TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Can ASEAN Students Take It Without a Test Center

What TOEFL iBT Home Edition is

TOEFL iBT Home Edition is the same test as the test center version, delivered to your own computer with a live proctor watching over video instead of an in-person staff member. ETS lists the test as accepted by over 13,000 institutions across more than 160 countries , the same acceptance network as the test center option. If the closest test center is far from you, a full day of travel eats into your study or work schedule, or a seat is full close to your deadline, Home Edition removes that barrier without changing what appears on your score report.

Device and room requirements

Check every item below before you book, since ETS does not offer a refund or free reschedule if your setup fails on test day.

• A licensed, non test-mode operating system. For PC, ETS requires Windows 11 or a newer version.

• A working webcam, either built into your computer or a separate one you move to show your desk, the area under it, and the rest of the room.

• An internal or external microphone that is not part of a headset, plus internal or external speakers. Headsets and earphones are not allowed.

• A second device, a fully charged smartphone or tablet running iOS 12 or later, or Android 8 or later, with a working camera for the room scan.

• A private room with a closed door, a clear desk, and no other people entering during the test.

ID verification and proctoring

You show a valid government-issued photo ID to your online proctor before the test starts, matching the name on your ETS account. The proctor stays with you through check-in, the room scan and the full test, watching for the same rule violations as a test center invigilator: notes, other people in the room, or a second screen. Breaking a rule during the session ends your test without a refund.

Running the equipment check before you book

ETS provides a free online system check you should run on the exact computer and network you plan to use on test day, not a different device you tested earlier. The check confirms your webcam, microphone, speakers and internet speed meet the standard, and flags anything that needs fixing before you commit money to a test date. Run it a few days ahead of booking, since fixing a driver issue or moving to a room with a stronger signal takes time you do not want to lose on the morning of your test.

What ends your session early

• Someone else entering the room during the test.

• Notes, books or a second screen visible to the proctor.

• Your webcam losing the required view of your desk and the area below it.

• Your internet connection dropping for an extended period during a section.

Home Edition versus a test center visit

Home Edition saves you a commute and often opens earlier available dates than a busy local test center, while a test center visit removes any risk tied to your home internet or device setup. If your home setup is unreliable, or you share a small space with family members who cannot stay out of the room for two hours, a test center booking might be the safer choice even with the travel involved.

Cost

Home Edition costs the same as the test center version in your country. Fees vary widely by location, commonly landing near $190-230 across Southeast Asia. Confirm the exact fee for your country on ets.org when you register, since local taxes change the final price.

Do universities accept it the same as a test center score

Your Home Edition score report carries no label marking it as an at-home test. Universities receive the same score report format either way, and ETS states both options draw from the same accepted-institution network. A small number of scholarship programs or licensing bodies ask specifically for a test center score, so check your program's requirement page if you are applying for funding alongside your university offer.

Availability for ASEAN students

Home Edition is not offered in every country, and ETS updates the eligible-location list from time to time. Before you plan around it, check the current availability for your country on the ETS at-home requirements page , then run the free system check ETS provides to confirm your computer and internet connection meet the standard before test day.

The scoring scale change from January 2026

From January 21, 2026, ETS moves TOEFL iBT, including the Home Edition, to a new 1-6 scale in half-point steps, alongside a converted 0-120 score shown on reports through January 2028. This applies equally to both testing options, so your choice between Home Edition and a test center does not change which scale your score arrives on.