Planning to study abroad? Then TOEFL exam registration is one of the first boxes you’ll need to tick—long before your university deadlines arrive.
The registration process of TOEFL has just 5-8 steps, but a small error—like a mismatched name or wrong test format—can lead to delays or rebooking. Knowing what to expect saves time, effort, and stress.
In this guide, you’ll find:
When to start your TOEFL registration (and how early is too early)
Current TOEFL exam fee in India and payment options
ID rules, account setup tips, and format selection
Fixes for common issues during booking or rescheduling
What happens after you register and how to access your admit card
Let’s take you through the full TOEFL registration process.
Things Indian Students Usually Miss During TOEFL Exam Registration
What’s Often Missed
Why It Matters
Ignoring score report section
You miss the chance to send scores to 4 universities for free
Not checking Home Edition system requirements
The test may not run properly on your device, leading to disqualification
Entering nickname or initials instead of full name
Mismatch with passport may block you from entering the exam hall
Registering with a personal email that’s rarely used
You may miss important ETS alerts or admit card links
Assuming you’ll get a slot anytime
Test centers fill quickly during peak months (Sep–Jan)
Skipping the test format comparison
You may choose the wrong format without realizing your university doesn't accept it
Quick Reminder: Always register using a valid passport, even if you’re taking the Home Edition from home. This is mandatory in India.
Steps to Register for TOEFL
The TOEFL exam registration process is fully online and takes about 20–30 minutes if you have your documents and payment ready. Whether you're choosing the TOEFL iBT at a test center or the Home Edition, the steps remain mostly the same.
If you're applying to universities abroad in 2025–2026, it's best to register for TOEFL at least 6–8 months before your university deadline to allow enough time for prep, results, and any retakes.
Step-by-Step TOEFL Exam Registration Process (India)
To book your TOEFL exam, you must register through the official ETS platform. Whether you're taking the test at a center or from home, registration always starts with your ETS account.
Official TOEFL Registration Website
You can register at: www.ets.org/toefl Create an ETS account and follow the instructions for your chosen format.
TOEFL Exam Registration by Phone (India)
Call 1-800-123-9418 (available 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. IST, 7 days a week) Regular phone registration closes 7 days before the test date Late registration closes at 5 p.m. (local time) the day before your test (extra fee applies)
Registration Options Based on Format
Test Format
Where to Register
Notes
TOEFL iBT (test center)
ETS website or phone
Most popular format in India
TOEFL iBT Home Edition
ETS website only
Must meet system requirements and complete ProctorU checks
TOEFL Paper Edition
Not currently offered in India
Available only in select countries
Make sure the name you enter matches your passport exactly. Any mismatch can prevent you from entering the test center.
TOEFL Exam Fee Details – Wondering why it costs that much? Here's the full fee breakdown.
What You Need Before Starting TOEFL Registration
Before you begin, make sure you have everything ready to complete the process in one go. Most issues during TOEFL exam registration happen due to incomplete or incorrect information.
Checklist: What to Keep Ready
Requirement
Why It’s Important
Valid passport
This is the only accepted ID in India. Name must match exactly.
Email and phone number
Needed to receive updates, score info, and your admission ticket
Preferred test format
Choose between iBT (test center) or Home Edition (system check required)
Test date and location
Slots fill quickly—especially between September and January
Payment method
You’ll need an international debit/credit card or PayPal
For Home Edition test-takers: Run the ETS Secure Test Browser in advance. You’ll also need a quiet room, webcam, and stable internet.
Registration Fee for TOEFL Exam 2025
Before completing your TOEFL exam registration, it’s important to know the full cost, payment options, and what to do if something goes wrong during the transaction. For Indian students, the TOEFL iBT exam costs USD 205 (approx. ₹17,000, subject to exchange rates).
Accepted Payment Methods
Registration Mode
Accepted Payment Methods
ETS Account (online)
International credit/debit card, PayPal, Alipay, E-check (US-based)
Phone Registration
Credit/debit card, US-based electronic check
Mail (paper form)
Credit/debit card (details entered on the form)
Note: Indian test-takers must use international payment-enabled cards (Visa/Mastercard). UPI and Indian net banking are not accepted.
