IELTS · TOEFL iBT · TOEFL ITP

How long are IELTS
and TOEFL scores valid?

In short: IELTS recommends that results are treated as valid for two years after the test, and organisations may choose to accept them for longer. TOEFL iBT scores are valid for two years after the test date; older scores can’t be reported or verified. TOEFL ITP score reports are also valid for two years. What counts is the rule of the university, employer or visa office you apply to, so check their deadline and plan your test date backwards from it.

Updated 2 November 2026 · Trestle editorial team, Qoodly

Key takeaways

IELTS: two years is the recommendation; some organisations accept older results.
TOEFL iBT: two years from the test date, after which ETS can’t send or verify the score.
TOEFL ITP: score reports are valid for two years.
Plan backwards from your application deadline, leaving time for results and a possible retake.

Validity at a glance

Test	Valid for	What the test maker says
IELTS (Academic and General Training)	2 years (recommended)	Results are recommended to be considered valid for two years after the test; organisations can accept them for longer.
TOEFL iBT	2 years	Scores remain valid for 2 years after the test date; older scores can’t be reported or verified.
TOEFL ITP	2 years	Score reports are valid for 2 years; older scores can’t be reported or verified.

Why two years?

Language ability changes over time: it can grow with study and fade without use. IELTS bases its two-year recommendation on research into second-language loss, and ETS notes that language proficiency can change considerably in a relatively short period. A result shows what you could do around the test date, not indefinitely.

What "valid" means in practice

It’s the receiving organisation’s rule that matters. IELTS gives a recommendation; a university, employer or immigration office decides what it accepts. Check which date the organisation counts the two years to, for example your application date.
TOEFL scores older than two years can’t be sent. ETS stops reporting and verifying them, so an organisation can’t receive an official score report after that.
A new result replaces nothing automatically. If your score is close to expiry, check whether the organisation needs a fresh test or will accept the one you have.

Plan your test date backwards

Write down every deadlineApplication, scholarship, visa and enrolment dates, and how recent each one needs your result to be.
Add the result timeComputer-delivered IELTS results arrive in a few days; TOEFL iBT scores in about 3 days. Add time for score reports to reach the organisation.
Leave room for a retakeIf you miss your target, a second sitting needs a free date and a few more weeks of study.
Pick the test dateLate enough to be ready, early enough that the result is within the validity window on every deadline.

How long does preparation take?

It depends on the gap between your current level and your target. A short placement test and a weekly routine tell you more than a fixed number of weeks: see how to study for IELTS, how to study for TOEFL and the IELTS score calculator to check where you are.

Questions

How long is an IELTS result valid?

IELTS recommends that results are treated as valid for two years after the test. Organisations can choose to accept older results, so check the rule of the one you apply to.

How long are TOEFL scores valid?

TOEFL iBT scores are valid for two years after the test date. Scores more than two years old can’t be reported or verified by ETS.

Is TOEFL ITP valid for two years?

Yes. ETS says TOEFL ITP score reports are valid for two years, and older scores can’t be reported or verified.

Can I use an expired IELTS result?

Only if the organisation you apply to accepts results older than two years. Many don’t, so you would need to take the test again.

Sources

Formats and scores can change. Confirm the details for your test date with the test maker before you book.

Trestle is independent practice by Qoodly. It is not affiliated with, endorsed or approved by ETS or the IELTS partners. TOEFL, TOEFL iBT and TOEFL ITP are registered trademarks of ETS. IELTS is a registered trademark of the British Council, IDP Education and Cambridge University Press & Assessment.