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TOEFL Test Center Policies

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TOEFL Test Center Policies

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Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a comprehensive analysis of an individual’s ability to express thoughts and understand others with English as a mode of communication. If an individual is a non-native English speaker in the USA or the United Kingdom or aspires to go there to propel his/her career by enrolling in a good university, then achieving a good score in TOEFL can certainly boost the chance of acceptance into a good university.

shape Policies

Following are the TOEFL Test Center Policies & Regulations

  • Test takers should dress in a way that they can adapt to any room temperature.

  • Report to the test center at least 30 minutes prior to the scheduled testing time. If arrived late, test taker may not be admitted and the test fee will be forfeited.

  • Food, beverages and tobacco are not allowed in the testing room.

  • Weapons and firearms are not allowed in the test center.

  • If test taker have health-related needs that require him/her to bring equipment, beverages or snacks into the testing room or to take extra or extended breaks, test taker need to follow the accommodations request procedures.
    [Click Here] For Bulletin Supplement (2019 - 2020)

  • The test administrator will assign a seat to test taker.

  • Test takers are not permitted to go outside the test center building unless it is to use the restroom only during the test administration, including breaks.

  • Test-related information written on clothing, ID documents or on any parts of the body is prohibited.

  • Friends or relatives who accompany with a test taker to the test center will not be permitted to wait in the test center or be in contact while taking the test. Except for ETS-authorized observers, visitors are not permitted in the testing room while testing is in progress.

  • The testing session will be actively monitored by test center staff. This includes staff walking around and entering and leaving the testing room.
  • Personal items other than identification documents are not allowed in the testing room. This includes any phones, PDAs, all watches, including digital, analog and smartwatches and other electronic, recording, listening, scanning or photographic devices. If test takers are seen using or accessing any of these electronic devices and/or transmitting data, including but not limited to text messaging, email and photographs, test takers device may be inspected and/or confiscated. Test takers may not access their phone during the test or during breaks to check messages, make a call or check the time.

  • Test takers may be required to remove their eyeglasses for close visual inspection. The inspection will take a few seconds and will be done at check-in and upon return from breaks.

  • Jewelry is prohibited, except for wedding and engagement rings. Do not wear other jewelry to the test center.

  • Clothing and other personal items that include, but are not limited to, hair accessories, neckties, bowties, hats, scarves, jackets, and outerwear are subject to inspection by the test center administrator. Refrain from wearing such items as tie clips, cuff links, ornate clips, combs, barrettes, headbands, and other hair accessories on test day, as test-takers may be prohibited from wearing them in the testing room.

  • Before the test, test-takers will receive instructions from test center staff regarding where to store personal items. Test takers may also be asked to empty their pockets. Test takers will not have access to their personal items during the test administration except for food, beverages, and medications, which may be accessed during their break.

  • If Test taker fails to follow the instructions of the test center staff, test takers will not be permitted to test and their test fee will not be refunded. Any violation of this procedure during the test or during breaks may result in dismissal from the test and/or cancellation of scores.

  • Test centers and ETS assume no responsibility for personal items, including watches, jewelry or devices that test-takers choose to bring into the test center.
The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins at sign-in, ends at sign-out and includes breaks.

  • If test-takers requested and received an authorization voucher from ETS, test takers must take it with them to the test center.

  • Test-Takers should plan to be at the test center up to four and one-half hours.

  • Test takers will be required to write and sign a confidentiality statement at the test center. If test takers do not complete and sign the statement, test takers cannot test and their test fees will not be refunded.

  • ETS reserves the right to ensure the security of test content by using electronic detection scanning devices (e.g., hand-held metal detectors/wands). Failure to comply may result in dismissal from the test and forfeiture of their test fees.

  • Test takers may be required to sign the test center log before and after the test session and any time test takers leave or enter the testing room.

  • Test takers will be asked to remove the watch and to store it during the test administration. Watches are not allowed in the testing room.

  • The test administrator will provide a scratch paper to test taker for use during the test. Scratch paper is not to be used before the test or during breaks. All paper, in its entirety, must be returned to the test center administrator at the end of the testing session. If test takers are observed using any document or paper other than the scratch paper given to them by test center staff, it will be confiscated. Test takers may not bring their own paper and they may not remove any paper from the testing room at any time, or write on anything other than the paper provided (e.g., computer or workstation).

