Every year, thousands of students around the globe take the TOEFL iBT in hopes of unlocking academic and professional opportunities. For some, the scores are a cause for celebration. For others, particularly in the speaking and writing sections, the outcome can be puzzling and even disappointing. It’s not uncommon to feel that you performed better than your score reflects, and this leads to a common follow-up question: should I request a rescore?

The TOEFL rescore process exists for a reason. Human evaluators, despite being trained and calibrated, can occasionally miss nuances in a response. Misinterpretations may happen, especially with spoken English that includes varied accents or idiomatic expressions. Similarly, a well-structured essay might be undervalued due to subjective perception or fatigue. Because of this, the option to request a rescore is a safeguard for fairness. But it’s not something to be taken lightly.

The Rescore Landscape: What It Means and Why It Exists

The TOEFL iBT is designed to be a reliable measure of English proficiency, especially in academic contexts. It’s widely used for college admissions, professional licensing, and even immigration pathways. But despite its standardized nature, the speaking and writing sections rely on human raters. This introduces a small, but undeniable, layer of subjectivity.

A rescore is not a do-over. You don’t get to submit new answers or revise your writing. Instead, your original responses are reevaluated by different human raters. These raters do not know what score was originally assigned, nor do they have access to any background context about you. Their job is to give a fresh, unbiased judgment.

This process can lead to a higher score, a lower score, or no change at all. In many cases, the difference is one point—sometimes two. Rarely, though possible, the increase might be larger. Conversely, scores can also go down.

Because the outcome is uncertain, the decision to request a rescore must be made strategically. Understanding your eligibility is the very first gate to cross.

Am I Eligible for a Rescore? Understanding the Rules and Restrictions

The question of eligibility might seem straightforward, but it’s where many hopeful test takers make their first mistake. Being emotionally ready for a rescore does not automatically make you eligible for one. You must meet specific administrative criteria in order to request a rescore of your TOEFL speaking or writing section.

Let’s break down the most important eligibility rules and what they mean in real terms.

1. The 30-Day Deadline

You have only 30 days from the date of your TOEFL test to request a rescore. This is a hard deadline. It does not mean 30 business days. It means 30 calendar days starting from your official test date.

This time frame is not flexible. If you took your TOEFL exam on May 1st, then by May 31st, your opportunity to request a rescore will have passed. If you try to request a rescore on day 31, the system will not allow it.

Why is this rule in place? Because score data gets archived and used for processing requests to institutions. After 30 days, that data starts to become locked in, and the rescore process becomes more difficult to manage or validate.

Strategically, this means that you need to be paying close attention to your score release date and take action quickly. If your scores come out and you’re disappointed or surprised, don’t wait weeks to think about it. Mark the 30-day expiration on your calendar the moment your scores are released.

2. Do Not Send Scores Before Deciding

One of the lesser-known but absolutely crucial rules is this: if you have already sent your scores to an institution—any institution—you are no longer eligible to request a rescore.

This rule surprises many test takers. They assume that they can send scores to universities or professional boards and then decide later if they want a rescore. But that’s not the case. Once the score is delivered, it’s considered final.

That means if you’re even thinking about a rescore, hold off on sending scores. It’s better to wait a few extra days and make a decision about the rescore than to send a potentially flawed score too quickly and lose your ability to challenge it.

Let’s consider a real-life scenario. Suppose you are applying to a pharmacy board that requires a 26 in speaking. You receive your TOEFL score and see that you’ve got a 24 in speaking. You’re shocked—you thought you performed well. However, in your rush to meet a deadline, you send the score anyway, thinking you can request a rescore afterward. Unfortunately, that score is now locked in. Even if a rescore would have increased your speaking score to 26, it’s too late. Your chance is gone.

This can be heartbreaking. But it’s avoidable with one simple habit: never send your scores until you’re sure you’re satisfied with them or you’ve decided not to pursue a rescore.

How to Decide Quickly Without Regret

You now know that there’s a 30-day limit and that you must hold off on sending scores if you want to keep your rescore option open. But how can you make this decision quickly, especially when the stakes are so high?

Here are a few practical steps to help you evaluate your situation within the eligibility window:

Step One: Immediately Reflect on Your Performance

As soon as you finish your TOEFL exam, jot down your impressions. How did you feel about each section? Where were your strong and weak areas? What questions caught you off guard?