TOEFL Exam Fees for India – 2025
Item
Fee (USD)
Approx. in INR
TOEFL iBT Exam (India)
$205
₹17,000
Express registration (within 7 days of test)
$49
₹4,000
Rescheduling
$69
₹5,700
Score reinstatement (if canceled)
$20
₹1,600
Additional score reports (per university)
$29
₹2,400
Speaking or Writing section score review
$80
₹6,600
Speaking + Writing section score review (combo)
$160
₹13,200
Returned payment (if transaction fails)
$30
₹2,500
Express scoring
$129
₹10,700
What If Your Payment Fails?
Double-check if your card is internationally enabled
Ensure sufficient funds and verify card details
Retry the payment after a few minutes or switch to another method
If the issue continues, contact TOEFLSupport4India@ets.org or call 1-800-123-9418
Save a screenshot or download the payment confirmation page—it’s required for disputes or errors.
TOEFL Registration for Home Edition vs Test Center
ETS offers two ways to take the TOEFL exam: at a test center or from home. You’ll need to choose the format during TOEFL exam registration, and the process slightly differs based on your choice.
Home Edition vs Test Center – What’s Different?
Step
Test Center (TOEFL iBT)
Home Edition
Availability in India
Available in major cities year-round
Available 24/7 – choose from open time slots
Device/System Check
Not required
Must pass ETS browser check + ProctorU system check
Testing Environment
Quiet, official test center
Private room with no interruptions
Monitoring
In-person invigilator
Live remote proctor via webcam
Rescheduling & Support
Through ETS account or phone
ETS + ProctorU (for technical issues)
Internet Requirement
Not needed
Must have stable, fast internet (wired preferred)
Things to Know Before Choosing Home Edition
Only choose this if you have a quiet room, desktop/laptop, webcam, and reliable internet
You must download ETS’s Secure Test Browser and pass a ProctorU tech check
Make sure your university accepts TOEFL Home Edition—some may prefer in-center results
Home Edition is a good option if you live far from a test center or need more flexible scheduling—but it comes with stricter technical requirements.
How to Reschedule or Cancel Your TOEFL Test
Sometimes plans change—whether due to travel, health, or just needing more prep time. ETS allows you to reschedule or cancel your TOEFL exam, but you must do it at least 4 full days before your test date to avoid losing your fee.
You can’t cancel or reschedule by email, regular mail, or directly at the test center. The only valid way to do it is through your ETS account at www.ets.org/mytoefl.
TOEFL Rescheduling & Cancellation Policy
Action
Deadline
Refund / Fee
Reschedule your test
At least 4 full days before test date
₹5,700 (approx. $69) rescheduling fee applies
Cancel your test
At least 4 full days before test date
50% refund of test fee
Missed the deadline
Less than 4 days before test
No refund; full fee forfeited
No-show on test day
Did not cancel and didn’t appear
No refund; must register and pay again
Example: If your test is on Saturday, you must cancel or reschedule by Tuesday (same time zone).
Refund Process
You’ll get 50% of the test fee back if you cancel within the deadline
Refund is processed to the original payment method (credit card, PayPal, etc.)
No cash refunds are given
Refunds are not applicable if:
You didn’t follow proper registration instructions
You failed to show valid ID at the test center
Tip: Always double-check your ID, test format, and date before the 4-day mark. You can log in anytime to change your booking from your ETS dashboard.
Once your TOEFL exam registration is complete, your actual test prep begins. This phase is just as important as registering—because the right start saves you from test-day confusion and missed deadlines.
Post-Registration Checklist
Action
What to Do
Check your confirmation
Log into your ETS account and download your admission ticket
Set up a test-day folder
Keep your passport, ETS emails, and printout (for test center) together
System check (Home Edition)
Install ETS Secure Test Browser and complete the ProctorU equipment check
Mark important dates
Add your test date, score release window, and rescheduling deadline to calendar
Plan your study schedule
Build a week-wise prep plan using official resources and mocks
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From TOEFL exam registration to understanding which test fits your study plans, you’ll find clear, step-by-step guides and expert-backed prep tips. We cover registration help, score requirements, test format comparisons, and more—all designed for Indian students.
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