How long does it take for my paper TOEFL score report to reach me by mail?
Your paper or institutional TOEFL score report is mailed within roughly 11 to 13 business days of your test date, plus extra time for postal delivery to reach you. Your online score, by contrast, appears in your ETS account much sooner, within about 3 days.
If you need a physical TOEFL score report for an institution, plan for a longer wait than your online score. ETS mails paper or institutional score reports within roughly 11 to 13 business days of your test date, and postal delivery adds further time on top of that.
Paper Score Report Timeline
| Score Type | Typical Timeline |
|---|---|
| Paper/Institutional Report | Mailed within about 11 to 13 business days, plus postal delivery time |
| Online Score (ETS Account) | Available within about 3 days (72 hours) |
Which Score Type You Actually Need
Most universities today accept the official online score sent directly through your ETS account, so check with each institution before assuming you need to wait for the slower mailed paper report to complete your application.
My Advice
Confirm with each university whether they need a mailed paper report or will accept the official electronic score sent from your ETS account, since the second option saves you well over a week of waiting. Only request the paper version if an institution specifically requires it.
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