How Many Times Should You Take the TOEFL?

There's a surprisingly common belief among TOEFL test-takers that the right number of attempts is "as many as it takes." And while persistence is admirable, each attempt costs money, time, and emotional energy. At some point, you have to ask: is another retake actually going to help?

The answer depends on where you are, where you need to be, and what's actually causing the gap. Let's break it down.

What the Data Says

ETS has published research on score changes across multiple attempts. Here are the key findings:

• The average score improvement from first to second attempt is about 3-4 points. This is the biggest single jump most test-takers see.
• From second to third attempt, the average improvement drops to 1-2 points.
• After three attempts, average improvements are minimal — typically less than 1 point for most test-takers.

These are averages, which means some people improve dramatically on their second or third try, while others don't improve at all. The question is what determines which group you fall into.

Who Improves Most on a Retake

Students who see the biggest improvements on retakes typically share these characteristics:

1. First attempt was significantly below their practice scores. Test-day anxiety, unfamiliar environment, technical glitches, or just a bad day. Their English ability was always higher than what the first score showed.

2. They identified specific, fixable problems. Not "I need to study more" but "I consistently miss inference questions in Reading" or "I run out of time on the last Listening set."

3. They changed their preparation between attempts. New strategies, different practice materials, targeted work on weak sections — not just more hours of the same routine.

Who Doesn't Improve on a Retake

Students who retake with little improvement usually fall into one of these patterns:

1. Their first score accurately reflected their ability. No amount of test strategy will push past a fundamental language proficiency ceiling.

2. They prepared the same way. If your study approach didn't get you to 100 the first time, doing more of it won't get you there the second time.

3. They retook too quickly. Taking the test again after just a few days doesn't give your brain enough time to consolidate new skills. Three days is the minimum wait; three to four weeks is more productive.

The Cost of Each Attempt

Let's talk about money, because it adds up fast.

A single TOEFL attempt with score reports to four schools runs about $280. Three attempts: $840 or more. That's not trivial, especially for international students already budgeting for application fees, visa costs, and tuition deposits.

The Time Cost

Each retake doesn't just cost money — it costs preparation time. If you're spending 3-4 weeks preparing for each retake, three attempts consume nearly three months. That's three months you could spend strengthening other parts of your application, or — honestly — enjoying your life before graduate school.

The Emotional Cost

This one's harder to quantify but very real. Repeated low scores erode confidence. Test anxiety often gets worse, not better, with each attempt. If you find that you're dreading the test rather than approaching it as a manageable challenge, more retakes might be counterproductive.

MyBest Scores: The Game Changer

Since 2019, ETS has offered "MyBest" scores — your highest section score from all TOEFL attempts in the past two years, combined into a single composite. This fundamentally changes the retake calculation.

How MyBest Works

In this example, no single attempt reached 99 — but the MyBest composite did. This is powerful.

The Strategic Implication

With MyBest scores, you don't need to perform perfectly across all four sections in one sitting. Instead, you can:

1. Focus each retake on your weakest section. If your Reading is already strong, don't spend retake preparation time on it.
2. Accept that different sections may peak on different days. Speaking might be better on a day when you're relaxed; Reading might be better on a day when you're sharp and focused.
3. Plan 2-3 attempts as part of your strategy from the beginning, rather than treating retakes as failures.

The Catch

Not all programs accept MyBest scores. Before planning a multi-attempt strategy, check each of your target programs' policies. Some accept MyBest, some require a single-sitting score, and some have section-specific minimums that must be met in a single attempt.

So, How Many Attempts?