This kind of self-reflection won’t change your score, but it gives you a useful benchmark when you receive your results. If you felt confident in speaking and writing, but your scores are low, that’s a clue. If you already knew you fumbled a response, a low score might be more understandable.

Step Two: Review the Rubrics

Both the speaking and writing sections are evaluated using detailed rubrics that cover areas such as organization, development, language use, pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. Revisit these rubrics and try to evaluate your own responses objectively. Did you meet the criteria? Did your answers align with the expectations?

This is especially helpful if you saved a mental outline of what you said or wrote. Compare that to the rubric to determine whether a misjudgment is plausible or whether the score might actually be accurate.

Step Three: Talk to a Mentor or Instructor

If you’re unsure, consult someone with experience in TOEFL test preparation. This could be a teacher, a language tutor, or someone who has taken the test multiple times. Let them know what score you got, what you expected, and how you felt during the test. They may offer an outside perspective on whether a rescore is worth pursuing.

Even better, if you recorded any practice responses leading up to your test, have them evaluate those based on what you know your actual test performance felt like. While it won’t be a perfect comparison, it can help clarify your decision.

The Emotional Impact of Eligibility Limits

Let’s take a moment to consider the emotional side of this decision.

Many test takers feel frustrated when they learn they’re ineligible for a rescore because they’ve sent their scores too soon or waited past the deadline. This frustration often stems from a feeling of lost opportunity, especially when they believed they were close to their goal.

That emotional toll is real. It can create doubt and even resentment toward the testing process. But part of mastering this journey is understanding the system. The eligibility rules are not meant to trap you—they exist to streamline the score processing system and prevent data inconsistencies.

Knowing these rules in advance allows you to be strategic, not reactive. It turns the rescore decision from a gamble into a calculated move.

Eligibility Before Moving Forward

The rescore option is a valuable tool for those who feel that their speaking or writing score does not reflect their true ability. But it is not always available—and it must be treated with urgency, caution, and strategy.

In summary:

• You must request a rescore within 30 days of your test date.
• You cannot request a rescore if you have already sent your TOEFL scores to any institution.
• If you are unsure about your performance or outcome, delay sending your scores until you’ve made a decision.
• Take time to reflect on your test performance immediately after the test while it’s still fresh.
• Review the rubrics and get input from someone knowledgeable to assess whether your responses might have been undervalued.

Belief, Confidence, and Rubrics — Do You Truly Deserve a Higher TOEFL Score?

After understanding your eligibility for a TOEFL speaking or writing rescore, the next natural question becomes more internal. It’s no longer about deadlines or system rules. Instead, it asks you to reflect on your actual performance and your belief in that performance. Do you genuinely believe your responses deserved a better score? Did you fulfill the expectations set by the official rubrics?

Why Belief in Your Performance Matters

When test takers receive a lower-than-expected TOEFL score, the first emotion is often confusion or disbelief. Many immediately assume the score is a mistake. While that’s possible, not every low score is unjustified. That’s why it’s important to ask yourself, calmly and honestly, whether your performance during the speaking or writing section actually met the standards.

Belief in your own performance is central to the rescore decision. If you truly think that your spoken responses were clear, well-organized, and fluent, or that your essays were coherent, grammatical, and well-structured, then a rescore might be worth it. But if deep down you remember stumbling, pausing, or leaving ideas underdeveloped, then the original score may be more accurate than you hoped.

In other words, this isn’t just about hope—it’s about self-assessment. The closer your belief is grounded in specific feedback and rubric-based expectations, the better your decision will be.

Understanding the Rubrics: Speaking Section

Let’s begin by looking at the speaking rubric. The TOEFL speaking section is evaluated based on three main categories:

1. Delivery: How clear and natural is your speech? Do you speak smoothly, with proper intonation, rhythm, and pace?
2. Language Use: Do you demonstrate good control over grammar and vocabulary? Are your word choices appropriate and varied?
3. Topic Development: Did you develop your ideas logically and fully? Are your answers well-organized and easy to follow?

Each of these criteria is rated on a scale that contributes to a final scaled score out of 30. Test takers aiming for high scores—often 26 or higher—need to perform at a very high level across all three dimensions.

If you’re considering a rescore, review each of these categories and ask yourself: Did I speak clearly, without awkward pauses or repeated corrections? Was my grammar smooth and free from consistent errors? Did I explain my ideas thoroughly and clearly connect my examples?

