TOEFL Exam Registration Guide: Step-by-Step Process

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.

TOEFL Eligibility Criteria – Not sure if you can take the TOEFL? Here's who’s eligible to register.

TOEFL Exam Pattern – Before booking your test, take a look at how it’s structured.

TOEFL Exam Registration: Process Overview

Registering for the TOEFL takes just a few steps, but every detail needs to match your official ID. 

Here's a quick look at what the process includes—and what Indian students often overlook.

Steps to Register for the TOEFL Exam

1. Create an ETS account on the official TOEFL website
2. Choose the test format: TOEFL iBT at a center or Home Edition
3. Select your preferred test date and location
4. Enter personal details exactly as they appear on your passport
5. Pay the registration fee and confirm your test slot

Important Checkpoints During TOEFL Exam Registration

• Name and date of birth must match your passport—no spelling errors or abbreviations
• Select the right format (Home Edition requires specific tech setup and stable internet)
• Check your test center location and availability before confirming
• Review the free score report options—you get up to 4 reports included
• Make sure your email ID is valid—you’ll get confirmation and test-day instructions there

TOEFL Home Edition Requirements – Taking it from home? This guide helps you avoid tech errors.

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)

Step	Details
Visit the Official ETS Website	Go to www.ets.org/toefl and click “Register / Sign In.” You’ll be redirected to the ETS test-taker portal.
Create Your ETS Account	Use your full name as per your passport—no nicknames or initials. Enter your correct date of birth, email ID, and phone number. This info must exactly match your ID proof. Indian test-takers must use their passport.
Choose the Test Format	Decide between: • TOEFL iBT Test Center format (available in major Indian cities) • TOEFL Home Edition (requires system check and stable internet)
Select the Test Date and Location	• Use the calendar tool to view available dates • For the test center version, select your preferred city • For Home Edition, choose any open time slot
Fill in Academic and Background Details	You’ll be asked about your education level, country, preferred field of study, and when you plan to apply. Choose up to 4 institutions to send your scores to for free.
Confirm Identification Details	Enter your passport number. If you're taking the Home Edition, you may also need to upload a scanned copy during the system check.
Pay the Registration Fee	• TOEFL exam fee in India (2025): $205 (approx. ₹17,000) • Pay using an international debit/credit card, PayPal, or Alipay • Indian bank cards must be enabled for international transactions
Review and Confirm Your Registration	• Recheck all details: name, test date, format, city • Submit and download your confirmation email and admission ticket

TOEFL Vocabulary List – Start early! Learn high-frequency words that appear in the test.

TOEFL Reading Section Tips – Reading part feels long? Here’s how to handle it better.

TOEFL Listening Section Guide – This part is all about focus—get tips to stay sharp.

Where to Do TOEFL Exam Registration

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 vs IELTS – Which One’s Better for You? – Still deciding between tests? This guide compares TOEFL with others.

TOEFL Accepting Universities in the USA – Planning for the US? Here's where your TOEFL score is accepted.

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.

TOEFL Tips & Tricks for First-Time Takers – Feeling underprepared? These quick tips can help before test day.

What to Do After You’ve Registered

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

Where to Find Prep Resources

Resource Type	Where to Access It
Free TOEFL practice tests	ETS official website
Section-wise guides	upGrad Abroad articles (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing)
TOEFL prep books (PDF/print)	Available on Amazon, Flipkart, or ETS store
Mock tests & simulations	ETS portal
1:1 strategy sessions	Book a TOEFL counseling call with upGrad Abroad

Use the first week post-registration to get familiar with the format—not just practice. Knowing the test structure saves time and improves accuracy.

Best TOEFL Preparation Books – Don’t waste time with random PDFs. Start with these top books.

TOEFL Speaking Section Tips – Scared of speaking into a mic? You’re not alone—this will help.

Test Prep Support on upGrad Abroad: TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, SAT & More

Need help with TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, SAT, or ACT? upGrad Abroad gives you everything in one place.

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.

No need to search across different platforms. Whether you're preparing for TOEFL or figuring out how to report your scores, we make it simple.

Want to study abroad with confidence?

Start your test prep with upGrad Abroad today.

Download the Free TOEFL Study Guide eBook – Want one full prep resource? This free guide has everything.