TOEFL Score Validity in 2025

We understand that preparing for the TOEFL exam amidst the application process is enough of a challenge! Now, if we tell you that the score you work so hard for actually has an expiry date? Yes, you heard that right!

Many students do not keep track of when their TOEFL score expires, and therefore miss deadlines. In this blog, we will clarify everything regarding TOEFL score validity, rules and regulations, expiration, and how to use your score while it is still valid.

To streamline this, let’s follow the journey of Riya, a student from India who wants to study data science in the USA, who will help you understand exactly how TOEFL validity works and impacts your application process.

How Long is the TOEFL Score Valid?

Your TOEFL score is valid for a period of two years from the date you took the exam, not from the date your results were released. During that time, you can use your score to apply for admissions to degree programs, non-degree programs, short-term programs, and for migration or work opportunities in English-speaking countries.

Now, Riya took her TOEFL test on March 30, 2024. According to ETS, her score will be valid for exactly two years from the test date. This means she can use her score until March 30, 2026, for university admissions, scholarships, or even job applications abroad.

But from March 31, 2026, her score becomes invalid, even if she scored a perfect 120. No university or immigration body will accept it after that date.

So you do realise how important it is to know how long your TOEFL Score is valid. Next, we will check where to find this expiry date.

How to Check TOEFL Score Expiration Date?

The easiest way to verify the validity of your TOEFL score is via your ETS account. After logging in, you can check your scores, download the PDF version, and confirm where it is valid until (2 years from your test date). This way, you will know until which date your scores can be used for admissions or migration purposes. If you ordered a paper copy, it will be mailed to you via:

Standard mail: 11-15 business days after your test date
Express shipping: 2-5 business days

After giving the test, Riya logs into her ETS account to check her results. She shares how it's always recommended to download your digital report and note the expiration date in your calendar. Don’t wait until the last moment to realise your score has expired.

On the ETS portal, she could access her

Section-wise scores
Score issue date
Score validity (2 years)

Expiration date

She also requests a paper copy of her TOEFL score report, which arrived in about 11 days. This helped her keep a hard copy for university applications.

Now that we have the score and know how long it lasts, what should we do next? APPLY!

How to Use TOEFL Scores Before They Expire?

So your TOEFL scores are good for two years from the date of your test. This is an important time frame to consider, as you can plan and use your scores efficiently. Riya knew that university applications can take months, so she used her TOEFL score strategically:

She aligned her test date with application deadlines (Fall 2025 intake).
She ordered score reports directly from ETS to her shortlisted universities.
She left room to retake the TOEFL in case she wants to improve her score.

This way, Riya avoided the nightmare of applying with an expired score, which would lead to rejection. Fret not! Here are other ways you can best manage your TOEFL scores before they expire:

1. Research and Plan Around University Deadlines

Know what the deadlines for applying to your universities of choice will be well in advance. Keep in mind that your TOEFL results are reported 4-8 days after your test date. Plan to take the exam with your university deadlines in mind.

2. Choose a Test Date Properly

Choose the date of your exam so that you have enough time to prepare and leave some room to retake the exam if necessary. Registration is open until two days before the exam, but make sure you register for the exam as early as possible to secure the best time slots.

3. Send Score Reports When You Are Ready

You can go on your ETS account and send an additional report to universities and/or institutions during your two years of validity. Keep in mind that some universities may have stricter policies, like requiring the score to still be valid at the start of the academic term.

4. If Necessary, Plan for Retakes

If you do not like the score you got or if your scores are closing to the two-year validity from the test date, plan to take the exam again in time to meet those deadlines. Once you reach the two-year validity date, you are not allowed to reverse scores, and you can't apply for extensions on your scores either.

TOEFL Score Validity Rules

As you set your plan to take the TOEFL exam, knowing the score validity regulations is equally important as preparing for the exam. Although ETS has a universal score validity of two years, each university or institution will have its own policy on how recent your test must have been taken. For example, some universities say your TOEFL score must still be valid during the time in which you submit your application, while others say it must still be valid at the commencement of your academic program.

Key Rules To Keep In Mind

Two-Year Validity: Your TOEFL scores are accepted for up to two years from the date of the exam. No extensions are given.
University-specific policies: Always check the TOEFL requirements for each school. Some may expire after submitting the admission application, if it has expired before enrollment commences (even if it was valid when applying).
Retake Flexibility: You can take the TOEFL several times to improve your test score (maximum 120). Plan a retake in a way that ensures your results align with the deadlines set by the university.
Cost-Effective Study: Rather than retaking the exam, utilise free TOEFL practice tests available online with their associated preparation resources to practice and improve your performance.

Why do TOEFL Scores Expire After Two Years?

TOEFL scores are valid for two years, and cannot be extended for any reason. After two years, your scores can no longer be used for official reporting to universities, immigration authorities, or employers.

The reason for this rule is simple: language proficiency is not permanent. Your English proficiency could improve, diminish, or completely change over time depending on your amount of practice or usage of the language in daily life. Limiting the validity period to two years allows ETS to more accurately evaluate your ability to communicate in academic and professional settings.

Retaking TOEFL Exam? Here’s what you need to know!

If you are not satisfied with your total TOEFL score, or you did not reach the minimum cut-off score needed for your university of choice, you can choose to retake the TOEFL exam. Here's what you should think about:

1. Number of times you can retake: The TOEFL iBT is available over 50 times in a calendar year, and you have the freedom to schedule a new test date in as little as 3 days after your original test date.

2. Retaking the whole test: The TOEFL does not allow candidates to retake just a section or sections of the exam. So, while you may be trying to improve your reading score for example, you will be required to retake the whole exam again, not just the reading section.

3. Score validity and reporting: Each score received from a test is valid for 2 years as with the original test. You also have the capability of sending multiple scores to universities from your ETS account. Different candidates will have their own preferences for sending their scores. Some candidates prefer to send "high" scores only to the university they are interested in, while others will use MyBest™ Scores.

MyBest™ Scores allow candidates to combine their best section scores from multiple test dates (accepted by many universities).

4. Fees: Each time a candidate retakes the test they will incur a registration fee. If you retake multiple times, the retesting fees can add up quickly. This is why it is important to be as prepared as possible before you schedule the test again.

5. Smart Retake Strategy: Review weaknesses and focus on target practice before you retake the test. Use free TOEFL practice tests, prep material, and study resources to avoid spending more money again. If you are close to deadlines, consider the timing of your retake to ensure your score gets to the universities in time; scores are typically released 4–8 days after the test.