It can help to recall your practice sessions. If you had been consistently scoring high in mock speaking exams or if your instructors were impressed by your performance, this evidence can reinforce your belief that a rescore may be justified.

Understanding the Rubrics: Writing Section

The writing section is scored using a separate rubric, but it also evaluates across three major dimensions:

1. Organization and Development: Did you present your ideas in a clear, logical order? Were your paragraphs well-structured, and did each support your overall argument?
2. Language Use: Was your grammar accurate? Did you vary your sentence structure and use appropriate vocabulary?
3. Task Fulfillment: Did you fully respond to the question? Did you provide enough examples, evidence, or explanation?

Both the Integrated and Independent writing tasks are assessed using these principles. Again, to score above 24, your writing must be clear, coherent, and mostly error-free.

Ask yourself: Did I actually complete the writing task fully? Were my arguments persuasive and logically supported? Did I avoid repeating the same sentence structures or vocabulary? If the answer is yes, and your score was significantly below expectation, then a rescore might reveal a more favorable assessment.

But if you recall that your essay felt rushed or lacked detail, a rescore may not result in much change.

Examples of When to Consider a Rescore

Let’s examine a few hypothetical scenarios to clarify when a rescore might be a good decision.

Scenario 1: The Confident Speaker
Maria, an international student, took the TOEFL for a graduate nursing program. She scored 24 on the speaking section but needed a 26. She was shocked. In her mock exams, she consistently scored between 26 and 28. She recorded her practice sessions and even had instructors praise her fluency, pronunciation, and coherence.

Maria remembered feeling calm and confident during her exam. Her responses were structured, and she didn’t rush or pause awkwardly. Given her preparation, performance history, and confidence, a rescore could be a logical move.

Scenario 2: The Anxious Essay Writer
Ahmed, a dentist applying for licensure, got a 22 in writing. He needed a 24. During the exam, he struggled to plan his Independent essay and had to rush the conclusion. He used repetitive phrases and made several grammar errors under pressure.

Though his Integrated writing was stronger, Ahmed knows his performance fell short. While disappointed, he admits that his writing did not meet the rubric demands. For him, a rescore might not be worth the risk or cost.

These scenarios show that belief in your performance isn’t based on desire—it’s based on analysis. If your belief stems from data, preparation, and self-awareness, then your confidence in requesting a rescore is well-founded.

The Role of Practice Scores and Instructor Feedback

One strong indicator of whether a rescore might succeed is your history with practice scores. If you consistently scored 26 or higher in speaking during simulations, it’s reasonable to expect a similar result on the real test—assuming nerves didn’t interfere. Likewise, if instructors or tutors evaluated your writing and noted near-perfect rubrics, that’s strong support for a rescore.

If, on the other hand, your practice scores hovered between 22 and 24, and you rarely met the criteria for higher bands, expecting a large score increase may be unrealistic.

Remember, your self-belief must be paired with evidence. Instructor feedback, peer evaluations, or even self-recordings you’ve reviewed can all help form a more objective view of your test performance.

Are You Close Enough to Your Target Score?

This connects with the previous point but adds another layer. Let’s say your speaking score is 25 and you need 26. In that case, a rescore makes more sense than if you received a 22. While it’s not impossible for a rescore to raise your score by more than two points, it’s rare.

Being close to your goal matters because the probability of a positive rescore result diminishes as the point gap increases. One or two points may be due to rater judgment or momentary misunderstanding, but four or more points usually reflect more substantive issues in performance.

Still, you must balance this probability with belief. If you feel your response was an 8 out of 10, but you received a 6, and you can justify that belief based on rubric criteria and previous scores, then a rescore might be worthwhile.

Emotional Factors: Confidence vs. Frustration

It’s important to distinguish between genuine belief and emotional reaction. Frustration is understandable when scores don’t reflect the effort you’ve invested. But frustration alone isn’t enough to justify a rescore.

Ask yourself if your confidence is based on performance or on how much you wanted a better outcome. Motivation is important, but a rescore request should come from a place of measured analysis, not impulse.

Try this method: write down three reasons why your response deserved a higher score. If those reasons align with the rubric and reflect real performance, not just your hopes, then that’s a good sign. If your reasons are vague or emotional—such as “I felt good,” or “I studied so hard”—pause and reflect more deeply.