  • The GRE General Test uses a standard English-language (QWERTY) computer keyboard. It takes its name from the first 6 letters in the third row of the keyboard. If test takers haven't used this kind of keyboard before, practice on one before test day to become familiar with it.

  • If at any time during the test, test takers have a problem with the computer, or for any reason need the administrator, raise the hand.

  • Testing premises are subject to videotaping.

  • The GRE General Test includes an optional 10-minute break after the third section and one-minute breaks between the remaining sections of the test. These break times cannot be exceeded. Test takers are required to remain in the test center building or in the immediate area. Test takers are not permitted to go outside the test center building unless it is to use the restroom during the test administration, including breaks.

  • If test-takers need to leave their seat at any time other than the break, raise the hand; the timing of the section will not stop.

  • Test takers will have access to an on-screen calculator during the Quantitative Reasoning sections. Personal calculators are not permitted in the testing room.

  • At the end of the test, test-takers will be given the option to report(view) or cancel their scores. If test takers choose to report their scores, those scores will become a part of reportable history and cannot be canceled. Although test takers have the option to cancel their scores, the test takers should consider very carefully before doing so because the score reporting choices available with the ScoreSelect option allow test takers to report only the scores that they feel reflect their personal best. Test taker's scores will be reported to GRE score recipients only at their request. If test takers choose to report their scores, test takers will be able to view their unofficial Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Reasoning scores at the test center. Because of the essay scoring process, test takers will not be able to view their Analytical Writing scores at the time test takers test.

  • Test centers cannot provide printed copies of unofficial score reports.

  • After test takers view their scores at the end of the test, test-takers will be asked to designate their score recipients and choose the ScoreSelect option regarding which scores should be reported (Most Recent or All scores). If an institution is not listed, ask the test center administrator for the appropriate form to indicate unlisted institutions. Complete the form and turn it in before leaving the test center. The form will not be accepted after test takers leave the test center.

  • If test takers do not select score recipients on the test day, or test-takers would like to send their scores to more than four score recipients, test-takers will need to submit an Additional Score Report request for a fee of US$27 per score recipient.

  • On occasion, weather conditions or other circumstances beyond the test administrator or ETS's control may require a delayed start or the rescheduling of their test appointment. In the event that a technical problem at the test center makes it necessary to cancel their test session, or if it is later determined that their scores could not be reported, test takers will be offered the opportunity to schedule another test appointment free of charge or receive a full refund of the original test fee. In addition, the test taker may seek reimbursement from ETS for reasonable and documented expenses associated with traveling to the test center, even though technical problems are generally not the fault of ETS. To request reimbursement, visit, TOEFL Contact Services with the below information within 30 days of the original appointment. All reimbursements will be made in U.S. dollars.

    1. Name of the Test-Taker,
    2. Date of Birth, Mailing address,
    3. Daytime Telephone Number,
    4. Email Address,
    5. Original Test Date and
    6. Registration or CBT Appointment Number, and a
    7. Brief Description of what occurred at the test center.
The following procedures and regulations apply during the entire test session, which begins when test takers are admitted to the test center, ends when test-takers leave the test center and includes breaks.

  • Test administrators will not honor requests for schedule changes.

  • Plan to be at the test center up to four and one-half hours.

  • No test taker will be admitted after test materials have been distributed.

  • With the exception of the confirmation email, paper of any kind is not permitted in the testing room. Test takers confirmation email cannot be used as scratch paper.

  • Test takers will be provided with an ETS calculator to use during the Quantitative Reasoning sections. Test takers may not use their own personal calculator. Sharing of calculators with other test takers is not permitted.

  • The GRE General Test includes a 10-minute break after the second Analytical Writing section. This break time cannot be exceeded. Test takers are required to remain in the test center building or in the immediate area. Test takers are not permitted to go outside the test center building unless it is to use the restroom during the test administration, including breaks.

  • Test takers must have the test administrator's permission to leave the room during the test. Any time lost cannot be made up. Test takers are required to remain in the test center building or in the immediate area unless it is to use the restroom only during the test administration, including breaks.