Here's a framework based on your situation:

One Attempt Is Enough If:

• Your practice scores consistently meet or exceed your target
• You've simulated full test conditions at least twice
• You don't have severe test anxiety
• Your target score is within 5 points of your current practice average

Two Attempts Is the Sweet Spot If:

• Your first score is within 5-10 points of your target
• You can identify specific areas to improve
• You have 3-4 weeks between attempts
• Your target programs accept MyBest scores

Three Attempts Makes Sense If:

• You're using a MyBest strategy to optimize across sections
• Each attempt shows measurable improvement in at least one section
• You have specific, different goals for each attempt

More Than Three Attempts Is Usually a Signal to Change Course If:

• Your scores have plateaued across multiple attempts
• The improvement from each attempt is less than 2 points
• You've been preparing for 6+ months with the same study approach
• Test anxiety is getting worse, not better

The Optimal Strategy: Plan for Two, Prepare Like It's Your Only One

This is the approach I recommend to most students:

Step 1: Register for two test dates, 4-6 weeks apart.

Having a second date already booked removes some of the pressure from your first attempt. You know you have another chance, which paradoxically often helps you perform better the first time.

Step 2: Prepare seriously for the first attempt.

Don't treat it as a "practice run." Give it full effort. Take multiple timed practice tests. Simulate test-day conditions. Go in ready to hit your target.

Step 3: If the first score meets your target, cancel the second date.

You'll lose the registration fee, but you've saved yourself 4 weeks of preparation time and the stress of another test day.

Step 4: If the first score falls short, use the detailed score report to adjust your preparation.

Now you have real test data to work with. Spend the 4-6 weeks between attempts targeting exactly what went wrong.

Step 5: If the second score still falls short, pause and reassess.

Before registering for a third attempt, honestly evaluate: Is more test-taking likely to produce a different result? Or do you need a fundamentally different approach — more immersive English practice, a different test (IELTS, PTE), or adjusted target programs?

When to Stop Retaking

This is the hardest question, and the one most students avoid answering. Here are clear signals that more retakes won't help:

Your Score Is Stable Across 3+ Attempts

If you've scored 88, 90, and 89 on three attempts, your fourth attempt will almost certainly be in the same range. Your score has converged on your actual ability level. Improvement from here requires genuine skill development over months, not another test-taking attempt.

Your Practice Scores Don't Match Your Goal

If your practice tests consistently score 90-93 and you need 100, the gap isn't test-day performance — it's your current English level. No amount of retaking will close a gap that exists in your practice as well.

The Opportunity Cost Is Too High

If preparing for another TOEFL attempt means delaying your applications by a cycle, that's a massive cost. A semester or year of delayed enrollment often outweighs the benefit of a few more TOEFL points.

Your Mental Health Is Suffering

Standardized tests should not be the defining stress of your life for months on end. If TOEFL preparation is causing anxiety, sleep disruption, or depression, it's time to step back and explore alternative paths.

Alternatives to More Retakes

If you've decided that more TOEFL attempts aren't the answer, you still have options:

Switch to IELTS or PTE. Some students genuinely perform better on different test formats. IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview rather than speaking into a microphone, which some people find less stressful. PTE is entirely computer-scored, which some find more predictable.

Apply with your current score. If you're within 3-5 points of a program's requirement, apply anyway. Many programs evaluate applications holistically, and a strong profile with a slightly-below-target TOEFL score can still result in admission — sometimes with a conditional English requirement.

Seek conditional admission. Many universities offer conditional admission for students who meet all requirements except the English proficiency score. You may need to take an English course during your first semester, but you're in the program.

Request a waiver. If you've studied or worked in an English-speaking environment, some programs will waive the TOEFL requirement entirely. It never hurts to ask.

The Bottom Line

For most students, the optimal number of TOEFL attempts is two. The first gives you real test experience and a baseline score. The second — if needed — lets you apply targeted improvements based on specific data.

Three attempts can work with a MyBest strategy. Beyond three, you're usually hitting diminishing returns and should consider whether a different approach will serve you better.

The TOEFL is a means to an end — not the end itself. The goal isn't a perfect score; it's getting into the program where you'll thrive.

If you're preparing for a TOEFL attempt and want to maximize your score efficiently, Ace120 provides adaptive practice that focuses on your specific weak areas, with AI-graded Speaking and Writing so you know exactly where you stand before test day. Practice smarter, not just more.