TOEFL exam dates and the two ways to sit it
TOEFL iBT is offered two ways: at an authorised test centre, and as the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, taken on your own computer with a live human proctor watching. Both give the same test and the same score report, and the Home Edition is what makes TOEFL unusually easy to schedule.
Test centre or Home Edition
| Test centre | Home Edition | |
|---|---|---|
| Where | An authorised ETS centre | Your own room, on your own computer |
| Supervision | Centre staff | A live human proctor, online |
| The test | Identical | Identical |
| Best when | Your internet or room is not reliable | Dates near you are full, or travel is the obstacle |
The Home Edition has real requirements — a permitted device, an acceptable room, a working camera and microphone, and an ID check on camera. Read the equipment and environment rules before you book it, not after.
How far ahead to book
- Find the requirement on the programme's own page, including any section minimums.
- Allow three days for scores to appear in your ETS account.
- Add a day for the PDF report, which is downloadable one day after the electronic scores.
- Leave room for a retake if a section is likely to be tight.
- Avoid express registration — booking within seven days of the date costs an extra US$49.
Booking three to four weeks out avoids the express fee and still leaves room to sit again if you need to.
If you need a paper report posted
- A paper copy is mailed 11 to 15 days after the test date if you request one, and local postal times vary.
- Express score reports are delivered 2 to 5 business days after your scores are confirmed.
Most universities take the electronic report, so check before paying for either.
TOEFL iBT exam dates — FAQs
4 questions
Frequently. ETS offers TOEFL iBT at authorised test centres and as the Home Edition, so dates are available regularly rather than on a fixed annual calendar.
Yes. The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is the same test taken on your own computer with a live human proctor, and it produces the same score report.
Your scores are available in your ETS account three days after the test date, and the PDF report can be downloaded one day after that.
Three to four weeks. Registering within seven days of the test date triggers a US$49 express registration fee.
Sources
Checked on 25 September 2026 against the official pages below. Fees and formats change — the official page is always the final word.
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