TOEFL Exam Sri Lanka: Format, Scores and Who Accepts It
TL;DR: You can take the TOEFL exam in Sri Lanka at a test centre or at home. Since 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT is an adaptive test scored from 1 to 6, with a comparable 0 to 120 score on reports until January 2028. Australian and New Zealand universities accept it, but it is not a UK visa test, so check your route first.
TOEFL iBT is one of the big English tests, and many students book it because a university abroad lists it. The catch is that each country treats it differently, and the January 2026 changes added a new score scale. This guide explains the format, the costs, how to book from Sri Lanka, and where a TOEFL score works. Check your eligibility with Prosper before you pay for any English test.
How does the TOEFL exam work in Sri Lanka?
Sri Lanka is on the ETS list of countries where TOEFL iBT is offered, and the Home Edition is available in every listed country (ETS country list). You choose between two options (ETS testing options):
- Test centre: you sit the test at an approved centre. ETS does not publish a public list of centres; you find dates and venues through "Find a Test Center" after you sign in to your ETS account.
- Home Edition: the same test on your own computer with a live online proctor. Slots run 24 hours a day, four days a week, and you must book at least 24 hours ahead.
Which one you take matters, because Australia does not accept the Home Edition (see below).
The new TOEFL iBT format and score scale
From 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT is adaptive: the questions adjust to your level as you go. It still tests Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking (ETS content and structure).
| Section | Base time |
|---|---|
| Reading | 30 minutes |
| Listening | 29 minutes |
| Writing | 23 minutes |
| Speaking | 8 minutes |
ETS tells test takers to allow about two hours in total. Each section and the overall score now use a 1 to 6 scale in half-band steps. Until January 2028, score reports also show your CEFR level and a comparable 0 to 120 score, and tests taken before 21 January 2026 keep the old 0 to 120 scale (ETS score scale update).
That is why university pages now show two kinds of TOEFL score. Read both before you book.
Who accepts TOEFL: UK, Australia and New Zealand
| Destination | University admission | Student visa |
|---|---|---|
| UK | Some universities accept TOEFL iBT for degree courses | TOEFL is not on the UK's approved SELT list. For degree-level study, the university can assess your English itself at CEFR B2. |
| Australia | Widely accepted | Accepted for tests taken at a test centre after registering under "Taking TOEFL for Australia". Home Edition not accepted. |
| New Zealand | Universities accept it | Non-university providers cannot accept tests in the new format |
Sources: GOV.UK approved English tests (updated 26 October 2026), GOV.UK Student visa English, Home Affairs English language, NZQA English entry requirements.
UK. A UK university that accepts TOEFL is making its own assessment for a degree-level course. A foundation year or pre-sessional course usually needs a SELT instead; the University of Portsmouth, for example, says TOEFL is not recognised by UKVI for those courses (Portsmouth English requirements). If you need a SELT, read our guides to IELTS for UKVI vs IELTS Academic and PTE Academic UKVI.
Australia. Tests taken on or after 7 August 2025 must be sat at a test centre and registered under "Taking TOEFL for Australia" (Home Affairs). Our guide to Australia student visa English requirements lists the scores for each test.
New Zealand. NZQA says tests in the new format cannot be accepted by non-university tertiary providers such as polytechnics and private colleges, while universities are not covered by that rule (NZQA). If you are heading to a polytechnic, choose IELTS or PTE. See New Zealand English language requirements.
TOEFL scores universities ask for
These are minimum TOEFL iBT scores from the universities' own pages:
| University | Undergraduate | Postgraduate | New 1 to 6 scale |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Portsmouth (UK) | 79 | 91 | Check page |
| Coventry University (UK) | 79, no section below 18 | 88, no section below 19 | 4.0 UG, 4.5 PG |
| University of Auckland (NZ) | 80, Writing 21 | Check page | 4.0, Writing 4.0 |
| Curtin University (Australia) | 81 | 81 | 4.5, Writing 4.5 |
Sources: Portsmouth, Coventry, Auckland, Curtin. Curtin's 81 applies to tests from June 2026. Portsmouth also accepts TOEFL MyBest scores, which combine your highest section scores from valid tests in the last two years (ETS MyBest). Do not assume a visa officer will accept MyBest.
