How many universities can I choose to send TOEFL score reports to?

You can send your TOEFL report to any number of universities after the test, as long as you pay the applicable fee for additional reports.

How does a TOEFL score review affect scores already sent to universities?

You can’t request a score review if you have already requested your TOEFL scores to be sent to any university.

What if I miss the deadline to send free TOEFL scores before the test?

If you miss the pre-test deadline, you must pay the $25 fee per university to send your scores after the test.

Do I need to send my TOEFL scores to universities before I apply?

You do not always need to send your TOEFL scores before submitting your university application. However, sending your scores early helps universities review your application faster.

Do universities accept unofficial TOEFL scores?

No. Universities will only consider official score reports sent directly from ETS for admissions consideration.

How to Send TOEFL Scores to Universities: Step-by-Step Process

To study abroad, you need to send your TOEFL score report to the university’s admissions office before the application deadline. You can send your scores before or after taking the TOEFL exam.

This guide explains how to send TOEFL score reports to universities, including the process, score validity, delivery timelines, and additional fees.

Key Highlights:

You can send your TOEFL score to four universities for free if you select them before your TOEFL exam.
You can send additional TOEFL score reports for a fee of $25 (₹2,400) per university.
Universities receive your TOEFL scores electronically within 4-10 business days, while mailed score reports can take two to six weeks.
Your TOEFL scores remain valid for two years from your test date.

How to Send TOEFL Score Reports to Universities?

You can send your TOEFL score report to a university directly through your ETS account. Below, you'll find the exact steps, costs, and delivery timelines for sending TOEFL scores to universities before and after your test date.

Sending TOEFL Scores Before the Test

You can send your TOEFL scores to up to four universities at no extra cost, as this benefit is built into your TOEFL exam fee. You can change your selected universities anytime until 10 PM on the night before your exam.

Here’s how the process works:

Log in to your ETS account: Log in to your ETS account using the same credentials you created while registering for the TOEFL exam.
Go to the score recipient section: During registration, or anytime before the deadline, you'll see an option to add universities that should receive your scores.
Search for your university by name or institution code: Each university has a unique code in the ETS system, which you can find using the search function or the university’s admission page.
Select up to four universities: You can add, remove, or replace these choices until 10 PM (local test centre time) the day before your exam. Any further additions will require a paid score report.

Tip: To use your free TOEFL score reports strategically, pick universities where you're confident about applying, or universities with the earliest application deadlines.

Send TOEFL Scores After the Test

You can send additional TOEFL score reports to apply to more universities after your official TOEFL scores are released at a fee of $25 per application. You can view your official scores in your ETS account approximately 72 hours after your test date.

Steps to send additional TOEFL score reports to universities abroad:

Go to Order Score Reports: Log in to your ETS account using your registered credentials. Click on "Order Score Reports" from your account dashboard.
Select the test date: If you've taken the TOEFL more than once, you can choose which specific scores to share.
Add the university: Search using the university name or institution code, along with any required department code for specific graduate programmes. You must pay $25 (₹2,400) for each additional TOEFL score report, so review your list carefully.
Make the payment. Use internationally enabled credit/debit cards, PayPal, or e-checks to pay for the additional TOEFL score reports.

Note: If you've taken the TOEFL Home Edition, the score-sending process remains the same.

Cost of Sending TOEFL Scores to Universities

The cost of sending TOEFL scores depends on when and how many universities you choose. Your first four reports are free if you select them before taking the test. For any additional universities or for scores sent after the test, the fee is $25 per university.

Example: If you plan to apply to six universities, select the first four in advance before test day, and pay only $50 for the remaining two universities.

How Long Does It Take for Universities to Receive TOEFL Scores?

Most universities receive TOEFL scores electronically within 4-10 days.

Here's a breakdown of the official timelines based on the university's preferred delivery method:

Delivery Method	Processing Timeline	Mailing Timeline
ETS Data Manager	4-8 business days	Instant
Server feeds	8-10 days	Instant
Postal mail	10–12 business days	7-10 days in the US / 4-6 weeks for other locations

What is the TOEFL Score Validity?

Your TOEFL score remains valid for 2 years from your test date. Once this 2-year window closes, you'll need to retake the exam to apply to universities.

This TOEFL score validity period matters for two specific situations:

Gap year applicants: Your TOEFL scores from an earlier attempt remain valid for the admission cycle if they fall within the two-year validity window.
Late-stage applications: Some universities require your TOEFL score to remain valid not just at the time of application, but through your programme's start date. Always check this requirement directly with your target university, since policies may vary.

If your TOEFL scores are nearing expiry and you're still applying to programmes, retake the exam in advance to avoid last-minute complications.

What to do if the TOEFL Score Doesn't Reach the University on Time?

If your TOEFL score doesn't reach the university before the application deadline, you will get a grace period of 1-2 weeks to submit the missing score (confirm this directly with your target university, since policies may vary).

Here's what you should do if your TOEFL score hasn’t reached the university:

Raise an issue with ETS: Contact ETS India at 1-800-123-9418 the same day to enquire about the delay.
Email the admissions office directly: Share your ETS confirmation or order number as proof to show you have already sent your TOEFL score report.
Request a duplicate report if needed. If the original report seems lost in the mail, place a new order rather than waiting indefinitely.

What Are the Common Mistakes to Avoid While Sending TOEFL Scores?

A small error in your TOEFL score-sending process can delay your application review by weeks. Here are the mistakes that cause this most often:

Using wrong institution codes: Graduate programmes often process applications separately from central admissions offices, so an incorrect department code can delay your application review.
Waiting too long to send scores: Send TOEFL scores at least 3-4 weeks ahead of your university application deadline to account for any processing or mailing delays.
Forgetting to track score delivery: Regularly check your ETS account and university application portal to confirm that the university has received your TOEFL successfully.

From the Desk of Yocket

We’ve seen many students focus heavily on TOEFL preparation while overlooking the score reporting process itself. Prepare a list of your target universities and their institution codes in advance, and send scores to the top four universities before test day to avail the free benefit.

With Yocket Prep, you get personalised guidance at every step, from understanding score reports to shortlisting universities and managing applications. It will help you turn your study abroad plans into admits.