TOEFL Test Cost 2026 October — Registration Fees, Rescheduling & Score Sending
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TOEFL iBT Registration Fee 2026
The TOEFL iBT registration fee ranges from $215 to $255 depending on your country and test center location. Test takers in the United States pay $235 as of 2026. This fee covers your test session at an authorized Prometric test center and includes four free score reports sent to institutions of your choice.
Registration fees vary by region because ETS sets country-specific pricing to account for local economic conditions. Before registering, always confirm the current fee on the official ETS website for your specific country, as prices can be updated annually.
To register, you need an ETS account, a valid passport, and a payment method. Registration opens up to six months before a test date and closes approximately three weeks before the test — unless you opt for late registration.
Late Registration Fee
If you register within 7 days of your test date, ETS charges an additional $40 late registration fee on top of the standard registration cost. That brings your total US registration cost to $275 for late sign-ups.
Late registration is available on a space-permitting basis — test centers fill up quickly, especially in high-demand markets. If you need a specific test date, always register as early as possible to avoid both the late fee and the risk of a sold-out session.
Score Sending Fees
Every TOEFL registration includes four free score reports that you designate on test day (or up to 10 days after your test). This is one of the most valuable perks of the TOEFL system — use all four wisely before test day.
Additional score reports beyond those four cost $20 per institution. If you are applying to many universities, costs can add up. Order all reports in a single batch when possible, since each $20 charge is per institution per order.
MyBest Scores are completely free. ETS automatically compiles your best section scores across all valid TOEFL iBT attempts in the past two years. Many universities now accept MyBest Scores, so this feature can effectively give you a stronger application without retaking the full test.
Score reinstatement — if you previously canceled your scores and want them restored — costs $20.
Rescheduling Fee
Need to change your test date? ETS charges $60 to reschedule if you do so more than 7 days before your test date. This is much cheaper than canceling and re-registering from scratch.
If you reschedule between 4 and 7 days before the test, a higher fee applies (check the ETS site for current amounts). Rescheduling is not available less than 4 days before your test — at that point your only option is cancellation.
The key takeaway: if your plans change, reschedule as early as possible to pay the minimum $60 fee and retain your registration.
Refund and Cancellation Policy
TOEFL refunds are limited and partial. If you cancel your registration at least 4 full days before your test date, ETS issues a refund of $80 — regardless of how much you originally paid. The remaining portion of your registration fee is non-refundable.
If you cancel within 4 days of the test date or simply do not show up, you receive no refund. Refund processing takes approximately 3 to 4 weeks and is returned to your original payment method.
This policy makes it especially important to be certain of your test date before registering, and to act quickly if you need to cancel.
Fee Waivers
ETS offers TOEFL fee waivers for eligible US-based test takers who demonstrate financial need. Waivers cover the registration fee and are typically distributed through high schools, community organizations, and ETS partner programs. If you are a US resident with financial need, contact your school counselor or check the ETS website for current waiver availability.
Fee waivers are not available in all countries, and supply is limited. Apply well in advance of your intended test date since waivers do not guarantee a test slot.
- ✓Register early — avoid the $40 late registration surcharge by signing up at least 2–3 weeks before your target date
- ✓Use all 4 free score reports on test day — research your target schools in advance so you can designate all four recipients immediately
- ✓Reschedule rather than cancel — a $60 reschedule fee beats forfeiting your full registration and paying again
- ✓Take advantage of MyBest Scores — if you have multiple scores, check which schools accept MyBest before spending $20 per additional report
- ✓Apply for a fee waiver — US test takers with financial need may qualify for a full fee waiver through ETS partner programs
- ✓Prepare thoroughly before your first attempt — using a free TOEFL practice test reduces the likelihood of a costly retake
- ✓Consider the Home Edition if test centers are expensive or far away — the cost is identical but you save on travel and accommodation
- ✓Order additional score reports in a single batch — you pay $20 per institution, so submit all orders at once rather than in multiple rounds
TOEFL vs IELTS vs Duolingo English Test — Cost Comparison
Choosing the right English proficiency test involves more than cost, but fees are a real factor worth comparing:
- TOEFL iBT: $215–$255 (US: $235) — widely accepted at universities worldwide, especially in North America
- IELTS Academic: approximately $245–$255 in the US — the preferred test for UK, Australian, and Canadian institutions
- Duolingo English Test: approximately $65 — the most affordable option, but not yet accepted by all institutions
On pure cost, Duolingo is significantly cheaper. However, acceptance is still not universal — many top universities and visa programs require TOEFL or IELTS. Always check each institution's accepted test list before choosing based on price alone.
If your target schools accept both TOEFL and IELTS, compare not just fees but test format, preparation resources, and score validity (TOEFL and IELTS scores are both valid for 2 years).
Whichever test you choose, preparation is your best investment. A well-prepared candidate who passes on the first attempt saves the most money overall. Start with a free TOEFL practice test to gauge your readiness before you register.
- +Industry-recognized credential boosts your resume
- +Higher earning potential (10-20% salary increase on average)
- +Demonstrates commitment to professional development
- +Opens doors to advanced career opportunities
- −Exam preparation requires significant time investment (4-8 weeks)
- −Certification fees can be $100-$400+
- −May require continuing education to maintain
- −Some employers may not require certification
Sample TOEFL Practice Questions
Try these questions from our free TOEFL practice tests. The correct answer and an explanation follow each question.
When a TOEFL Speaking task asks for an opinion (Task 1), which approach earns a higher score?
- A. Stating "I don't have a strong opinion on this" to avoid taking a controversial position
- B. Choosing a clear position and supporting it with two specific reasons and relevant details
- C. Presenting both sides equally without committing to one view
- D. Providing a general statement about the topic without offering personal reasons
Answer: B. Choosing a clear position and supporting it with two specific reasons and relevant details
For Task 1, raters expect a clear position supported by specific reasons and details. Refusing to state an opinion, presenting both sides without commitment, or speaking generally without personal examples all result in lower Topic Development scores—a core evaluation criterion.
Which score range is used for each of the four TOEFL iBT sections?
- A. 0–30
- B. 0–100
- C. 1–9
- D. 200–800
Answer: A. 0–30
Each of the four TOEFL iBT sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) is scored 0–30, for a total possible score of 120.
A student uses a well-organized TOEFL speaking response but makes several grammatical errors, including missing articles ("the," "a/an"). How are these errors likely to affect the score?
- A. Missing articles automatically result in a score of zero.
- B. Minor but frequent errors in function words like articles reduce the Language Use score but may not prevent a high overall score if the response is otherwise strong.
- C. Grammatical errors in articles are irrelevant to TOEFL Speaking scoring.
- D. Any grammatical error immediately results in the lowest possible score.
Answer: B. Minor but frequent errors in function words like articles reduce the Language Use score but may not prevent a high overall score if the response is otherwise strong.
TOEFL Speaking raters evaluate language use holistically. Minor systematic errors (like missing articles, which are common among speakers of article-less languages) lower the language use component but do not automatically ruin the score. Strong delivery and topic development can compensate for some language errors.
Which of the following speaking habits is most likely to HURT a TOEFL Speaking score?
- A. Using linking words like "therefore," "however," and "in addition"
- B. Starting responses with a clear statement of position or main idea
- C. Frequently repeating the same phrase (e.g., "it is very important") to fill time
- D. Using specific examples to support main points
Answer: C. Frequently repeating the same phrase (e.g., "it is very important") to fill time
Repetitive filler phrases ("it is very important," "I believe that") used to fill time signal a lack of development and may suggest the student is padding rather than elaborating. Raters penalize responses that circle back to the same point without adding new information.
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