Taking the TOEFL exam is an important step for those wanting to study in the US or move up the career ladder. Thousands of individuals sign up to take the test every year, but many put off taking it, laboring under the misconception that they can wait until school or work requires it. Putting off taking the TOEFL exam means facing wait lists, and there’s no guarantee your first attempt will be your last.
Depending on a candidate’s location, it can take anywhere from one to four weeks to sign up and take the TOEFL exam. The tests are graded by human and automated scoring methods to offer a complete, accurate picture of a test taker’s ability—but the human grading can take longer. That means scores are not posted online until approximately 10 days after a test date, and scores mailed to universities or institutions take approximately 13 days. In all, the process takes around a month to complete—quite an anxious period for those racing against the clock for application deadlines or competing for a position. The very latest you should take the TOEFL exam is eight weeks before it’s needed. This ensures time to secure a test date, take the test and receive results. Unfortunately, many don’t realize what they’ll need their TOEFL scores for until already requested from school or work. Waiting to take the TOEFL puts pressure on ESL learners to receive a high score on the first try—but candidates generally accomplish highest scores on second or third attempts.
Many people take the TOEFL more than once to see how high a score they can accomplish. By taking the TOEFL exams earlier than required, the time limits on re-taking the exam will not be detrimental—it removes the rush and anxiety of preparing for the TOEFL spoken test as well, giving ESL learners time to take an online pronunciation course to improve their spoken English. While there is no limit to the number of times candidates can take the test, non-native English speakers cannot take the exam more than once within a 12-day period and cannot register for another test within 12 days of a test appointment. For test takers who do not score as high as they would like, the wait to retake the exam can take another month.
If you feel you’ll need to submit TOEFL scores at any point, it’s ideal to be prepared and take the exam before the clock starts ticking. By doing so, you allow time to prepare for the reading, speaking, listening, and writing portions, giving yourself more time if you decide to retake. Test scores are stored for two years after the exam date, allowing plenty of time for results to be provided to universities or employers.
The application process for universities and jobs is stressful enough—cramming for the TOEFL magnifies this stress. By providing yourself time to study, sign up for a convenient testing date, and time for retaking the exam if necessary, you’ll be better able to showcase your understanding of English.
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