TOEFL iBT exam-day guide
TOEFL iBT · Prepare for the day ahead.
Your checklist
Valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID
Bring the exact ID type your test center requires. In many locations outside the U.S., a passport is the only accepted form; U.S. test centers typically accept a driver's license or passport. Your ID must be the original (no photocopies) and the name must match your registration exactly.
Appointment confirmation / registration number
Print or save your confirmation with the test center address, reporting time, and registration number so staff can locate your record quickly.
Directions and travel plan to the test center
Confirm the address and entrance in advance, and plan to arrive roughly 30 minutes before your start time. Late arrivals may be refused entry without a refund.
A light snack and water for after the test
The current shortened TOEFL iBT has no scheduled break, so you will not be able to eat during the session. Plan to refuel when you finish.
Layered clothing
Test room temperatures vary; dress in layers so you can stay comfortable without needing to leave your seat.
Nothing extra at your workstation
Phones, smartwatches, notes, books, and study materials must be switched off and stored as instructed. The test center supplies scratch paper or an erasable sheet; do not bring your own paper.
Home Edition: computer and equipment check completed
If testing at home, run the ETS equipment/ProctorU-style system check days ahead: working webcam, microphone, speakers (no headset), and a stable wired or strong Wi-Fi connection. Download install files before test day.
Home Edition: approved note-taking materials only
Paper notes are typically not allowed in the at-home version; you normally must use a small whiteboard or a transparent sheet protector with an erasable marker (or the approved equivalent). Confirm the exact allowed items with ETS before test day.
Home Edition: private, cleared room
Remove all materials from your desk and walls within camera view, tell household members not to enter, and be ready to do a 360-degree room scan and show your desk surface during check-in.
A realistic pacing plan
Know the section order and rough time per section so you do not over-invest in early questions: Reading, Listening, Speaking, then Writing.
Confirmation of score-report recipients (if you plan to send scores)
Decide which institutions to designate and confirm the current number of free reports and the deadline to select them with ETS.
Backup plan if something fails
For home testing, keep a phone nearby only for contacting support if the session drops (proctors will instruct you); for test centers, know the center's phone number and ETS contact options.
Plan the day
Reconfirm your appointment date, reporting time, and test center address (or home-test start time). Check that your ID is valid and its spelling matches your registration exactly; if it does not, contact ETS immediately rather than waiting for test day.
Run one full-length timed practice test under realistic conditions, ideally at the same time of day as your real appointment, so your stamina and body clock are calibrated.
Home Edition only: complete the equipment and browser check, install required software, and test your microphone by recording and playing back a spoken response.
Shift toward consolidation: review your Speaking and Writing templates, common transition phrases, and a short list of your own recurring errors. Avoid starting brand-new material this late.
Pack your ID and confirmation, lay out clothing, and finalize your travel plan (or clear and clean your testing room for the at-home version). Tell anyone sharing your home about your test window.
Do light review only, then stop. Eat a normal meal, avoid alcohol and heavy caffeine late in the day, and aim for a full night's sleep; fatigue costs more points than one extra practice set gains.
Eat a proper meal and hydrate, since there is no scheduled break. Use the restroom before check-in. Arrive at the test center about 30 minutes early, or log in for the at-home session at the time stated in your confirmation.
Turn off your phone and any wearable device and store it as directed; keep only your ID and confirmation accessible. At home, close all other applications and put away your phone except as the proctor instructs.
Work steadily and watch the on-screen clock. If a passage is unusually hard, keep moving rather than burning minutes on one question; answer every question since there is no penalty for guessing.
Audio plays once, so take brief keyword notes on the supplied note-taking material and answer as you go. Do not try to write full sentences.
Use prep time to jot a short outline, then speak at a steady, natural pace. Fluency and intelligible delivery matter more than an accent-free pronunciation; if you stumble, keep going rather than restarting.
Budget your time: roughly 20 minutes for the integrated task and about 10 minutes for the academic-discussion task, including a minute or two to check for obvious errors. Leave nothing blank.
Note that unofficial Reading and Listening scores usually appear at the end of the session; full official scores are typically posted online within about 4 to 8 days. Scores remain valid for two years.
Rules to check
Bring the exact ID type accepted at your location, and make sure the name on it matches your registration character for character. If your ID is expired, unavailable, or the names differ, you may be denied entry with no refund; contact ETS before test day.
Only approved items belong at your workstation. Phones, smartwatches, notes, books, and outside materials must be powered off and stored as instructed; accessing them during the test is treated as misconduct.
Follow the proctor's instructions at all times, including seating, note-taking materials, and any room or desk inspection. At home, stay in camera view, keep the door closed, and do not let anyone else enter the room.
There is currently no scheduled break in the shortened TOEFL iBT, so plan hydration and food around the session. Confirm the break policy for your specific appointment format with ETS before test day.
Scores are valid for two years and are reported officially online, generally within about 4 to 8 days; unofficial Reading and Listening scores are usually shown at the end of the test but are not final.
Retakes are permitted, but a minimum waiting period applies between test dates. Confirm the current interval and any fee implications with ETS when you register.
Test-security violations, impersonation, or unauthorized materials can lead to score cancellation and a ban from future testing, without a refund. If something goes wrong on test day, report it to the proctor or ETS immediately rather than after the fact.