Cost-Benefit Framing: Is Your Confidence Worth the Risk?

Even though the financial aspect will be discussed in more depth later in the series, it’s relevant here to think about the value of your confidence. If you are absolutely sure that your score was an underestimation, then an $80 fee might be a worthwhile investment. But if your confidence is shaky, and your belief is based more on optimism than evidence, then the same amount might be better spent on future preparation.

You’re not just asking if the test was unfair. You’re asking if a fresh pair of eyes will likely view your performance more favorably—because it meets the rubric, not because you hope they’re nicer.

Belief as an Informed Decision

In summary, belief in your TOEFL performance must come from reflection, not reaction. Trusting your instincts is valid, but your instincts must be informed by rubric knowledge, practice performance, and thoughtful self-assessment.

Here are the guiding questions to ask yourself before requesting a rescore:

• Did I speak or write with clarity, coherence, and structure?
• Did I fulfill the rubric expectations based on what I remember?
• Do I have previous scores or evaluations that support a higher score?
• Am I close enough to my target that a rescore could realistically help?
• Is my belief grounded in strategy, not frustration?

 How Close Are You to Your Goal? Setting Realistic Expectations for a TOEFL Rescore

The journey toward deciding whether to request a rescore on the speaking or writing section of the TOEFL iBT continues with one of the most practical considerations: your current score relative to your goal score. Understanding the likelihood that your score will improve—and by how much—is crucial to making an informed decision.

The Importance of Proximity: Why Your Current Score Matters

The TOEFL iBT speaking and writing scores range from 0 to 30, with many academic and professional programs requiring minimum section scores—often between 20 and 26. If your score already meets or exceeds these thresholds, the benefit of a rescore might be limited or even unnecessary.

Conversely, if your score falls far below your target, it’s important to recognize that the chances of a rescore producing a large jump are generally slim. Most rescoring results tend to vary by just one or two points, not by five or more.

Being close to your target score—typically within one or two points—is where a rescore has the highest probability of making a meaningful difference. Understanding this dynamic helps prevent false hope and guides your decision-making process.

What the Data Suggests: Typical Score Changes from a Rescore

While official data from the test administrators about rescore outcomes is limited, informal surveys and anecdotal evidence provide some insight. They indicate that approximately 20% to 30% of rescore requests result in a score increase, most often by one or two points.

Significant score changes—such as increases of three or more points—are very rare. Likewise, score decreases occur but are less common. The rescore process involves independent raters who apply the same standardized criteria as the initial raters, so the majority of scores remain stable.

This means that if your score is significantly below your target, it is unlikely that a rescore will close the gap entirely. However, if you are on the cusp, a one- or two-point boost could make a big difference.

Assessing Your Personal Score Gap

Start by comparing your current score to your target score. Subtract your score from your goal to find the difference.

• If the difference is 0 to 1 point, a rescore might refine your score upward or confirm it.
• If the difference is 2 points, a rescore could potentially bridge the gap.
• If the difference is 3 or more points, a rescore is less likely to close the entire gap.

For example, if your speaking score is 24 and you need a 26, a rescore could possibly help. But if you scored 20 and need 26, you should consider whether investing in a rescore is the best use of your time and money.

Realistic Expectations: What a Rescore Can and Cannot Do

It’s vital to recognize what a rescore entails and what it does not.

• What a Rescore Can Do: Reevaluate your original responses by independent raters, potentially identifying overlooked strengths or correcting misunderstandings. It might raise your score by one or two points.
• What a Rescore Cannot Do: Change the content of your answers, fix fundamental issues with your responses, or guarantee a high score.

If your performance contained significant errors, incomplete answers, or unclear language, a rescore cannot create quality where there was none. It is simply a check to ensure fairness and accuracy.

When a Rescore Might Not Be Worth It

There are cases when a rescore is unlikely to help and might even hurt your score.

• If you already met your goal, a rescore might risk a lower score.
• If your score is well below your target, it’s probably better to focus on improving your skills and retaking the test.
• If you feel unsure about the quality of your responses, a rescore may not be beneficial.

Taking the risk of a lower score—while rare—should factor into your decision.

Emotional Challenges of Waiting and Hope

Being close to your goal but falling short can be emotionally difficult. It’s natural to want to try every option to improve. However, managing expectations reduces disappointment.

