TOEFL Score Validity in 2025 - Exam Retake, Score Chart, And More

The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is one of the widely accepted tests used to measure the level of proficiency in the English language by foreign students. One important aspect of TOEFL scores is their validity period, which typically lasts for two years from the test date. This time frame ensures that the scores accurately reflect a candidate's current language skills, as proficiency can change over time. Institutions and organizations that require TOEFL scores, for example, universities or immigration authorities usually require current results. The results become obsolete after two years, at which time the candidate may be required to retake an exam if requirements for language proficiency are not currently met. Usually, ETS releases TOEFL iBT exam results within 4-8 days after taking the test. Candidates can check TOEFL scores on the ETS official website or on the official mobile App within the TOEFL score validity period.

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This Story also Contains

1. What is the TOEFL Validity period?
2. Why Does TOEFL Score Expire?
3. How Can You Retake the TOEFL Exam?
4. What Happens Once Score Validity for TOEFL is Expired?
5. TOEFL Score Chart

What is the TOEFL Validity period?

TOEFL exam validity period means the period after taking the exam when TOEFL scores remain valid. TOEFL validity period is 2 years. TOEFL validity in India also is only for a period of two years from TOEFL exam date. Moreover, there is no TOEFL validity period extension allowed by ETS in any case. Post the release of TOEFL scores, candidates can receive the TOEFL results within 4-8 days. The date of TOEFL results will be displayed to the candidates immediately after the completion of the examination. A candidate will also be notified via a registered email address when results are available. Applicants may send the score reports to universities abroad before the validity of the TOEFL exam expires.

Why Does TOEFL Score Expire?

TOEFL scores are valid for only two years because language proficiency keeps changing with time. The test is meant to reflect a candidate's present ability to understand and use English. In two years, someone's language skills may have improved or deteriorated or remained unchanged, and therefore, older scores would not accurately represent a candidate's current level. Expiring scores mean that institutions and employers get a true, current insight into the capability of an applicant so that, with that knowledge, they can make suitable judgments for their requirements.

How Can You Retake the TOEFL Exam?

ETS allows the applicants to retake the TOEFL test multiple times as it is conducted more than 50 times a year. Candidates who do not meet the minimum TOEFL cut-off score of their desired university have the option to retake the TOEFL exam as many times as they need. This also improves the chances of getting higher scores and increases the TOEFL score validity of newly obtained scores. However, ETS allows retake of the TOEFL examination only once in 3 days. That is, if a candidate has a test date, they are not allowed to register for another test date that is within the 3 days of the existing TOEFL appointment. Applicants have to pay separately every time they reapply for the TOEFL test. There is no provision to retake a particular section of the TOEFL exam.

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What Happens Once Score Validity for TOEFL is Expired?

Once a TOEFL score expires (after two years), it is no longer deemed valid by institutions or organizations that require it for admission, visa applications, or other purposes. This means that the score cannot be used to fulfill application requirements. If you need to demonstrate English proficiency after your TOEFL score has expired, you will generally need to retake the exam. Institutions or employers may request updated test scores to confirm that your language skills remain at the necessary level. It’s crucial to plan ahead, as retaking the TOEFL will require additional time and effort, particularly if you are facing tight deadlines for applications or other obligations.

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TOEFL Score Chart

The table demonstrates the TOEFL score chart for understanding the level of proficiency demonstrated by the TOEFL scores of each section.

Additional TOEFL Score Reports

Once the validity period of your TOEFL score has expired, you cannot get access to your TOEFL exam scores on the official website after the two-year validity period. However, you can download PDF format scores reports of TOEFL into your personal drive or device memory. These PDF reports are available for viewing on the website of ETS eight days after the test date.
Moreover, you can request a paper score report which will enable you to access the same for a lifetime and safely store it. Remember that both PDF reports and paper reports are strictly for viewing purposes once the validity of the TOEFL score expires.

Candidates may request additional TOEFL score reports to send them to more institutions they didn’t identify before taking the test with an INR 1,950 fee/recipient, within the TOEFL exam validity period. This can be done online through websites or the TOEFL mobile app. Candidates must carefully give correct information and complete the payment to receive additional TOEFL result reports.

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