Internationally recognized primarily used for academic admissions but may also support professional licensing.
Exam Details
- Owner/Creator
- ETS (Educational Testing Service)
- Provider/Administrator
- ETS
- Official Website(s)
- https://www.ets.org/toefl.html
- Exam Types
- TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test): Most common version, available globally
TOEFL Paper Edition: Available where internet testing is limited; includes speaking separately at home
TOEFL Home Edition: iBT taken at home with online proctoring (used during COVID, still offered in some places) - Structure
- Reading: 20 tasks, 35 min
Listening: 28 questions, 36 min
Speaking: 4 tasks, 16 min
Writing: 2 tasks, 29 min
Total: up to 2 hours - Format
- Internet-based (iBT and Home Edition),
Paper-based (Reading, Listening, Writing in person; Speaking online) - Results Time
- iBT: 4–8 days;
Home Edition: 4–8 days;
Paper: 11–13 business days - Scoring System
- 0–30 per section, 0–120 total
- Certificate Format
- Digital PDF downloadable from ETS account
- Certificate Validity
- 2 years
- How to Verify Certificate
- Institutions access official scores via ETS ScoreLink or ScoreSelect
- Certificate Authenticity Features
- Digital certificates; no paper version mailed; secure access via ETS
- Academic Use
- Required for undergraduate and graduate programs in the US and Canada
Accepted by Ivy League institutions and European universities
Used in admissions for universities in Turkey alongside SAT or ACT - Immigration Use
- Indirect – used to prove English proficiency for academic immigration routes
Not accepted for direct visa applications to UK or Canada
May be accepted by US nursing boards as part of licensure packages (depending on state) - Available in Ukraine
- YES, only online during war
- Available in Gulf Countries
- YES, UAE, Qatar, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain
- Can Be a Test Center
- YES
- Center Requirements
- https://www.ets.org/ctas/requirements.html
ETS-compliant computers, noise-isolated rooms, internet backup, trained proctors - Docs & Photos Needed
- Floor plan, photos, business registration, hardware specs, staff training records, etc
- Application Process
- 1. Contact ETS via TOEFL test center page
2. Submit proposal and documents
3. Pass site inspection
4. Complete training and certification - Contact Info for Setup
- Apply here
- Phone Numbers
1-877-863-3546 - toll-free number for general inquiries, North America
1-609-771-7100 - main global phone number for ETS TOEFL customer service, international
31-320-239-540 - registration through Prometric
1-800-750-6991 - security hotline, US
1-609-406-5430 - security hotline, other
- General Emails
- REFER TO ETS EMAILS
toeflnews@ets.org - Program Contacts for Teachers, Advisors and Agents
communicatetestsecurity@ets.org - for institutions or score users with concerns about a test taker's TOEFL scores - Personal Emails
- REFER TO ETS EMAILS