  • Test takers may work only on the test section designated by the test center administrator and only for the time allowed. Test takers will not be permitted to continue the test or any part of it beyond the established time limit.

  • Test takers should write their essay responses and enter the answers to test questions in the test book, rather than on a separate answer sheet.

  • At the end of the test, test-takers will be required to return their test book to the test administrator. This material is the property of ETS.

  • At the end of the test, test-takers will be asked to indicate if they want to cancel their scores. Test takers cannot cancel their score for one section of the test and have the remaining sections reported. If test takers do not cancel their scores, they will be sent to the institutions that test-takers designated during registration. If test-takers cancel their scores, they will NOT be available for their review online or be reported to any score recipients. No refund will be made. Canceled scores are not added to their reportable history. If test-takers wish to take the test again test takers must reregister and submit another test payment.
Contact ETS to report behavior that may interfere with test security or cause a disturbance. All reported incidents of fraud are taken seriously and investigated closely. All information is held in the strictest confidence. Phone: 1-800-353-8570 (Toll-free for test-takers in the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and Canada) +1-609-406-5430 (all other locations) Fax: +1-609-406-9709 Email: reportcheating@toefl.org
A test administrator is authorized to dismiss test takers from a test session and/or their scores may be withheld and ultimately canceled for any actions that violate the policies and procedures set forth herein and/or communicated at the test center including, but not limited to:

  • Attempting to take the test for someone else or having someone else take the test for test-takers.

  • Failing to provide acceptable identification.

  • Obtaining improper access to the test, a part of the test or information about the test. This includes having test questions or answers in advance of the test administration and bringing pre-knowledge of test information into the test center and any form including, but not limited to, identification documents, prohibited devices and any other method listed as an aid in connection to the test.

  • Using or having any prohibited device in test-taker possession in the test center. Any phones, PDAs, all watches, including digital, analog and smartwatches, and other electronic, recording, listening and photographic devices are not permitted in the test center. If test-takers bring them into the test center, test takers will be dismissed from the test, their test fees will be forfeited and their scores will be canceled even if the dismissal is not enforced on the day of the test. Test administrators are not permitted to collect and hold cell phones or any other devices. If test takers are seen using or accessing any of these devices and/or transmitting data, including but not limited to text messaging, email and photographs, their device may be inspected and/or confiscated. Test takers may not access their phone during the test or during breaks to check messages or to check the time.

  • Using any aids in connection with the test, including, without limitation: mechanical pencils, mechanical erasers, pens, pagers, beepers, calculators, books, pamphlets, notes, unauthorized scratch paper, rulers, highlighter pens, scan pens or scanning devices, dictionaries, translators, compasses, protractors, and any handheld electronic, scanning, listening, recording or photographic devices.

  • Creating a disturbance (Disruptive behavior in any form will not be tolerated; the test administrator has sole discretion in determining what constitutes disruptive behavior.)

  • Attempting to give or receive assistance - Communication in any form is not permitted during the test administration. Discussion or sharing of test content or answers during the test administration, including breaks, and after the test administration, is prohibited.

  • Removing or attempting to remove test content from the test center. Under no circumstances may test content or any part of the test content be removed, reproduced, and/or disclosed by any means (e.g., hard copy, verbally, electronically) to any person or entity.

  • Tampering with a computer during a computer-delivered test administration.

  • Attempting to remove scratch paper from the computer-delivered testing room or using scratch paper before the test, during untimed sections of the test or during breaks.

  • Bringing a weapon or firearm into the test center.

  • Bringing food, beverages or tobacco into the testing room.

  • Leaving the test center vicinity during the test session or during breaks.

  • Leaving the testing room without permission. Test takers are not permitted to go outside the test center building unless it is to use the restroom during the test administration, including during breaks.

  • Taking excessive or extended unscheduled breaks during the test session. Test center administrators are required to strictly monitor unscheduled breaks and report test takers who take excessive or extended breaks.

  • Referring to, looking through, or working on any test, or test section, when not authorized to do so, or working after time has been called.

  • Failing to follow any of the test administration regulations contained on the GRE website, given by the test administrator or specified in any test materials.

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