How to Register for TOEFL 2026 – A Step-by-Step Guide

It’s late evening, January outside, and you’ve just realized that the application deadline for your dream program at University of Amsterdam is three months away – and you still don’t have a language certificate. You go to the ETS website, click “Register,” and… you find yourself in a labyrinth of forms, ID questions, and options that all look identical. Should you choose TOEFL iBT or Home Edition? Why isn’t your nearest city appearing on the list? How much does it even cost – $205, $245, or even more? Sound familiar?

TOEFL registration is a process that should take 20 minutes, but without a guide, it turns into an hour of Googling and nervously comparing options. The good news: ETS (Educational Testing Service), the organization behind TOEFL, has really simplified the process in recent years. Scores available in 72 hours, flexible dates several times a month, the option to take it from home. The bad news: for international students, there are a few pitfalls that the official ets.org website doesn’t explicitly mention, from passport issues to hidden fees for sending scores.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through every step of registration: from setting up an ETS account, choosing a test date and test center, to payment, TOEFL Home Edition, and sending scores to universities. All from the perspective of an international high school graduate planning to study abroad and needing a language certificate. If you’re looking for information about the exam itself, sections, strategies, or the new 2026 format, read our complete guide to the TOEFL 2026 exam. This article focuses solely on registration and logistics.

ETS Account – Step-by-Step Setup

All TOEFL registration takes place through ets.org/toefl. There is no other way: no educational agency, intermediary, or language school can register you on your behalf (though some pretend they can). You must do it yourself, online, through your ETS account.

Go to ets.org and click “Create Account” or “Sign In” if you already have an account (e.g., from a previous TOEFL, GRE, or other ETS exam). The system will ask for your basic personal information. The key rule – identical to SAT registration – is: enter your details exactly as they appear in your passport. Any discrepancy between the name on your ETS account and your identification document on test day will result in refusal of admission to the testing room. No discussion, no exceptions.

The form requires your first name, last name, date of birth, email address, phone number, residential address, and country. A few details to watch out for:

First and last name – without diacritical marks or non-ASCII characters. If your passport contains special characters (e.g., Polish: “ŁUKASZ WÓJCIK”; German: “ÜBER MÜLLER”; French: “FRANÇOIS”; Czech: “HÁČEK”), use the romanized version found in the MRZ zone at the bottom of your passport’s photo page (e.g., “LUKASZ WOJCIK”, “UBER MULLER”). This ASCII version is what the proctor will compare with your document. If you have a double first name in your passport, enter both.

Date of birth – ETS uses the MM/DD/YYYY (American) format. Do not confuse the day with the month: March 3rd is 03/03, but October 5th is 10/05, not 05/10. This is a common mistake that can block an account.

Email address – use a personal email (Gmail, Outlook), not a school one. ETS will send registration confirmations, reminders, scores, and invoices to this address. School accounts expire after graduation, and then you lose access to your score history.

Password – ETS requires a strong password (minimum 8 characters, uppercase and lowercase letters, a number, a special character). Write it down: you will log in multiple times: for registration, checking scores, sending score reports, and potentially rescheduling.

After completing the form, ETS will send you an email with an activation link. Click it (check spam if you don’t see the message) and your account is ready. The entire process takes 5–7 minutes.

Important note: If you have ever created an ETS account before, e.g., for GRE, TOEFL Practice Online, or even Praxis – do not create a new account. Log in to your existing one. ETS links scores from different exams to one profile, and duplicating accounts leads to problems with score attribution and unnecessary administrative complications.

After logging in, click “Register for a Test” and select TOEFL iBT. The system will guide you through the next steps: student profile (country, planned field of study), format selection (test center vs. Home Edition), date and location selection, photo upload, and payment. We will discuss each step in detail in the following sections.

Choosing a Test Date – When to Take the TOEFL?

This is one of TOEFL’s biggest advantages over other standardized tests: dates are extremely flexible. While the SAT is offered 7 times a year on strictly fixed dates, the TOEFL iBT is available several times a month: in some periods, even 4–5 times a month. In practice, this means you will almost always find a date that fits your schedule.

