How to Take the TOEFL Home Edition- Updated 2024
How to Take the TOEFL Home Edition: The TOEFL iBT home edition is the same examination that you can take at the TOEFL test center. The TOEFL Home Edition is a permanent part of the all TOEFL examination which can be taken four days a week.
The TOEFL Home Edition scorecard is accepted by all universities and the examination mode is available all over the world except Mainland China and Iran. In this article, we are going to discuss the process of How to Take the TOEFL Home Edition in detail.
How to Take the TOEFL Home Edition
TOEFL Home Edition 2024
The TOEFL iBT home edition is a preferred format for those candidates who want to take their TOEFL examination from their homes. The TOEFL iBT home edition is an internet-based testing process that is 3 to 3.5 hours long and the candidates can take their examination comfortably from their home.
There are so many countries from where you can take the test and most of the educational institutes accept the test report of the TOEFL iBT home edition. The examination pattern and the syllabus are similar to the iBT exam conducted in official ETS test centers. Here is the general overview of the TOEFL Home Edition 2024 as mentioned below.
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TOEFL Home Edition 2024 – Overview |
|
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT full form | Test of English as a Foreign Language (internet-Based Test) |
| Conducted by | Educational Testing Services (ETS) |
| Purpose of test | Assesses the English skills of international students planning to study abroad |
| No. of sections | 4 |
| Duration | 3-3½ hours |
| Total score | 120 |
|
Registration Fee |
16900 INR |
|
Score Validity |
2 Years |
TOEFL Home Edition Exam Pattern – 2024
TOEFL Home Edition is an English test that assesses your English speaking skills through four different segments including reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Here is the TOEFL Home Edition Exam Pattern in 2024 as mentioned below.
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TOEFL Home Edition Exam Pattern in 2024 |
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|---|---|---|---|---|
| TOEFL Home Edition Section | No. of questions |
Duration (in minutes) |
Total score | Tasks |
| Reading | 30-40 | 54-72 | 30 | 3-4 reading passages. |
| Listening | 28-39 | 41-57 | 30 | 3-4 audio recordings of lectures, discussions, and conversations. |
| Speaking | 4 | 17 | 30 |
Task 1 – Read or listen to a passage or lecture to write answers. Task 2 – Write an essay on a given topic. |
| Writing | 2 | 50 | 30 | Face-to-face conversation on familiar topics or issues. |
How to Take the TOEFL Home Edition
Before the registration process for your upcoming TOEFL Home Edition, you need to make sure about some major things that are related to the examination. Let us discuss this in detail.
Meeting the Technology Requirements – TOEFL Home Edition
Before scheduling the TOEFL Home Edition examination you need to check your system requirements. You need to ensure that because with this you will be able to know that your setup is eligible as per the ETS standards. The technology requirements are basic and you need to take care of some points as mentioned below.
- The operating system should be Windows 7, 8, 10, or 11.
- You can use your MacBook that runs on Mac OS X 10.5 or higher.
- A working microphone and webcam are required which can be either external or built-in type.
- No headset mic is not allowed for the examination.
- Your system should pass the online ProctorU System Test and you need to enable the Flash.
- Google Chrome is the recommended browser while you are taking the test.
- An irregular Wifi is not the ideal one for the TOEFL Home Edition. You need to do the bandwidth test also. If your wifi connection does not pass the test, just enable hotspot and use it for the examination.
Booking the Examination Slot – TOEFL Home Edition
You need to create both an ETS and ProctorU account to book the TOEFL Home Edition examination slot. Here are the major steps related to this as mentioned below.
- You need to create an ETS account for TOEFL. After the successful login, you have to go to the ETS’s My TOEFL page.
- Click the “Register/Find Test Centers, Dates” option in the middle left of your screen and follow the process to select the TOEFL Home Edition.
- Pay your registration fee and schedule the examination. The TOEFL Home Edition is a permanent part of the all TOEFL examination which can be taken four days a week.
- After the complete slot booking, you will receive an mail from ProctorU and you need to follow the instructions to register your ETS account with them. If you face any problem, you can talk to the ProctorU staff when needed.
Testing Your System with a Real Proctor – TOEFL Home Edition
It is the step by which you will be able to test your system with a real proctor. Here are the major details related to this as mentioned below.
- After booking the test and creating an account with ProctorU, you will receive an automated mail from them.
- With this mail, you will get an opportunity to test your system with a ProctorU representative through live chat.
- After entering the live chat you will be able to ask them to test your whole system.
- You need to do it before the examination as it will help you to practice more with the whole setup.
- The ProctorU’s chat applet download link is the chat window link by which you can talk to them.
Setup and Security Check on Test Day – TOEFL Home Edition
It is recommended to check the whole system once by downloading the ProctorU’s chat applet by a live proctor.
- By any chance, if you forget to do that, you do not have to be worried at all. Before the examination, you can go through the same process and it take around 20 minutes.
- For the security procedure, you have to use your ID. You need to hold the camera and rotate it all over the room to show the examiner, the condition of your room.
- No cell phones, notebooks, headphones, and Bluetooth devices are allowed during the examination.
- If anyone is there in the room, do not need to worry. They will tell them what to do.
Taking the Exam Itself
To take notes during the examination time, you need to have a dry-erase marker and a whiteboard. The proctors will allow you to take only one piece of paper and multiple papers are not allowed at all. Here are some details after your proctor launches your examination as mentioned below.
