About the TOEFL iBT® Test

The TOEFL iBT® test, administered via the Internet, is an important part of your journey to study in an English-speaking country. In addition to the test, the ETS TOEFL Program provides tools and guides to help you prepare for the test and improve your English-language skills.

What Is the TOEFL iBT Test?

The TOEFL iBT test measures your ability to use and understand English at the university level. And it evaluates how well you combine your listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks.

There are two formats for the TOEFL test. The format you take depends on the location of your test center. Most test takers take the TOEFL iBT test. Test centers that do not have Internet access offer the Paper-based Test (PBT).

Who Takes the TOEFL iBT Test?

Each year, nearly a million individuals of all ages take the TOEFL test to demonstrate their English-language proficiency. More than 25 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL test since it was first offered. The average English skill level ranges between Intermediate and Advanced.

  • Students planning to study at a higher education institution
  • English-language learning program admissions and exit
  • Scholarship and certification candidates
  • English-language learners who want to track their progress
  • Students and workers applying for visas

Who Accepts TOEFL iBT Test Scores?

More than 8,000 colleges, agencies and other institutions in over 130 countries accept TOEFL scores. Other organizations rely on TOEFL scores as well:

  • Immigration departments use them to issue residential and work visas
  • Medical and licensing agencies use them for professional certification purposes
  • Individuals use them to measure their progress in learning English

To learn more about how the TOEFL test can be your passport to study anywhere English is spoken, watch our new video, The TOEFL® Test: Your Passport to the World (Flash).

Where and When Can I Take the TOEFL iBT Test?

The TOEFL test has more test dates (30–40) and locations (4,500 test centers in 165 countries) than any other English-language test in the world. You can retake the test as many times as you wish.

Watch a short video (Flash) to see what happens at one of our TOEFL iBT test centers on test day.

What Resources Can Help Me Prepare for the TOEFL iBT Test?

ETS offers a variety of paid and free preparation materials to help you get ready for the TOEFL test. Watch our new video, TOEFL® Resources: An Overview for Students (Flash) to learn about the tools from ETS that can help you prepare for the TOEFL test.

All testing programs’ websites inform candidates that ETS reserves the right to ensure the security of test content by using metaldetectors/wands, and that failure to comply will result in dismissal from the test and forfeiture of test fees.

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