Each and every university in the United States decides what TOEFL score they require for their admission process. Therefore they require you to send your TOEFL score or have it sent directly for the admission process to be complete.
The process is a very easy one, and this article will explain all the necessary steps for sending your TOEFL report to universities in the USA. We will also discuss the costs and how long it takes for schools or universities to get them.
So buckle up, pass your TOEFL IBT exam and then follow these steps in order to be well prepared to send your TOEFL score to the school of your dreams with a clear head and a winning TOEFL score in hand!
How to Send TOEFL Scores to US Universities: In-Depth Guide
We will be going over all the available means to send your TOEFL scores to US universities, but first and foremost, make sure that you understand how the TOEFL Scores work for each section.
How to Send TOEFL Scores Before Taking the Test
You can order your TOEFL results to be sent to your schools either before or after you actually take the test. You should choose to send your scores after taking the test if you’re not sure about getting a TOEFL passing score, so you could have time to take the test again before sending your results.
First, here’s how to request your TOEFL scores to be sent before the test:
- Log into your TOEFL iBT account or create an account if you haven’t already, or use the official TOEFL app.
- Follow the prompts through “Order Score Reports.” (You’ll need to first register for a test date if you haven’t done so already.)
- Search for the school or schools you want to receive your score. Choose wisely which four schools will receive your TOEFL score for free!
How to Send TOEFL Scores After Taking the Test
The process for sending the scores after taking the test is not quite the same.
Send TOEFL Scores On Your ETS Online Account
After you take the test, or if you want to send your TOEFL score to more than four schools, the process is almost the same as above, except you’ll need to select “Send Additional Score Reports” in your TOEFL iBT account and pay for the fee. Additional score reports are available for US$20 per additional recipient.
You can create your account on the ETS website after which you will receive a confirmation email.
Once you have completed your registration, go on the home page and click on the “Send Additional Score Reports” to send extra TOEFL score reports to institutions.
Then carry on by selecting “TOEFL Services” for Product Type and then click on “continue”. After that, choose the test you would like to send the score report of and click on “continue”. The next step is searching for the institutions you want to send your test reports to. The final step is the payment method: you can choose between paying by credit/debit card, e-check or PayPal.
Send TOEFL Scores By Fax
You can also request additional score reports via fax. Fill in the same form as above and fax it along with your credit card information to +1-610-290-8972.
Send TOEFL Scores By Mail
Finally, it is possible to request additional score reports via postal mail as well. Mail the completed form along with check or money order payment to:
ETS-TOEFL iBT
P.O. Box 6153
Princeton, NJ 08541-6153 USA
ETS Global allows you to change the list of recipients after you select them at the latest by 10 p.m. (local time) the day before the exam at no extra cost.
If you’re planning to live in the US, you might also want to look into the ACTFL proficiency scale.
How Long Do TOEFL Scores Take To Arrive at Your Selected Universities?
You will receive your score in your ETS account or via email as soon as 6 days after the test, or via postal mail after 11 days plus mailing time. However, if you choose to have your scores sent, delivery time will be different depending on how the receiving institution chooses to receive the scores.
- The ETS Data Manager takes 6-8 days.
- The Scorelink Services takes 8-10 days after the test to arrive at their destination.
- Mailed scores take up to 9-11 days plus mailing time: allow an additional 7–10 days for mail delivery in the United States and 4–6 weeks for mail delivery to international locations.
Keep these dates in mind while taking into account your university’s application deadlines. It’s always better to plan and allow for plenty of time. Avoid the application deadline crunch so you can focus on achieving your TOEFL score!
Your TOEFL score is valid for 2 years from the day you take the exam. Beyond two years, you’ll need to retake the test and have your updated scores re-sent to your selected schools.
Sending TOEFL Scores to Universities: How Much Does It Cost?
Your TOEFL fee includes the option of having your official scores sent to up to four schools. This is the only time you can send your TOEFL at no extra cost. Any other recipient beyond the four schools selected will incur a fee (see below), so take our advice: save money and take the TOEFL only once you decide which schools you want to apply to.
Of course, you may have more than four schools in mind, but if you’re still in the process of narrowing down your applications, wait until you have a shortlist of potential schools and you’ll be saving yourself a considerable amount of money by not sending your scores needlessly!
Sending TOEFL Scores to US Universities: MyBest Scores
As you have probably heard, ETS Global has started offering a new way of reporting TOEFL scores called “MyBest Scores.“ This feature is designed for candidates who have taken the TOEFL several times and want to report only their best score on each of the four sections, limited to the past two years. In other words, only your best scaled scores in each section of every TOEFL test you have taken will be reported to the institution. If the MyBest Scores seem too complicated, you can try and learn about the TOEFL score range per sections first and then come back and take a second look at this new system.
