The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is one of the most widely recognised English proficiency assessments in the world, accepted by thousands of universities across the United States, Canada, and beyond. Administered by ETS, it evaluates your reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills in academic contexts. If you're pursuing higher education abroad, chances are you'll need to sit this exam.
What is the TOEFL Exam?
The TOEFL is a standardised test that measures your ability to use and understand English at a university level. It's accepted by over 12,000 institutions in more than 160 countries and is one of the most trusted credentials for demonstrating English proficiency to universities, employers, and immigration authorities.
The exam tests four core skills:
- Reading — Understanding academic passages
- Listening — Comprehending lectures and conversations
- Speaking — Expressing ideas clearly and fluently
- Writing — Producing well-organised academic responses
TOEFL iBT vs TOEFL Essentials — What's the Difference?
There are two primary TOEFL formats you should know about.
TOEFL iBT
The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) is the most widely used format and is recognised by over 12,000 universities across 160+ countries. It's specifically designed for academic admission purposes and spans approximately 2 hours.
It's available in three ways:
- Test centre — Sit the exam at an authorised centre (60+ test dates annually)
- Home edition — Take it online from home with live human proctoring, available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week
- Paper edition — A hybrid option combining in-centre and at-home components
TOEFL Essentials
TOEFL Essentials is a newer, shorter format designed to assess core English proficiency across both academic and general contexts.
- Duration: 90 minutes, taken from home
- Cost: US$100–$120 depending on location
- Accepted by 90%+ of surveyed universities in the USA, UK, and Canada
- Also suitable for work and immigration purposes
Key difference: TOEFL iBT is the standard for academic admissions and has a strictly academic focus. TOEFL Essentials is shorter, more affordable, and blends academic and general English — making it suitable for a wider range of purposes beyond university admission.
TOEFL Exam Fees
Registration costs vary by location.
- TOEFL iBT: approximately US$200–$290
- TOEFL Essentials: approximately US$100–$120
Additional Service Fees
| Service | Cost | |---------|------| | Late registration | US$40 | | Rescheduling | US$60 | | Reinstatement of cancelled scores | US$20 | | Additional score reports (per institution) | US$25 each | | Speaking or Writing section score review | US$80 | | Speaking and Writing section score review | US$160 | | Returned payment | US$30 |
Validity of TOEFL Scores
TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. After that, institutions will no longer accept them as proof of proficiency.
You can retake the TOEFL as many times as you like, with no limit on attempts. The only requirement is that you leave a minimum of three days between test attempts.
TOEFL Score Structure
Each of the four sections — Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing — is scored on a scale of 0 to 30, giving a total score range of 0 to 120.
A strong TOEFL total score typically falls between 100 and 110. Scores at the 90th percentile indicate a high level of competence and are competitive for admission to top universities.
Most universities publish their minimum TOEFL score requirements on their admissions pages — always check the specific requirement for your target programme.
Retaking the TOEFL
There's no limit to how many times you can take the TOEFL. However, you must wait at least three days between attempts.
If you feel a particular section score doesn't reflect your ability, you can request a score review within 30 days of your test date for US$80 per section (or US$160 for both Speaking and Writing).
Recognition of TOEFL
TOEFL scores are accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities in English-speaking countries worldwide. This includes institutions in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and many others.
That said, requirements vary by institution and programme. Always verify the specific score requirement for the university or programme you're applying to, as some may also accept alternative tests such as IELTS or Duolingo English Test.
Want to practise for the TOEFL? Gabble offers AI-powered TOEFL practice with instant, exam-level feedback on your speaking and writing — so you know exactly where you stand before test day. Start practising →