TOEFL fees, results and validity
ETS shows the registration fee for Sri Lanka when you choose your test location in your account (ETS fees). The other published charges are US$69 to reschedule, US$49 for registering within seven days of the test, and US$29 for each extra score report. Up to four score reports are included if you choose them by 10 PM, test centre time, the day before the test. Scores appear about three days after the test and stay valid for two years (TOEFL iBT Bulletin).
Applying from Sri Lanka
Book through your ETS account and pick test centre or Home Edition based on your destination, not on convenience: an Australian student visa needs a centre-based test. Use the same name as your passport, and bring that passport on test day. If your plan is the UK, compare TOEFL with the IELTS options in our IELTS Sri Lanka guide and the PTE exam guide, since both have UKVI versions approved for UK visas.
Frequently asked questions
Can I take the TOEFL exam at home in Sri Lanka? Yes. ETS offers the TOEFL iBT Home Edition in Sri Lanka with a live online proctor. Australia does not accept the Home Edition for visas, so take a test centre TOEFL if Australia is your plan.
Is TOEFL accepted for a UK student visa? TOEFL is not on the UK's approved SELT list. For a degree-level course, a UK university can assess your English itself and may accept TOEFL iBT, but courses below degree level usually need a SELT such as IELTS for UKVI.
How long is a TOEFL score valid? A TOEFL iBT score is valid for two years from the test date. Scores appear about three days after the test.
What is the new TOEFL score scale? Since 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT reports each section and the overall score on a 1 to 6 scale in half-band steps. Until January 2028, reports also show a comparable 0 to 120 score.
Which is easier for New Zealand, TOEFL or IELTS? For a New Zealand polytechnic or private college, IELTS or PTE is the safer choice, because NZQA says non-university providers cannot accept new-format TOEFL scores. New Zealand universities can still accept TOEFL.
PS. The wrong English test costs you a fee and, worse, weeks before an intake. Before you book TOEFL, IELTS or PTE, check your eligibility with Prosper and confirm which test your university and visa will accept.
References
- TOEFL iBT country list, ETS, https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/about/country-list.html (accessed 03/11/2026)
- TOEFL iBT testing options, ETS, https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/about/testing-options.html (accessed 03/11/2026)
- TOEFL iBT content and structure, ETS, https://www.in.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/about/content-structure.html (accessed 03/11/2026)
- TOEFL iBT score scale update, ETS, https://www.ets.org/toefl/institutions/ibt/score-scale-update.html (accessed 03/11/2026)
- TOEFL iBT fees, ETS, https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/register/fees.html (accessed 03/11/2026)
- TOEFL iBT Bulletin, ETS, https://www.eu.ets.org/pdfs/toefl/toefl-ibt-bulletin.pdf (accessed 03/11/2026)
- MyBest scores, ETS, https://www.in.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/transcript/mybest-scores.html (accessed 03/11/2026)
- Prove your English language abilities with a SELT, GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt (accessed 03/11/2026)
- Student visa: knowledge of English, GOV.UK, https://www.gov.uk/student-visa/knowledge-of-english (accessed 03/11/2026)
- English language, Department of Home Affairs, https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language (accessed 03/11/2026)
- English language entry requirements for international students, NZQA, https://www2.nzqa.govt.nz/tertiary/english-language-entry-requirements-for-international-students/ (accessed 03/11/2026)
- English language requirements, University of Portsmouth, https://www.port.ac.uk/study/international-students/english-language-requirements (accessed 03/11/2026)
- Entry requirements, Coventry University, https://www.coventry.ac.uk/international-students-hub/entry-requirements/ (accessed 03/11/2026)
- Undergraduate English language requirements, University of Auckland, https://www.auckland.ac.nz/en/study/applications-and-admissions/entry-requirements/undergraduate-entry-requirements/undergraduate-english-language-requirements.html (accessed 03/11/2026)
- Accepted English qualifications, Curtin University, https://www.curtin.edu.au/study/applying/english-language-requirements/accepted-english-qualifications/ (accessed 03/11/2026)