But “flexibility” doesn’t mean “register blindly.” Your TOEFL test date choice should stem from your application plan, and here international students make the most common mistake: they take the TOEFL too late. TOEFL scores are available within 72 hours of the exam, but sending an official score report to universities takes 4–6 business days. Add to that the time for the university to process it – and suddenly your “ideal” date a week before the deadline turns out to be too late.

Rule of thumb: take the TOEFL at least 3 weeks before your application deadline. This gives you a margin for potential delays in score delivery and – more importantly – a second attempt if you’re not satisfied with your score.

Here’s a strategy for choosing a date based on your plan:

Early Decision/Early Action Applications (deadline: November 1–15). Take the TOEFL no later than the first half of October. Optimally: September, with the option to retake in October. Scores from a TOEFL taken on October 10th will be available on October 13th – this gives you time to send score reports before the deadline.

Regular Decision Applications (deadline: January 1–15). Take it no later than mid-December. Better: November, with December as a safety net. Remember that in December, test centers may have limited availability due to holidays.

Applications to European universities (deadlines: February–June). You have more time, but don’t delay. Many universities in the Netherlands, the UK, or Scandinavia require a language certificate as part of the application. Take the TOEFL at least a month before the university deadline.

Important information: A TOEFL score is valid for 2 years from the test date. Don’t take it too early: if you take the TOEFL in January 2025 and apply for studies starting in September 2027, your score will expire before your studies begin. Optimally, take the TOEFL 6–12 months before your planned start of studies.

Another important rule: you can take the TOEFL multiple times, but no more than once every 3 days. In practice, this means if you take it on Monday and are disappointed with the result, the earliest you can retake it is Thursday. ETS also offers the MyBest Scores option – universities see the highest score from each section from different attempts (analogous to SAT superscoring). Not all universities accept MyBest Scores, but the list is growing.

Finding Your TOEFL Test Center

TOEFL iBT has one of the widest test center networks of any standardized exam: ETS operates in 165+ countries through authorized Prometric centers and ETS-authorized partners. Whether you’re in Mumbai, Tokyo, Berlin, São Paulo, or Warsaw, there is almost certainly a center within reasonable distance. Major metropolitan areas typically host multiple Prometric centers with several dates per month; smaller cities may have one center with limited dates.

How to find a center? After logging into your ETS account and clicking “Register,” the system will ask you to enter your country and city. A list of available centers with specific dates and times will be displayed. Each center has a unique ID: note it down, as it will be useful in case of any registration problems. You can also use the ETS test center search tool before creating an account to check what’s available in your region.

A few practical patterns that apply globally:

Capital cities and major economic hubs (London, Berlin, Mumbai, Beijing, Tokyo, Mexico City, Warsaw, etc.) almost always have the highest density of centers and dates – often several Prometric locations with multiple dates per month. If you live in or near one of these cities, you’ll have the most flexibility.

Mid-sized cities typically host one to two centers with stable but less frequent date offerings. Plan ahead – seats fill up faster here, especially during peak application season (September–December for US deadlines).

Smaller cities and regions may have only sporadic dates. If your preferred center doesn’t have open seats, you have two options: travel to the nearest larger city (often 1–3 hours away) or take the TOEFL Home Edition.

Country-specific availability examples (2025/2026):

• India: 50+ test centers across major cities (Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata).
• China: Centers in 30+ cities, but seats fill extremely quickly – register 2–3 months ahead.
• Germany: Centers in Berlin, Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Stuttgart, and other major cities.
• Japan: Centers in Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo.
• Poland: 7 cities (Warsaw, Krakow, Wroclaw, Poznan, Gdansk, Katowice, Lodz).
• United States: Hundreds of Prometric centers nationwide.
• Brazil: Centers in São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Brasília, Belo Horizonte, and others.

Pro tip: if no center near you offers a date that suits you, consider TOEFL Home Edition – you take it from home, on your own computer, under the supervision of a remote proctor. We discuss this in detail in a separate section below.

Fees and Costs – How Much Does TOEFL Cost?

Let’s be honest: the TOEFL is not a cheap exam. The fee varies by country, ranging from about $200 to $245 USD. In the United States, the price is $205; in South Korea, $235; in many European countries (including Germany, Poland, Czechia), it’s $245; some countries pay even more. ETS does not transparently explain the price differences, but they likely reflect logistical costs and local market conditions in each region. For comparison: the SAT costs $107, and IELTS Academic typically costs $230–$260 worldwide.

