About the TOEFL® PBT Test

The TOEFL® PBT test, administered in a paper-based format, is a key step in your journey to study in an English-speaking country.

Who Takes the TOEFL Test?

Each year nearly a million individuals take the TOEFL test to show their English language proficiency. Over 25 million people from all over the world have taken the TOEFL test since it was founded.

There are two formats for the TOEFL test. The format you take depends on where your test center is located. Most people take the TOEFL iBT® test, administered via the Internet. Test centers in locations where TOEFL iBT testing is not available administer the paper-based test.

Who Accepts TOEFL Scores?

More than 8,000 universities and colleges in over 130 countries accept TOEFL test scores. In addition, agencies and institutions rely on TOEFL scores as well:

• Immigration departments use them to issue residential and work visas.
• Medical and licensing agencies use them for professional certification purposes.
• Individuals use them to measure their progress in learning English.

See the TOEFL® Destinations Directory.

To learn more about how the TOEFL test can be your passport to study anywhere English is spoken, watch our new video, The TOEFL® Test: Your Passport to the World (Flash).

What Is the TOEFL PBT Test?

The TOEFL PBT Test is a paper-based test that measures your ability to use and understand English in a classroom setting at the college or university level. It accurately measures how well you can listen, read and write English while performing academic tasks.

What Is the TWE® Test?

The TWE test is a 30-minute writing test required of everyone who takes the TOEFL PBT test. You will be asked to write a short essay on one topic from your TWE test book to show your ability to:

• generate and organize ideas
• support ideas in writing with examples or evidence
• use standard written English formats

Where and When Can I Take the TOEFL PBT Test?

• The TOEFL PBT is offered six times a year.
• See a list of TOEFL PBT test centers and dates or check the online registration system for the latest information. Not all test centers are open for every test date.

What Does It Cost?

The cost of the TOEFL PBT test is US$160. For information on registration, fees, test dates, locations and test formats, select the test location first to be sure the paper-based test is the right one for you.

What Resources Are Available to Help Me Prepare for the Test?

ETS offers a variety of free preparation materials to help you get ready for the TOEFL test.

Get a Registration Bulletin Locally

Check with advising centers, test centers, libraries or your local ETS Preferred Network office.