Pros and Cons of MyBest Scores
Sending your best scores has many advantages. First, MyBest scores enable you to have more options when it comes to the institutions you’re applying to. They show your language proficiency and give you a chance to report only the sections you have done best in. It is also an additional option to what you already have, so if the institution you’re applying to does not accept MyBest scores, you can still send your single test date scores.
On the other hand, MyBest scores are accepted by a limited number of institutions, including top universities.
Universities Accepting MyBest Scores
Many universities across the world have indicated on their official websites that they accept MyBest scores. However, some universities do accept MyBest scores without necessarily mentioning that. So, make sure you get in touch with the institution to find out about their policies. Here is a list of some high ranked universities for which you can apply with MyBest scores:
| Country | Institution | Program |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | Swinburne University of Technology | Graduate - Law |
| Canada | University of British Columbia | College of Graduate Studies |
| Canada | University of Montreal | Master in Business Law |
| China | University of Michigan - Shanghai Jiao Tong University Joint Institute | Undergraduate |
| United Kingdom | University of Westminster | Graduate/Undergraduate |
| United States | Yale University | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences |
Required TOEFL IBT Scores for the Top 10 US Universities
Along with SAT scores, the TOEFL scores are also among the requirements of many universities in the US, but not all. Here is a list of the top 10 US universities and their required TOEFL scores:
| University | Required TOEFL iBT Score | MyBest Scores |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard University | 100 | No |
| Stanford University | 100 | No |
| Yale University | 100 | Yes |
| Princeton University | 100 | No |
| Massachusetts Institute of Technology | 90 | Yes |
| Columbia University | 100 | Yes |
| University of Pennsylvania | 100 | No |
| Fordham University | 85 | No |
| California Institute of Technology | 80 | No |
| Cornell University | 100 | Yes |
The minimum scores required in each university are different from one another, depending on how competitive the university is. However, not all universities reject your application if you don’t get the minimum score they require. In fact, some of them have conditional admission that may accept your lower scores.
Make sure you have the correct details on the minimum scores you need because programs vary in terms of score requirements.
There are other English language proficiency levels other than the TOEFL allowing you to enroll into a US university. Do keep in mind that the CEFR scale is however not accepted.
How to Choose the US University to Send Your Score To?
You will be given four free TOEFL test reports that you can send to the universities you’d like to apply to. Before you apply for any university, make sure you have sufficient information about the minimum TOEFL score required in the program you are applying for.
The same goes with your level of study. Sometimes, TOEFL scores are accepted for undergraduate applicants and not for graduate students (and vice versa.) If you are taking TOEFL iBT, check if the university accepts this format.
US universities usually accept TOEFL scores for both the iBT and PBT versions. To find out more about the minimum score required in US universities, the American Exam Services website gives you the full list of minimum scores required by admissions in each institution.
Tips and Tricks to Keep In Mind When Sending Your TOEFL Scores
- There’s one thing to keep in mind when deciding when and if you want your scores sent. Once you select your TOEFL report to be sent, you may no longer request a rescore or review of the score you receive on the Writing and Speaking portions of the test!
- Universities outside of your country of residence will receive your test report about 4-6 weeks after your test day. So, make sure you take your TOEFL test early if you want to apply for a university without exceeding the application deadlines.
- It’s better to know beforehand which universities you’ll be applying to so that you could send them your score report for free before taking the test. Otherwise you will need to pay an extra $20 fee if you send them after the test.
Get Accepted Into Your Dream University With GlobalExam’s Help
As you can see, the process of having your TOEFL scores reported to the schools you select is an easy one, but there are still many deadlines and delivery times to keep in mind. It’s enough to make your head spin! In order to focus on what counts, getting the best TOEFL score possible, it is strongly recommended to prepare for your TOEFL well ahead of time.
GlobalExam offers a comprehensive online platform to train and practice for the TOEFL exam. With your GlobalExam subscription, you’ll have access to lots of training modules specific to the TOEFL, in-depth grammar and vocabulary files to develop your English skills, not to mention several mock TOEFL tests that mirror the real test conditions exactly.
That way, you’ll have a perfect idea of what to expect from the TOEFL, the format and timing of the test, and you’ll get lots of tips on how to manage your time effectively to get great results.
You’ll even get personalized statistics so you can set your objectives, measure your progress, and in no time, you’ll be sure that the score of your report is top-notch!
