their in India. Maximum scholarship amount for each student is INR 4,56,890 or $7,000.
• ETS has a granted scholarships to meritorious candidates in Kores, Japan, Taiwan, and China in the past.
• Candidates can enquire about other scholarships by ETS at toefl-scholarship@etsglobal.org

Know More about TOEFL Grants & Awards

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria 2020

• There is no official eligibility criteria for TOEFL set by ETS. TOEFL is open to all the candidates.
• Any student who is planning to pursue higher education in another country where the native language is English can apply.
• A candidate who has passed his or her HSC examination or equivalent from a recognized board.
• Candidates must possess a valid passport to present as a proof of Identity.
• There is no age limit to appear for the test.
• Candidates younger than 15 years of age have to be accompained by their parents to fulfill the formalities at the test center.

How to Register for TOEFL?

TOEFL Registration can be done in three ways – via mail, via phone, or online. The application is open all throughout the year.

TOEFL Online Application

1. Visit the official website i.e. ets.org/toefl
2. Click on “Register Now”
3. Choose the option to “Sign Up”
4. Fill in the information asked like Name, Gender, Address, Phone Number, Email ID, etc.
5. The information provided should be the same as mentioned on the passport
6. Review the information and click on Confirm.
7. After logging in, click on “Register for a test”.
8. Fill in the required information.
9. Click on confirm and pay the application fee.

Check TOEFL Registration Guide

TOEFL Registration by Phone

1. Visit www.ets.org/toefl/contact to find the contact number for Regional Registration Centre (RRC).
2. Payment of registration fee can be done using a credit card, a debit card or an e-check.
3. Registration will end a week before the test date.
4. Late registration with a fine of $40 can be done till 5 p.m. local test center time on the business day before the test.

TOEFL Registration by Mail

1. The candidate will be required to download and fill out TOEFL registration form.
2. There are certain codes that the candidate have to manually fill in the form. These codes can be found on the official website.
3. The choice of payment option can be made from the ones mentioned in the form.
4. Candidates have to mail the filled form and payment to the RRC and it must reach them at least four weeks before the test date.
5. In case, a candidate does not receive a confirmation, he/she must call the RRC at least three business days before the deadline for registration.

TOEFL Exam Fee

• TOEFL Registration cum test fee for iBT can range from $160 – $250 depending upon the region.
• TOEFL Exam Fee for PBT is $180 worldwide.
• In case a candidate opts for late registration, he would be required to pay an additional amount of US $40, as late fee.
• The candidates can remit the fee through Debit/Credit Card, Electronic Check (for the US and its territories), PayPal account, Paper Checks (Personal paper checks, Euro Checks and Checks in Canadian Dollars) and Western-Union Quick Pay.

TOEFL: Rescheduling or Cancelling the Test

• Candidates can choose cancel their registered test date at least 4 days prior to the exam.
• The registration can be cancelled either on the official website or via phone by calling at Regional Registration Center.
• In case of cancellation, 50% of the original fee paid by the candidate will be refunded to them.
• If a candidate wishes to reschedule the test, he/she needs to pay additional $60 before registering for the new test date.

Get more information on TOEFL Rescheduling & Cancellation

TOEFL Exam Dates & Test Centers 2020

TOEFL is conducted in 4500+ centers in over 130 countries across the world. The two modes of the exam- iBT and PBT are conducted depending upon the region. In most of the region TOEFL is conducted. PBT is conducted in numerous region in 45 countries where internet connectivity is not available.

TOEFL iBT

In majority of the countries, TOEFL is conducted as an Internet Based Test. Candidates have to register for the same by following the procedure mentioned above. The list of regions in the countries where the test will be conducted in available on the official website ets.org/toefl 

Countries holding TOEFL PBT

Click here to know about TOEFL TEST DATES AND CENTERS

TOEFL 2020 Exam Pattern

• TOEFL is both an Internet-based test and a Paper-based test.
• The test has four main sections – Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing.
• The different sections of test are shown below.

TOEFL Internet Based Test Pattern

1.  Reading section will consist of about four passage and questions on academic topics.
2. The Listening section will comprise of short audio pieces that will be played and the candidate will have to answer the presented questions after listening to them.
3. The Writing section will require  candidates to listen or read topics and write essays on those topics.
4. There will be no negative marking in the TOEFL exam as per the TOEFL Exam Pattern.

