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Zollege Team

Content Curator | Updated On - May 16, 2024

Highlights:

  • TOEFL exam validity is for 2 years.
  • The validity for TOEFL exam is calculated from the date of exam undertaken.
  • There is no limit for the number of attempts in TOEFL.
  • As per ETS, the TOEFL can be retaken after a gap of 7 days.

TOEFL Validity is for 24 months or 2 years as per ETS which is the exam conducting authority. The TOEFL score validity cannot be extended. If a candidate took the TOEFL exam on 4th January 2024 the TOEFL Exam validity will expire by 4th January 2026.

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Candidates can register for the TOEFL re-exam after 7 days from the previous exam. Previously, ETS had decided the number of gap days between the prior exam and re-exam to be 12, but now reduced it to 7 days. The TOEFL validity period cannot be extended, and the candidate will have to give a re-exam after the TOEFL expiration date. Candidate has to submit the same amount of application fees for a re-exam of TOEFL, i.e., INR 17,119. The new TOEFL exam pattern takes around 1 hour 56 minutes. TOEFL score range 0 to 120 and the section score range from 0 to 30. The expired TOEFL Scores cannot be accessed from the official website. The candidate's details are erased from the data after the validity period is over. 

Table Of Contents 

  1. Validity Period
  2. Retaking TOEFL
  3. FAQs

TOEFL Exam Validity Period

The TOEFL Validity time has been decided by ETS to be 2 years. Admissions to universities and applications to institutions can only be submitted with valid TOEFL scores. After the expiration of TOEFL marks Validity years, the scores are not acceptable for eligibility criteria. Following are a few TOEFL Validity important points that must be remembered:

  • The validity is counted from the TOEFL exam date and not from the date of the result.
  • After the expiration of TOEFL scores, candidates will have to go through a re-exam and then apply for admission applications.
  • TOEFL scores can not be renewed or extended.
  • There are different TOEFL result validity for different institutions. For instance, some institutions accept the validity of TOEFL scores at the time of application only. While other institutions count the validity for TOEFL score after the application and can ask for TOEFL scores until the admission is not confirmed.

TOEFL Validity Rules

TOEFL scores must be carefully planned to use before the end of the validity period. There are a few things that should be kept in mind for achieving a good TOEFL score within the valid period:

  • The validity of TOEFL varies from different institutions and universities. Candidates must check the TOEFL Validity criteria for the university one is applying for.
  • Carefully plan the retest time of TOEFL. The retest must cover the admission period of a particular university.
  • Candidates can register for TOEFL Retest as many times as preferred, keeping in mind the highest score of TOEFL is 120. Candidates who cannot afford to pay the retest fees, again and again, can attempt free TOEFL practice tests available online.

What happens After the TOEFL Score Validity Period Expires?

After the completion of TOEFL iBT validity, the scores become invalid. No matter how good a candidate scores in the TOEFL new pattern, but after the validity period is over, these scores are not acceptable. Following are a few that explain the aftermath of the expiration of the TOEFL exam score validity:

  • After the TOEFL scores expire, the details of this exam are removed from the official website.
  • TOEFL Certificate validity also expires with the TOEFL scores and this certificate is not considered.
  • Candidates can not check the TOEFL Scores from the ETS website after the expiration date.

Retaking TOEFL

There is no limit to the number of attempts for TOEFL. Retaking TOEFL is the only option after the TOEFL test validity period is over. However, candidates will have to pay full application fees for retaking the exam. As per ETS, the TOEFL can be retaken after a gap of 7 days. However, make sure to follow the updated TOEFL exam syllabus before reapplying in any particular year. The result of TOEFL is released within 6-7 days after the exam. The result of TOEFL is declared on the official website, but the candidates can print out the scorecard for the record. Each TOEFL re-exam has a validity of 2 years.

Plan for Valid TOEFL Scores

Before appearing for the exams, you must ensure that you meet the TOEFL exam eligibility. Within the validity period, you can plan wisely to use valid TOEFL scores for admissions. Following are a few steps candidates can follow to plan the usage of these scores:

  • Check the admission period of the university.
  • Check the TOEFL score eligibility criteria for the university.
  • If the TOEFL scores are invalid, apply for a retest.
  • Check the validity period up to the time of admission.

Why do TOEFL Scores Expire?

TOEFL is a test to check the level of English proficiency. Language evolves every year, and new vocabulary and rules are added to each language. TOEFL listening, reading, writing or speaking scores expire because:

  • A candidate might pass over the use of language and become non-proficient over time.
  • The same vocabulary becomes unsuitable and is considered simple.
  • The candidate needs to develop an updated knowledge of the language to survive in an English-speaking nation.
  • The validity ensures candidates update their language skills.

The TOEFL Validity is one of the most important eligibility requirements for all study-abroad universities. Candidates must ensure the score's validity seriously and track the validity period. The admission is granted based on valid scores. Retest can be taken in the case of expiration of the TOEFL Scores.

FAQs

Ques. How long a TOEFL score is valid?

Ans. TOEFL exam validity is for 2 years. The validity for TOEFL exam is calculated from the date of exam undertaken.

Ques. Is TOEFL harder than IELTS?

Ans. Compared to TOEFL, IELTS is relatively shorter. The reading section of IELTS is considered less complex than that of TOEFL.

Ques. Is 100 a good TOEFL score?

Ans. An average score of anywhere above 90 is considered good for the abroad universities. The top universities in the USA, UK, Australia accepts scores mostly in the range of 78-90.

Ques. How to plan for achieving valid TOEFL scores?

Ans. Before appearing for the exams, you must ensure that you meet the TOEFL exam eligibility. Within the validity period, you can plan wisely to use valid TOEFL scores for admissions.

Ques. How many times I can appear for TOEFL exam?

Ans. There is no limit to the number of attempts for TOEFL. Retaking TOEFL is the only option after the TOEFL test validity period is over. However, candidates will have to pay full application fees for retaking the exam.

Ques. What should I do if my TOEFL scores are expired?

Ans. After the expiration of TOEFL scores, you will have to go through a re-exam and then apply for admission applications. TOEFL scores can not be renewed or extended.

Ques. Why is TOEFL so expensive?

Ans. TOEFL is considered a little expensive because it takes a lot of time to develop and prepare a test like TOEFL. It requires extensive academic studies.

Ques. Can I self study for TOEFL?

Ans. Yes, you can. However, it is recommended to undertake coaching from any reputed training centers as TOEFL is a difficult exam to crack.

Ques. What is the highest score of TOEFL that is considered?

Ans. Candidates can register for TOEFL Retest as many times as preferred, keeping in mind the highest score of TOEFL is 120. Candidates who cannot afford to pay the retest fees, again and again, can attempt free TOEFL practice tests available online. 

Ques. What is the TOEFL score range?

Ans. TOEFL score range 0 to 120 and the section score range from 0 to 30. A score within this range is considered ideal for admissions.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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