ETS- which is the conducting body of TOEFL exams, has not laid down any TOEFL eligibility criteria for the students who are looking to take the TOEFL exam. Candidates who passed their 10+2 level of education from a well-recognized institution are most eligible to apply for the TOEFL exam. Candidates, who are looking for an English proficiency test after class 12 online, are eligible to apply for the TOEFL exam.
The TOEFL exam is an important requirement for university application for students who are looking to study abroad in an English-speaking country. Students have to register for the TOEFL exam after checking the availability of slots and also fulfilling eligibility criteria. Let us learn more.
Why take a TOEFL exam?
TOEFL is a globally recognized qualification that is accepted by over 10,000 institutions in 130 countries. Candidates are allowed to take this test multiple times and a TOEFL score is valid for two years.
TOEFL Eligibility: An Overview
Criteria | Details |
Age Limit | No age limit; anyone can take the TOEFL exam. |
Educational Qualification | Typically taken after completing high school or equivalent. |
Requirement for Students | – Mandatory for non-native English speakers.
– Required for admission to universities in major English-speaking countries (e.g., the U.S., Canada). |
Requirement for Professionals | – Mandatory for obtaining a visa in certain countries, particularly for work or residency. |
TOEFL Exam Eligibility Criteria
Firstly, the TOEFL test, inclusive of both TOEFL-IBT and TOEFL-PBT can be taken by anyone. Here is an overview of the TOEFL eligibility criteria:
- Proof of Education: You need to have passed 10+2 from any accredited Indian Board. If you are a college student, you need to have valid University certificates from any recognized university.
- Valid passport: Only candidates (regardless of age or purpose) with a valid passport are eligible to sit for this exam as identity proof during the exam.
Exemptions from TOEFL Prerequisites
The following international applicants will receive exemptions from TOEFL exam eligibility criteria:
- Non-native speakers who have diplomas or degrees from post-secondary institutions in English-speaking countries like the U.S, the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Non-native speakers who proof of completing a two-year course with English being the medium of instruction.
- Transfer students from U.S or Canadian institutions with well-assessed academic coursework.
- Non-native speakers who have valid TOEFL scores (within two years).
- Non-native speakers who completed at least two years of academic coursework at English-speaking institutions in English-speaking nations.
TOEFL Eligibility Score for Top 10 Universities
Rank | University | TOEFL iBT Minimum Score | TOEFL PBT Minimum Score |
#1 | Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) | 90+ | 577+ |
#2 | Imperial College London | 100+ | – |
#3 | University of Oxford | 100 – 110+ | – |
#4 | Harvard University | Not required | Not required |
#5 | University of Cambridge | 100 – 110+ | – |
#6 | Stanford University | 100 – 110+ | – |
#7 | University College London (UCL) | 92 – 109+ | – |
#8 | California Institute of Technology (caltech) | 100+ | – |
#9 | University of Pennsylvania | 100+ | 600+ |
#10 | University of California, Berkeley (UCB) | 80+ | – |
TOEFL Exam Eligibility Score
Skill Section | Score Range | Recommended Minimum for Universities |
Reading | 0–30 | 22–25 |
Listening | 0–30 | 22–25 |
Speaking | 0–30 | 20–25 |
Writing | 0–30 | 22–25 |
Overall Score | 0–120 | 80–100+ (Varies by institution) |
TOEFL Eligibility Documents Required
Document | Details |
Valid Photo ID | Government-issued IDs: Passport, Aadhar card |
Registration Confirmation | A hard copy of the proof of TOEFL registration. |
Academic Records (if required) | High school diploma or equivalent for verification purposes. |
Payment Proof | Receipt for TOEFL registration fee payment. |
Additional Documents (if applicable) | Authorization letter or accommodations request (for test-takers with disabilities). |
TOEFL Eligibility for Re-attempts
Criteria | Details |
Time Between Attempts | Minimum of 12 days between test dates. |
Number of Attempts Allowed | Unlimited; candidates can take the test as many times as desired. |
Score Selection | You can send the best score to institutions (Score Select feature available). |
Eligibility Criteria for TOEFL Home Edition
Criteria | Details |
Internet Requirements | Stable internet connection and a private, quiet environment. |
Technical Requirements | A computer with a camera, microphone, and ETS-approved browser (ProctorU extension required). |
Identification | Valid photo ID matching registration details. |
Testing Environment Requirements | No one else should be present; quiet room with no distractions or prohibited items. |
Exam Fee Structure of TOEFL Exams
The registration fee for taking TOEFL exams in India is 16900 INR. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the TOEFL fee structure:
TOEFL Fee | Amount |
Registration | 16900 INR |
Late registration | 3900 INR |
Rescheduling | 5900 INR |
Reinstatement of canceled scores | 1990 INR |
Additional score reports | 1950 INR |
Rescoring TOEFL IBT Writing or Speaking TOEFL Sections | 7900 INR |
Modes of payment are:
- Credit card (If you are registering online): Should be either Discover, VISA, American Express, Diners Club, JCB MasterCard
- Electronic check (e-checks): Drawn on any bank based in the U.S.
- Cheque: Should be payable to “ETS-TOEFL IBT”
- Money order
Note: Payment cannot be made in INR (Indian rupees).