TOEFL Quick Guide: How to Register, Test Fees, and What to Know Before Test Day

“If you’re studying abroad, you have to take the TOEFL!”

Used to think the TOEFL was only for studying in the US? No~No~No, throw that old idea out!

The TOEFL is basically recognized worldwide now! Since the new TOEFL format launched in July 2023, the whole test takes less than 2 hours, so it no longer tests your stamina as much as your English. That’s exactly why I highly recommend the TOEFL as your English proficiency test for studying abroad!

If you’re not very familiar with the TOEFL yet, I think it’s just as important to understand the registration process as it is to understand the test itself. Before you start preparing, take some time to learn how registration works. It will give you a clearer picture of the whole test.

1. What is the TOEFL?

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English proficiency test run by ETS (Educational Testing Service) in the US. It is mainly used for applying to study or take study-tour programs in countries where English is the language of instruction. More than 13,000 schools and academic institutions in over 160 countries accept the TOEFL iBT, including the US, Canada, the UK and Australia.

The TOEFL mainly assesses four areas of English ability, reading, listening, speaking and writing, to make sure test takers have enough language skills for an academic environment. The total score is 120. In more than 200 countries, test takers can take it online on a computer.

2. How do you register for the TOEFL?

There are three ways to register for the TOEFL: online, by phone and by mail

Online: On the registration website, choose the test date and test center you want and follow the instructions. Remember to register at least seven days before the test. You can pay online by credit card or Paypal.

Since most people register directly on the website, the rest of this post only walks through online registration.

Registration link: https://v2.ereg.ets.org/ereg/public/jump?_p=TEL

A. Create an account

If you already have a Test Ready account, you can log in with the same account.

B. Filter by location and choose the test date, test center and time

B-1 Type the city and country where you want to take the test into the search box to filter

B-2 Choose your test date on the calendar

B-3 Choose your test center and test time

C. Enter your ID number

D. Fill in your details

D-1 Name and date of birth as shown on your passport

D-2 Home address

D-3 Phone number, native language, nationality

D-4 Whether to join the TOEFL Search Service

D-5 Background questions: the country you want to study in, the degree level, your major, when you plan to start, and so on

D-6 Free score reports

Each time you register for the TOEFL, you can send your scores to up to 4 schools for free. You have to list the schools when you register; you can’t add them after the test. If you’ve already settled on your schools and feel confident about your score, you can use this service.

D-7 Additional official score reports

Most US school applications require you to Request official score report, meaning ETS sends your scores directly to the school; only then does it count as an official score. Each additional score report costs US$20 per school.

D-8 Buy extra ETS prep materials

Such as books or online practice tests. If you need them, add them to your cart and check out together; if not, just go to the next step.

D-9 Payment

After double-checking your registration details, go to the payment page. You can pay by credit card or Paypal. If you have a discount code, enter it here before submitting.

2. TOEFL test fees

➜ Discount codes: You can add ETS’s official LINE account, which sends out limited-time discount codes of different amounts from time to time. Before registering, it’s worth checking whether there’s a new code you can use.

TOEFL TAIWAN official LINE account: https://lin.ee/lKPNBxi, or search for @toefl.tw in LINE official accounts.

3. Before test day

➜ Registration Confirmation: Print it out, double-check the test time and location, and know how you’ll get there.

➜ Valid passport: The TOEFL only accepts a passport for ID. National ID cards, health insurance cards and the like won’t work. So check, and check again, that your passport hasn’t expired and that you’ve brought it.

➜ Water: Because the test room is full of computers, water and food are not allowed. You can only drink water in the waiting area.

➜ Watches: Only analog mechanical watches are allowed. Digital watches and smartwatches may not be brought into the test room.

➜ Earplugs: If you’re worried that other test takers will type too loudly, you can bring your own earplugs, but ask the proctor first whether they’re allowed in the test room.

➜ Time: Arrive at the test center at least 30 minutes early on test day.

The test information above is just my own summary. If anything changes, the official announcements take precedence.