TOEFL test dates and registration deadlines
There is no national date list to memorise. What matters are the three deadlines around whichever appointment you book — and working backwards from your application deadline.
The TOEFL iBT is offered year-round rather than on a fixed annual calendar — you pick from the appointments available for your location, at a test centre or at home. Regular online registration closes 7 full days before the test date; after that an express fee applies and express registration closes 2 days before. You can reschedule or cancel up to 4 full days before.
How TOEFL dates actually work
Unlike the SAT or the ACT, the TOEFL has no small set of national test days. Appointments run throughout the year, and what is available depends on your location and which delivery option you choose. You see the real list when you sign in to your ETS account and search your area — which is why any page publishing a fixed "2026 TOEFL date list" is guessing.
| Option | Where | Worth knowing |
|---|---|---|
| Test centre | An authorised centre near you | Availability depends on local centres and can be tight in application season. |
| Home Edition | Your own room, remotely proctored | Your computer and testing room have to meet ETS’s requirements — check them before you book, not after. |
The three deadlines that matter
| Deadline | When | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Regular registration closes | 7 full days before | After this, registering costs an extra US$49. |
| Express registration closes | 2 days before | The last moment you can register at all. |
| Reschedule or cancel | 4 full days before | Later than this, your test fee is not refunded. |
For a Saturday test date: the last day you can register is Thursday (the express window), and you must reschedule or cancel by Tuesday (the 4-full-day deadline). Count full days, not calendar squares — the test day itself does not count.
Choosing a date: work backwards
- Start from the application deadlineNot the date you want to test — the date the score has to be with the institution.
- Subtract score posting: about 3 daysTOEFL iBT scores are posted to your ETS account roughly three days after the test. That is much faster than the retired format, so recent advice built around a week or more is over-cautious.
- Leave room for one retakeYou can take the test as often as you like, but not more than once in any 3-day period — and you cannot hold two appointments within 3 days of each other. A realistic retake buffer is two to three weeks, not two days.
- Book at least 8 days aheadThat keeps you inside regular registration and saves the US$49 express fee.
Retaking the test
- There is no limit on how many times you can take the TOEFL.
- But you may not take it more than once in a 3-day period — and that applies even if you cancelled your scores from the earlier attempt.
- You also cannot register for a date that falls within 3 days of an appointment you already hold.
- Scores stay valid for 2 years from the test date, so an earlier attempt keeps counting while you improve.
Since your total band is the average of four sections, a retake is worth booking only once you have actually moved your weakest section — repeating the same profile reproduces the same average.
Before you book
- Register the name on your ETS account exactly as it appears on the ID you will present. A mismatch on test day is not something the centre can wave through.
- Check ID requirements for your location and citizenship — they differ.
- For the Home Edition, verify your computer and room against ETS’s requirements first.
- Nominate your four free score recipients before test day; adding them later costs US$29 each.
Practise the 2026 format, not the old one
Every task type in the current test, a full explanation on every question, and a band estimate that shows where your next half band comes from.
Frequently asked questions
How often is the TOEFL offered?
Year-round rather than on a fixed national calendar. Appointments are available throughout the year at authorised test centres and through the Home Edition; the actual dates open to you depend on your location and appear when you search in your ETS account.
What is the TOEFL registration deadline?
Regular online registration closes 7 full days before the test date. After that you can still register during the express window — for an extra US$49 — until 2 days before the test.
How late can I register for the TOEFL?
Two days before the test date. For a Saturday test, the last day to register is Thursday.
Can I change my TOEFL test date?
Yes, for US$69, as long as you reschedule at least 4 full days before your test date. Miss that deadline and your fee is forfeited.
How soon can I retake the TOEFL?
After 3 days. There is no limit on total attempts, but you cannot take the test more than once in any 3-day period, and you cannot hold two appointments within 3 days of each other.
How long until I get my TOEFL scores?
Scores are posted to your ETS account approximately 3 days after you take the test, and you get an email when they are up.
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By PrepScore · Last reviewed · Editorial standards