TOEFL Paper-Delivery Test Pattern

TOEFL Paper-Delivery test is organised in the regions without internet connectivity. The pattern followed in the written exam is as follows:

1. Listening – 30 – 40 minutes
   • The Listening section consists of 3 parts.
   • The first one contains 30 questions about short conversations.
   • The second part has 8 questions about longer conversations.
   • The last part asks 12 questions about lectures or talks.
2. Structure and Written Expression – 25 minutes
   • The Structure and Written Expression section has 15 exercises on sentence completion and 25 on identifying errors.
3. Reading Comprehension – 55 minutes
   • The Reading Comprehension sections has 50 questions on a varying number of passages.
4. Writing – 30 minutes
   • The Test of Written English (TWE)  is an 250–300 words long essay question.

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TOEFL Result 2020

• The scores of the exam are declared online within 10 days after the exam date.
• To download your score report, log-in using your ETD ID number and click “View Scores”.
• A schedule of posting score report (PDF) for  each test date is available on the TOEFL iBT website, and you will receive an email letting you know when your scores have been uploaded.
• You can also download and print a PDF copy of your test score report. The PDF will be available within 3 days of the date your scores are posted online.
• Your scores are also sent to the institutions or agencies you selected (and to you, if you requested a paper copy before you took the test).

TOEFL Scoring System

• TOEFL iBT is scored on a range of 0-120 while TOEFL PBT is scored on a range of 310-677.
• The marking for Reading and Listening section is done by a computer and the range of marks allotted is from 0 to 30.
• The Speaking section has a total of six tasks and each one of these is rated from 0 to 4.
• The sum of all tasks combined is scaled in the range of 0 to 30.
• The Writing section has two tasks that are rated from 0 to 5 and as in the previous sections
• The sum of the score is scaled such that it falls in the range of 0 to 30.

The distribution of TOEFL Scores for all sections is as shown below:

TOEFL overall score and the level of expertise it represents:

TOEFL Test Takers with Disabilities or Health-related Needs

ETS provides special assistance or/and accomodations to TOEFL Test Takers with disabilities or health related issues. Any candidate with such needs can send in a request to avail these facilities at disability.reg@ets.org.

Accommodations Provided by ETS

Technical Accommodations

• Screen magnification
• Selectable background and foreground colors
• Kensington Trackball mouse
• IntelliKeys^® keyboard
• Ergonomic keyboard
• Keyboard with touchpad

Specialized Assistance

• Sign language interpreter for spoken directions only
• Oral interpreter for spoken directions only
• Oral interpreter for Listening section only
• Writer/recorder of answers
• Test reader

Adaptive Accommodations

• Audio version of the test
• Reader’s script version of the test
• Braille test (in contracted or uncontracted Braille)
• Braille test with reader’s script
• Large print version of the test
• Regular print version of the test
• Listening section omitted
• Speaking section omitted
• Extended testing time
• Additional rest breaks
• Transcripts of audio elements in Speaking and Writing sections

If you are not sure whether the accommodation you need is available, you must contact ETS Disability Services and request them for the assistances you need.

TOEFL FAQs

Ques. What is TOEFL test?

Ques. What is the difference between TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Paper based test?

Ques. How many times is the test conducted in a year?

Ques. Can I retake the test?

Ques. Can TOEFL test be rescheduled or cancelled?

Ques. How to opt for paper copy of score card?

Ques. When can the registration for the test be done?

Ques. What if the details entered during registration are incorrect?

Ques. Is it possible to change the mailing address which is entered during registration?

Ques. Which sections will be included in the test?

Ques. How will the speaking section test be conducted?

Ques. What are TOEFL scores like?

Ques. How will I get my scores?

Ques. How will I know that the scores have been posted?

Ques. When will I get my scores?

Ques.  What all information will be available on the score card?

Ques. Can TOEFL scores be cancelled?

Ques. Can the cancelled scores be reinstated?

Ques. How can I register to reserve the seat?

Ques. Can the test be rescheduled?

Ques. Is there any fee for rescheduling the test?

Ques. How can the TOEFL test be rescheduled?

Ques. Can the test fee be refunded?

Ques. Is it possible to take test of any specific section/ sections?

Ques. What is the minimum number of questions/ tasks I need to attempt for successful completion of the test?

Ques. How long are TOEFL scores valid?

Ques. Is there any age requirement to appear for the test?

Ques. What all things are need to be carried at the time of the test?