The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is one of the most recent versions of the TOEFL exam. This version of the TOEFL iBT enables test takers to take the TOEFL exam from the comfort and safety of their home. The TOEFL iBT home edition was introduced by ETS in early 2020 to address the challenges of taking the TOEFL exam in a test center during the global health crisis.
Features of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is similar to the TOEFL iBT in the sense that the TOEFL questions are delivered through an online TOEFL testing interface.
However, unlike the TOEFL iBT exam, you do not need to access this testing interface using the computers at an official test center. Instead, you can access it using your personal computer from a quiet and isolated location.
Equipment Conditions for the TOEFL Home Edition
Computer
- You have to use a laptop or a desktop computer. No mobile devices can be used for the test
- The computer must be running on an approved operating system, such as Windows or Mac OS
- The test can only be done on Chrome or Firefox web browsers
- There should be only one display monitor connected to your computer
- Moreover, your proctor will know if you have a secondary monitor attached in the pre-test checking procedures
Camera
- A built-in camera or an external webcam is needed for the proctor to watch you during the test
- The camera must be movable as the proctor will ask for a 360 degree view of the room before starting the test
- The camera must have a resolution of 480p or 720p
Microphone
- An internal or external microphone should be present
- The microphone should be clear, so the proctor has no difficulty hearing you
- The microphone must not be a part of a headset
Speaker
- A built-in or a separate speaker should be connected to your computer
- Headphones and earphones are not allowed
Environmental Conditions for the TOEFL Home Edition
Room & Desk
- You should perform your test in a quiet, well-lit, and private room in your home
- The test cannot be taken in a public space
- You should be alone, and no one should enter the room during the test
- All doors should be closed during the test
- There should be no noise disturbance from outside the room during the test
- Your room and desk should be clear from cell phones, study materials, notes, and recording devices
- No food or drinks are allowed during the test
- Your desk should be placed in a manner that allows the door to be visible to the camera. This allows the proctor to see that no one enters the room during the test
- You should sit on a standard chair, not on a couch or any overstuffed chair
- You should have all your test documents on your desk before the start of the test, so everything is within your reach
- Identification documents could be your passport, national identification card, or any other official identification document
Note-taking
- You cannot take notes on a piece of paper
- You can use a small whiteboard with erasable markers
- You can also use paper and cover it with a plastic sheet so it can function as a whiteboard
- The proctor will ask you to erase your notes after the test and you have to show the erased whiteboard as well
Clothing & Appearance
- You should be properly dressed as the proctor will observe you throughout the exam
- A picture will be taken for the score report
- No face masks are allowed
- Your face and ears have to be visible the entire time
- You can wear religious headwear as long as the ears remain clear and visible
- You should remove all accessories on your body. These can be smartwatches, bangles, headbands, jewelry, headphones, tie clips, cufflinks
How is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition scored?
The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is scored in the same manner as the TOEFL iBT taking at official testing centers. You will receive the unofficial score of the reading and listening sections immediately after you finish the test.
However, the official electronic score report will be available 6 to 10 days after the test. This score report can be used when applying for admission to universities.
Moreover, you can also request a physical paper score report but it will take around 1 to 2 weeks to be delivered.
How to prepare for the TOEFL iBT Home Edition:
As both tests are the same, you can prepare for the TOEFL Home Edition with the same TOEFL preparation books and courses for the TOEFL iBT exam. Check out our complete review of the best TOEFL preparation books and the best TOEFL preparation courses on the market.
To get ready for the Home Edition exam, you will have to optimize your computer and pass the online compatibility test.
You have to install and run the ETS Secure Test Browser on your computer. It is better to fully run the program after downloading it. Make sure that it is perfectly installed and set up.
You can check your computer for its compatibility with the Home Edition by running a ProctorU Equipment system check.
You should also run this program before the test to ensure everything is in order. This way you can prevent any technical problems on your test day.
Note that your computer's firewall and antivirus programs may interfere with the ProctorU Equipment check. This may cause it to not approve your computer for the test. So, you may have to turn them off.
Furthermore, ProctorU representatives are available beforehand so you can communicate with them for assistance. This will allow you to get your computer optimized.
Your room should meet the environmental requirements described earlier. So make sure your room satisfies all of them before the test.
In addition, check that your internet is working properly on the day of your test. If you experience internet bandwidth issues at your home, you can ask others in your home to refrain from using the home internet during your test so there is no issue whatsoever.
Interested in a TOEFL prep course? Check out our holistic review of the best TOEFL prep courses on the market.
Do all universities accept the TOEFL iBT Home Edition?
Most universities that accept the TOEFL iBT, also accept the Home Edition as it is the same test. As it meets the same scoring criteria, the Home Edition holds the same credibility as the TOEFL iBT. It is, basically, a safe and reliable alternative for students who wish to take their TOEFL exam remotely.
Note that some universities may not list the Home Edition separately on their websites, even if they accept TOEFL scores. They only list the TOEFL iBT. So, make sure to check with the particular university before registering for the Home Edition.
FAQs about the TOEFL iBT Home Edition
What is the difference between the TOEFL iBT and Home Edition?
The TOEFL iBT is taken at an official testing center. Whereas the TOEFL iBT Home Edition - which has the same format, questions, and content as the TOEFL iBT - is taken online on a computer outside of an ETS approved test center.
The Home Edition gives you the advantage of performing the TOEFL iBT from the comfort of your own home. A proctor will be assigned to monitor you during the test through a camera.
To sum up, the TOEFL iBT and the Home Edition are the same test but are taken in different environments. The addition of a proctor and equipment is the only difference.
Is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition still available?
The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is still available worldwide, except in Iran. The test can be taken 24 hours a day, 4 days a week.
You can even register yourself and perform the test 24 hours later. But, there are terms and conditions for those circumstances.
Is the TOEFL iBT Home Edition accepted everywhere?
As the tests are the same, the TOEFL iBT Home Edition and the TOEFL iBT are equal in every regard.
As discussed above, the TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted in almost all the universities of the world that accept the TOEFL iBT. However, do check that your prospective university accepts the Home Edition before registering for it.
Is the TOEFL Home Edition acceptable?
The TOEFL iBT Home Edition is accepted wherever the TOEFL iBT is accepted. As its scoring scheme is the same, the score obtained from the Home Edition is of the same credibility. You can use this score in the same manner as the TOEFL iBT when applying for universities.
Can you cheat on the TOEFL Home Edition?
During the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, you will be monitored by an online proctor. So any attempts at cheating on the exam will be detected by the proctor. If you're caught cheating, your exam will be canceled and you will not receive any refund.
Can I use my laptop camera for the TOEFL Home Edition?
You can use your laptop camera for the test if it has a resolution of 480p or 720p. This is the minimum resolution required for the Home Edition. Given that you are required to show the proctor a 360-degree view of your room and desk, a webcam will be much easier. As moving a laptop around will be a bit more difficult than moving an external webcam. You can check out our recommendation for the best webcams for proctored exams.
Final Thoughts
Given that the TOEFL home edition can be taken from the comfort of your home, most test-takers find this exam less daunting than the TOEFL iBT exam that can only be taken at an approved test center.
Nevertheless, if you want to obtain a high TOEFL score, you should prepare to take the TOEFL home edition very seriously.
One of the most effective way of studying for the TOEFL home edition is to invest in quality TOEFL prep resources such as books and courses.
Check out our in-depth review of the best TOEFL online courses and TOEFL books we recommend for a high TOEFL score.
Best of Luck on your TOEFL prep!