In addition to the basic fee, there are potential extra costs. Late registration (if you register less than 2 business days before the exam, and there are available seats) costs an additional $40. Rescheduling, if done at least 4 days before the exam, is $60. Each additional score send (beyond the 4 free ones) costs $20 per university.

Below you will find a full breakdown of costs in US dollars. Always check the exact price for your country on ets.org during registration, as it depends on your testing location.

How much will you realistically spend on the entire TOEFL process? If you pass on the first try and send scores to 4 universities for free: roughly $200–$245 USD, depending on your country. If you take it twice (which is quite common) and send scores to 8 universities, expect $200 + $200 + 4 × $20 = around $480, up to $570 in higher-priced regions. Add to that potential preparation materials and travel to the center, and the realistic total budget for TOEFL is $250–$650 USD.

Payment Methods

ETS accepts Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, and PayPal. Local bank transfers and country-specific payment systems (BLIK, UPI, Pix, etc.) are not supported – you must pay with an internationally enabled card or PayPal. If you don’t have your own card, ask a parent: they can use their card on your behalf. Make sure the card has international online transactions enabled (in some banks, this needs to be activated in the app). Your bank will typically charge a currency conversion fee (1–3%) when paying in USD, so the final amount in your local currency may be slightly higher than a simple exchange rate conversion.

TOEFL at Home – Home Edition

Since 2020, ETS has offered TOEFL iBT Home Edition – the option to take the exam from home, under the supervision of a remote proctor via camera and microphone. This is not a “lighter version” of TOEFL: the format, questions, duration, and scoring system are identical to those at a test center. A Home Edition score is accepted by the same universities as a test center score. The certificate doesn’t even indicate whether you took it at a center or from home.

When should you consider the Home Edition? Primarily when there are no available dates in your city, when travel to a test center is problematic (e.g., you live in a rural area far from any major city), or when you simply feel more comfortable taking the exam in your own environment. The Home Edition also has wider date availability: you can often take it 24/7, as proctors work in different time zones.

However, the Home Edition has its technical and logistical requirements that you cannot ignore:

Computer: Windows 10+ or macOS 10.14+, webcam, microphone, speaker (not headphones – built-in or external speaker). You don’t use Bluebook: for TOEFL Home Edition, you use the ETS Secure Test Browser, which you must download and install in advance.

Room: You must take the exam in a closed room, alone. The door must be closed. There can be nothing on your desk/table except the computer: no notes, books, phones, cups, food. The proctor will ask you to show the room with your camera (360° rotation) before the test begins. Mirror behind you? You must cover it. Second monitor? Disconnect it.

Internet connection: Stable, wired (Ethernet) is recommended, but Wi-Fi also works if it’s stable. Minimum speed: 1 Mbps download and upload. If the connection drops during the test, the proctor will try to reconnect you – but a long interruption in connection may result in the session being invalidated.

Identification document: Identical requirements as at a center – a valid passport. You will show it to the proctor via camera at the beginning of the session.

Behavior during the test: You cannot leave the room, talk, read questions aloud, look away from the screen for an extended period, or cover your mouth (the proctor must see your face). Any suspicious behavior may result in the test being terminated.

Home Edition is a great option for disciplined individuals who have the appropriate technical conditions. But if you live with noisy siblings, have unstable internet, or cannot ensure quiet for 2 hours – it’s better to choose a test center.

What to Bring to the Exam

Exam day. You’re standing in front of the Prometric center, it’s 8:30 AM. What do you need to have with you?

A valid passport, this is the only accepted identification document for international students taking the TOEFL. A national ID card, driver’s license, school ID – none of these are accepted (US citizens testing inside the US can use other government-issued ID, but international test-takers must bring a passport). The passport must be valid on the day of the exam. Check its expiration date now – getting a new passport in many countries takes several weeks.

Registration confirmation – an email or printout with your registration number and the center’s address. It’s not formally required (the proctor will find you by name and passport), but it’s good to have in case of any misunderstandings.

