Score validity period for IELTS and TOEFL
A score validity period tells you how long a result can be used or officially reported under a particular test’s rules. IELTS gives organisations a recommended period and lets them accept older results. ETS sets a reporting deadline for TOEFL iBT scores that runs from the day you took the test.
Last updated:
A score validity period is the length of time a test result remains usable under the rules that apply to it. IELTS recommends two years and leaves organisations free to accept an older result. For the TOEFL iBT, ETS counts two years from the test date and stops sending scores once that period ends.
Suppose you are returning to college after working abroad and want to reuse an English test result. Find the test date on your report and read the college’s instructions. For an older IELTS result, ask admissions whether it will accept that report before you book another test.
How ExamLuma helps
Keep track of your study plan in ExamLuma. ↗
Set a daily study goal and follow your progress. ↗
Record completed study sessions. ↗
Frequently asked questions
When does ETS start counting?
ETS counts from the day you took the TOEFL iBT.
Who decides whether to accept an older IELTS result?
The organisation receiving the result decides whether to accept it beyond the recommended period.
What should I check before reusing a score?
Check its age, the recipient’s policy and whether the test provider can still send the result.
Sources
