TOEFL score validity and all you need to know about it

The TOEFL exam is difficult enough without having to worry about how long your scores are valid. This post answers these worries and gives you tips on when you can take your exam so that your TOEFL score validity doesn’t end before you apply to universities. 

How long is a TOEFL score valid?

Unlike other tests such as the GRE and GMAT, the TOEFL score is only valid for two years after taking it. The ETS released the TOEFL Special Home Edition during the COVID pandemic, which has the same TOEFL validity period as the original exam. 

During the two-year validity period, the TOEFL score can be shared with the institutes of one’s choice. The validity of the TOEFL exam begins on the day the exam is taken, not on the day the results are published. Furthermore, it is not possible to extend the TOEFL exam validity time.

Why is the TOEFL score valid only for 2 years?

One could wonder why, when compared to other tests, the TOEFL score validity is so short. The answer to the question is that it is a language competence test. Over time, one’s linguistic talents may develop or deteriorate based on the frequency with which the language is used, which may have an impact on academic performance.

When should you take the TOEFL?

Given the two-year validity criteria, it is critical to carefully organize the test dates as admission applications are only accepted with valid TOEFL results. Furthermore, most institutes will require a valid score throughout the entrance application process, but some may have a policy requiring the score to be valid through the program’s start date. This becomes an important issue for a student before taking the TOEFL exam because there may be a substantial gap of time, generally several months, between the date of application to the institution and the start date of the program. If the institute requires it after acceptance into a program, one may be asked to retake the TOEFL test so that it is valid at the start of the program.

Thus, it is critical to evaluate the validity criteria of all colleges to which one intends to apply. Only after rigorous research and collection of necessary information and requirements should the TOEFL exam dates be chosen.

How to prepare for the TOEFL so that your results stay valid?

Because TOEFL scores are only valid for two years, you may need to plan ahead of time to ensure you have valid TOEFL scores to present when applying to colleges. To help you decide when to take the TOEFL, follow these four steps.

Examine TOEFL score validity policies for each school you’re applying to 

f you plan on taking the TOEFL early (at least a year before you begin applying), it’s critical to understand the TOEFL score validity policies for each school you’re considering. Most colleges will mention their requirement, along with other TOEFL information, on their admissions page. If they don’t, contact them and inquire. It’s a lot easier to make a fast phone call or send an email than it is to deal with TOEFL scores that are out of the current.

Determine the timeframe for taking the TOEFL

When you know the TOEFL validity dates for each of your schools, you can determine when you can take the TOEFL. If you want to take the TOEFL early, keep in mind that you cannot take it more than two years before the validity dates for the colleges to which you are applying.

If you plan on taking the TOEFL later, keep in mind that it takes around three weeks for colleges in the United States to get your scores and eight weeks or longer for schools outside the United States. Allow enough time for colleges to obtain your test results before application deadlines.

Think about retakes

It is possible to take the TOEFL numerous times, which you may want to do if you want the practice or if you aren’t convinced you’ll score high enough the first time you take the test. If you don’t think you’ll utilize your first TOEFL score, it’s okay to take it more than two years in advance because it won’t matter if those TOEFL results have expired. To save money, you may wish to consider taking free practice TOEFLs instead.

On the other hand, if you’re taking the TOEFL near school application deadlines, make sure to allow enough time for a retake if you think you may need it. You are unable to take the TOEFL more than once in a 12-day period.

Key takeaways

• The TOEFL score validity is only for 2 years from the date of the exam.
• You can send your score to any number of universities during these two years.
• Once the validity of the exam can not be extended under any circumstance.
• Plan your university application time frame in advance so that your scores do not expire until the start of the semester.

For more information on the TOEFL exam, its syllabus, and exam pattern, visit the iSchoolConnect website today!

FAQs

Question 1: When and how many times can I retake the TOEFL exam?

Answer 1: The TOEFL exam is held 50 times a year. Therefore, candidates can take it as many times as they need to. If a candidate does not meet the minimum TOEFL cut-off for his or her selected institution, he or she may retake the exam. A candidate can retake the exam after a week or seven days, according to amendments made in August 2019. Previously, retaking the TOEFL required a 12-day wait. However, each retake will be paid separately to the candidate.

Question 2: When will I receive my TOEFL results?

Answer 2: Candidates will receive their scores in their ETS accounts or by email within six days of the test. Score reports are also sent via postal mail, which takes 11 days, including delivery time. However, the time it takes to deliver TOEFL scores differs depending on the university:

Furthermore, mail delivery of your TOEFL scores in the United States can take up to 7-10 days, and it can take up to 4-6 weeks in locations outside the United States. As a result, it is advised to take the test at least 2-3 months before the application deadline.

Question 3: How much does it cost to send my TOEFL results?

Answer 3: The cost of transmitting a TOEFL score to a university is included in the TOEFL fee and is not an additional cost. Students should choose ahead of time which universities they will be applying to so that they can send their reports for free before the test. However, the student can only send four reports for free. Once they exceed that number, candidates must pay the TOEFL Additional Score Report charge of $20 USD for each report if they send it after the test.