TOEFL Score Validity- How Long is TOEFL Score Valid?

Are you planning to take the TOEFL and wondering how long your TOEFL score will remain valid? TOEFL score validity is for two years after the exam date. If you take the TOEFL exam on March 30, 2024, your TOEFL score will remain valid until March 30, 2026. You can download a PDF copy of your score report or send the additional score report within 2 years TOEFL validity report within this 2 year TOEFL validity period.

However, questions often arise regarding utilizing TOEFL scores if they are not used or if the candidate is dissatisfied with their marks. This article addresses such queries related to the validity of TOEFL scores.

You have several options for accessing and verifying your TOEFL scores. One method is to visit the official ETS website, where you can either check your scores online or download them. Another option is to receive a paper copy of your scores via regular mail or express shipping, with delivery times typically ranging from 11-15 business days for standard mail and 2-5 days for express shipping.

Regardless of the method you choose, it’s important to note that TOEFL scores remain valid for two years. During this period, you can log into your ETS account to verify the validity of your scores and send additional score reports to universities or institutions as needed.

As previously mentioned, TOEFL scores retain validity for two years for candidates. With a valid TOEFL score, individuals can gain admission to short-term, non-degree, and degree programs at colleges. Additionally, they can consider migration for employment opportunities in English-speaking countries.

It is important to note that the validity of a TOEFL score commences from the date the test was taken, not from the date the results are published.

If a candidate requests a paper result for the TOEFL test, it will be delivered within 11 days from the test date.

Given that the TOEFL exam is available 50 times annually, candidates have ample opportunities to sit for the test as needed. TOEFL allows for retakes if a candidate falls short of their desired institution’s minimum score requirement. Recently, the waiting period for a retake has been reduced from 12 days to just 3 days. However, it’s important to understand that each retake incurs a separate fee.

Additionally, candidates cannot retake specific sections of the TOEFL syllabus; the entire exam must be retaken. Furthermore, the validity of the test score for retakes remains consistent at two years.

If you fail to utilize your TOEFL score within the two-year validity period, it expires and loses its relevance for any future admission processes or purposes in the subsequent months or years.

Let’s revisit our previous example: if you took the TOEFL test on March 30, 2024, and due to unforeseen circumstances, you were unable to secure admission immediately after the test, you still retain the option to utilize the same score for admission until March 30, 2026. However, beyond that date, on March 31, 2026, the score becomes ineligible for admission purposes.

Once the validity period of your TOEFL score expires, you may wonder if you can still access it. Regrettably, access to TOEFL exam scores through the official website becomes unavailable after the two-year validity period.

However, you have the option to save TOEFL score reports in PDF format onto your personal drive or device memory. These PDF reports are accessible for viewing on the ETS website eight days after the test day.

Furthermore, to ensure lifelong access to your TOEFL score, you can request a paper score report and securely retain it. It’s essential to note that both the PDF format and paper report serve only for viewing purposes after the TOEFL score’s validity period lapses.

To effectively plan your TOEFL test-taking strategy, it’s crucial to consider the validity period of TOEFL scores set by each school you intend to apply to. These validity policies vary among institutions.

Once you’ve identified the validity period for your target schools, mark the timeframe for when you plan to take the TOEFL exam. It’s essential to ensure that your test date falls within the two-year validity window required by your chosen schools. However, keep in mind that taking the exam too early might exceed the validity deadlines for some institutions.

Given the opportunity to take the TOEFL multiple times, some candidates opt for repeated attempts to improve their confidence and aim for a high score, with the maximum achievable being 120. To save costs, you can explore options like practicing with free TOEFL practice tests.

Universities require candidates to maintain a current proficiency in English, which is why TOEFL scores are valid for two years. This ensures that candidates have retained their language skills and are still proficient in English when they apply for admission. Here’s how candidates can effectively utilize their TOEFL scores within this timeframe:

1. Check the admission deadlines for the universities you’re interested in.
2. Prepare accordingly for the exam.
3. Select a suitable TOEFL exam date and center from the official ETS website.
4. Keep in mind that results are typically available 4-8 days after the exam, so consider this timing alongside admission deadlines when registering.
5. Register for the exam when fully prepared, noting that registration is possible up to two days before the exam.
6. Some universities may have specific requirements regarding TOEFL score validity, so be sure to verify these.
7. When retaking the exam, ensure that you still meet admission deadlines.
8. It’s crucial for candidates to take TOEFL score validity seriously and apply with scores within the two-year timeframe. Beyond this period, even excellent TOEFL scores become obsolete. Therefore, candidates should plan and manage their time effectively to make the most of their TOEFL scores.

Conclusion

Understanding the validity of TOEFL scores is crucial for individuals planning to pursue higher education or employment opportunities in English-speaking countries. With a validity period of two years from the test date, TOEFL scores enable candidates to gain admission to various academic programs and facilitate migration for professional endeavors.

However, it’s essential to utilize the scores within this timeframe, as they become invalid thereafter. Ultimately, the TOEFL exam serves as a valuable tool for assessing English language proficiency and plays a significant role in shaping academic and professional pathways.

Also Read:

• Topics For TOEFL Speaking 2024: Sample Topics & Questions
• TOEFL 2024 Preparation Time: Check Month-wise Plan and Week-wise Plan
• TOEFL Result 2024: How to Check Scores, Validity & More
• TOEFL Exam Pattern 2024: Check Question Types & Scores
• TOEFL Exam 2024: Fees, Syllabus, Dates, Registration & More

How long is the validity of TOEFL scores?

TOEFL scores remain valid for a period of two years from the date of the test taken by the candidate.

What happens if I don’t use my TOEFL score within the validity period?

If TOEFL scores are not utilized within the two-year validity period, they expire and become irrelevant for future admission processes or purposes.

Can I access my TOEFL score after it expires?

Access to TOEFL scores through the official website becomes unavailable after the two-year validity period. However, candidates can save score reports in PDF format for future reference.

What should I do if my TOEFL score validity ends?

If the validity of TOEFL scores expires, candidates must retake the TOEFL test if they wish to utilize it for admission to higher education or employment opportunities.

Are there any rules regarding the validity of TOEFL scores?

Yes, TOEFL scores remain valid for two years across all test formats (IBT, PBT, and ITP). It is universally recognized by universities worldwide, although individual institutions may set their own admission criteria based on TOEFL scores. Additionally, TOEFL itself does not have a pass or fail status; it is the universities that evaluate candidates based on their scores when considering admissions.