- It will look like the regular examination pattern of how the test center TOEFL or the official TOEFL practice tests look like.
- Headphones are not allowed so you do not need to wear headphones.
- Have a sound and video check if you face any problems with them.
TOEFL Home Edition Score Guide
Here is the score guide for the TOEFL Home Edition as mentioned below.
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TOEFL Home Edition Score Guide |
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|---|---|---|---|
| Section | Total score | No. of questions | TOEFL iBT Home Edition performance level |
| Reading | 30 | 30-40 |
Advanced: 24-30 High-Intermediate: 18-23 Low-Intermediate: 4-17 Below Low-Intermediate: 0-3 |
| Listening | 30 | 28-39 |
Advanced: 22-30 High-Intermediate: 17-21 Low-Intermediate: 9-16 Below Low-Intermediate: 0-8 |
| Speaking | 30 | 4 |
Advanced: 25-30 High-Intermediate: 20-24 Low-Intermediate: 16-19 Basic: 10-15 Below basic: 0-9 |
| Writing | 30 | 2 |
Advanced: 24-30 High-Intermediate: 17-23 Low-Intermediate: 13-16 Basic: 7-12 Below basic: 0-6 |
Equipment Requirement
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Computer | Desktop or laptop computer |
| PC: Windows® operating system, versions 10 or 8 | |
| MAC®: Mac OS X® 10.5 or higher (10.13 High Sierra is recommended) | |
| Chrome™ or Firefox® browser | |
| Browser | Download and install the ETS Secure Test Browser on the computer you’ll use to test |
| Run the ProctorU® Equipment Check from the computer you’ll use to test | |
| Speaker | Use an internal or external speaker to hear the proctor |
| Headsets or earphones aren’t allowed | |
| Microphone | Use an internal or external microphone that isn’t part of a headset to communicate with the proctor |
| Camera | Can be a built-in camera in the computer or a separate webcam |
| Camera must be able to be moved to show the proctor a 360-degree view of the room, including your tabletop surface |
Environment and Testing Space Requirement
| Item | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Privacy | – You must be alone in a room with no one else entering during the test. -You can’t take the test in a public space such as a park, internet cafe, or restaurant. – You must close all doors in the room before beginning the test. |
| Tabletop and Seating | – Your computer and keyboard must be on a desk or other tabletop surface. – Position your table and chair so the door to the room will be visible to the proctor. – The tabletop and surrounding area must be clear of all items not approved for use during the test, including cell phones, cameras, notes, and study materials. – You must sit in a standard chair; you can’t sit or lie on a bed, couch, or overstuffed chair. – Food and drink aren’t allowed during the test. |
| Clothing and Appearance | – Your ears must remain visible throughout the test, not covered by hair, a hat, or other items. – Religious headwear is permitted if your ears remain visible during the test. – Dress appropriately for your test. – Avoid wearing items such as jewelry, tie clips, cuff links, ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands, and other hair accessories. |
| Note-Taking Materials | – You may not take notes on regular paper, for security purposes. – You may use 1 of the following to take notes: 1 small desktop whiteboard with erasable marker, no pencil or pen 1 sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector, with erasable marker – At the end of the test, you’ll need to show the proctor that all notes have been erased. |
What You May Expect on the Day of the TOEFL Home Edition Test
Here are some key points for candidates to remember on the day of the TOEFL Home Edition:
- Verify if there are any changes to the test date due to weather or technical issues by visiting the ETS website.
- Open your system at least 30 minutes before the test for check-in.
- Sit with the admit card and a valid ID.
- Paper and pencil are unnecessary since the TOEFL Home Edition is computer-based.
- Consider bringing water and snacks for the 10-minute break after the Reading and Listening sections.
- Ensure that microphones for the Speaking and Listening sections are functioning properly.
- Raise your hand if you need assistance from the proctor.
- Stay focused during the Speaking and Listening sections.
- Leaving the test module without permission is prohibited.
- Report or cancel any unofficial scores received for the Reading and Listening sections, if necessary.
- Check the official score date before leaving the test module.
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How to Take the TOEFL Home Edition – FAQs
How do I start my TOEFL test home edition?
You will only be allowed to test if you are able to fulfill all the requirements. Register via your ETS account (if eligible for disability accommodations, apply for these FIRST to get approval before booking a test). In your account go to “Register for a Test” and select the option “Home Edition”.
Is TOEFL Home Edition still accepted?
The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is the same TOEFL iBT test you would take at a test center, so scores can be accepted and used in the same way. Nearly all universities that use the TOEFL iBT test accept scores equally for the test center test and the Home Edition.
How to take notes TOEFL home edition?
For security purposes, you may not take notes on paper. You may use one of the following to take notes: one small desktop whiteboard with erasable marker, no pencil or pen. one sheet of paper inside a transparent sheet protector, with erasable marker.
Is TOEFL Home Edition cheaper?
The content of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is exactly the same as the TOEFL iBT taken at test centres. The price and score validity period are also the same as the TOEFL iBT. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when helping your students choose between the TOEFL IBT Home Edition and the regular TOEFL iBT.
How long is TOEFL Home Edition valid for?
Your scores are valid for 2 years, so you may want to download and print a PDF copy of your score report.
How many hours is TOEFL Home Edition?
TOEFL iBT is a three-hour computer-based test involving four sections: reading, listening and speaking. You generally use one primary skill for each section, with some questions or tasks requiring more than one skill- such as listening and writing.