Nothing else. Literally. For the TOEFL iBT at a test center, you are not allowed to bring: a phone, a watch (even analog), a wallet, food, drinks, notes, pens, headphones, nothing. All personal belongings are left in a locker at the entrance. The center provides you with scratch paper (laminated whiteboards or regular paper) and something to write with; you receive them after logging in at your workstation.

A few practical tips:

• Arrive 30 minutes before the scheduled time. The check-in procedure (identity verification, photo, scanning) takes 15–20 minutes. Being late = no entry = loss of your $200–$245 fee.
• Dress in layers. Computer rooms can be cool (air conditioning). Bring a thin sweatshirt – you can take it off or put it on without leaving the room.
• Don’t drink too much coffee before the exam. A restroom break during the TOEFL is possible, but the clock doesn’t stop – you lose valuable time.

Sending Scores – Score Reports

The TOEFL score sending system is simpler than the SAT’s, but it has its nuances. During registration (or by 10:00 PM local time on the day before the exam), you can designate up to 4 universities to which ETS will send your scores for free. These are called “free score sends.” After this deadline, each additional send costs $20 per university.

An important difference compared to the SAT: for TOEFL, you don’t have to choose universities for free sends blindly. You have until the evening before the exam to decide. This gives you much more control: for example, you can register for the TOEFL, prepare for a month, and only on the evening before the test enter the universities once you know where you are applying.

After the exam, scores appear in your ETS account within 72 hours (previously it was 6–10 days: ETS has radically sped up the process). Official score reports to universities are sent automatically after scores are generated, if you designated universities during registration. Additional sends ordered after the exam usually arrive within 4–6 business days.

ScoreSelect – this is the equivalent of Score Choice from the SAT. It allows you to choose which TOEFL attempt you send. Options: send the score from the most recent attempt, send the score from a specific attempt (from the last 2 years), or send all scores. You make the decision when ordering the score report.

MyBest Scores, ETS automatically calculates your best score from each section from all attempts within the last 2 years. Example: you took the TOEFL three times: once you scored 28 in Reading, another time 27 in Listening, yet another 25 in Speaking, and 28 in Writing. MyBest Scores will show: Reading 28, Listening 27, Speaking 25, Writing 28 = 108. More and more universities are accepting MyBest Scores; check the policy of your specific university.

If you’re wondering what TOEFL score you need for studies in Europe, we have a separate article on that. And if you’re torn between TOEFL and IELTS – read our TOEFL vs IELTS comparison.

Prepare effectively for the TOEFL on our TOEFL app – the platform offers courses for all sections of the exam, with exercises adapted to the new 2026 format.

Summary – TOEFL Registration Step-by-Step

TOEFL registration is a process that – with proper preparation – will take you 20 minutes. You need a valid passport, a payment card, a photo, and an internet connection. You create an account on ets.org, choose the format (test center or Home Edition), date and location, designate universities for free score sends, pay, and you’re done.

Key things to remember: register at least 3 weeks before your application deadline (to have a margin for scores and a potential retake), enter data exactly as it appears in your passport (without diacritical marks or non-ASCII characters – use the romanized version from the MRZ zone), utilize the 4 free score sends (you can add universities until the evening before the exam), and consider the Home Edition if travel to a center is problematic.

The real work begins after registration: systematic preparation for the exam. The new TOEFL 2026 has changed task formats in each section: Reading, Speaking, Writing, and Listening. Read our guides for each section to know what to expect.

Next Steps

1. Create an ETS account – go to ets.org/toefl, provide passport details, and create a profile
2. Check university requirements – find out what TOEFL score you need for studies in Europe and whether the university accepts MyBest Scores
3. Choose a date – at least 3 weeks before the application deadline, with a buffer for a potential second attempt
4. Register and pay – $200–$245 USD depending on country, Visa/Mastercard or PayPal
5. Start preparing, on our TOEFL app you will find preparation courses for all TOEFL sections, and in our complete guide to TOEFL 2026, a step-by-step preparation strategy
6. Read about the new sections – the TOEFL 2026 format has changed significantly, and our guides to Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing will help you prepare
7. Check out the our SAT app platform – if you’re also planning for the SAT, on College Council App you’ll find adaptive practice tests and exercises

Good luck: and remember that TOEFL is an exam you can prepare for effectively and predictably. Consistency and systematic effort always beat raw talent. Always.