Accept that even if a rescore doesn’t boost your score, this does not reflect a personal failure. Instead, it is part of the testing system’s design.

Balancing hope with realism helps maintain your motivation and focus for the next steps, whether retaking the exam or enhancing other parts of your application.

Strategic Alternatives to Rescore

If your score gap is large or uncertain, consider alternatives:

• Retaking the Test: If you have time, retaking the TOEFL after focused preparation often yields better results.
• Skill Improvement: Engage with targeted speaking or writing practice through tutors or language programs.
• Application Strategy: Strengthen other application components to compensate.

The Financial Gamble — Weighing Costs, Risks, and Rewards of a TOEFL Rescore

After exploring eligibility, personal confidence, and realistic score expectations in the previous parts, this final segment turns to the practical heart of the decision: the financial and strategic risk of requesting a TOEFL rescore. Money matters. Risk matters. But so does potential reward. How do you balance these forces to make the smartest choice?

The Cost of a Rescore: What You Need to Know

Currently, the fee for requesting a TOEFL speaking or writing rescore is $80. For many students, especially those funding exams themselves or on tight budgets, this amount is not trivial.

Understanding that this fee is non-negligible but potentially worthwhile is the first step. Compared to the cost of retaking the entire TOEFL exam—which runs several times higher—a rescore fee is a smaller financial risk if it improves your score enough to meet admission or licensure criteria.

However, it’s crucial to evaluate whether spending $80 on a rescore aligns with your odds of success and your financial situation. If paying $80 will strain your budget, it’s worth weighing if that money might be better invested in additional study materials, tutoring, or eventually retaking the exam.

The Odds of Success: What Are Your Chances?

No one can guarantee that your score will improve after a rescore, and the truth is the odds hover around 25% to 30% that your score will be raised.

This figure is derived from surveys and informal reports from TOEFL test takers who have requested rescoring. It is not an official statistic, but it gives a reasonable benchmark.

These odds underscore that a rescore is a gamble. You might gain points, you might not, and there’s a small chance your score could drop.

Because of this, many experts recommend only requesting a rescore if you are confident your score was unfairly low and are close to your goal score. For example, if you need a 24 but received a 22, a rescore might make sense. If you are far below the target or barely missed it, you may be better off focusing on improving your skills for a retake.

The Risk of Your Score Going Down

Though rare, your score could decrease after a rescore. This possibility understandably makes many students hesitant.

ETS raters use standardized criteria, but because rescoring is conducted independently and blind to the original score, differences in judgment can lead to lower scores.

While the risk is low, it’s not zero. Therefore, think carefully: if your current score meets the minimum for your goals, risking a lower score might not be worth it.

For example, if you scored exactly 100 overall (the minimum for your program) and request a rescore hoping for a bump, a lowered score could jeopardize your application.

Refund Policy: When Money Is Returned

The good news is that if your score increases after a rescore, your $80 fee is refunded.

This policy reduces the financial risk and makes rescoring more attractive to many test takers.

However, the fee is not refunded if your score remains the same or decreases. Thus, while money-back on improvement is a comforting cushion, it is not a guarantee.

Viewing the Rescore as a Financial Risk vs. Investment

Approach the rescore decision as you would any investment with risk.

• Risk: The $80 cost could be lost if your score does not improve.
• Reward: A higher score could open doors to programs, scholarships, or licensure that you might otherwise miss.

If the potential reward outweighs the risk and cost, a rescore is worthwhile. If the cost represents a significant financial strain or the likelihood of success feels low, it may not be.

Remember that money spent on a rescore is not the only cost. Time and emotional energy are involved, too.

Practical Advice: When to Go For It and When to Walk Away

To summarize practical decision points:

• If you are eligible, confident in your performance, and close to your goal score, the rescore is often worth the $80 fee.
• If your current score meets requirements, avoid risking a downward adjustment.
• If your score is well below your target, focus on preparing for a retake instead.
• If the financial cost is a serious concern, carefully weigh the odds and consider other investments in preparation.

Ultimately, the decision is yours and should align with your personal circumstances.

Emotional Considerations: Managing the Pressure

It’s natural to want to “do everything possible” to improve your score. This desire can lead to overthinking and feeling pressured to rescore when it may not be the best choice.

Remind yourself that the TOEFL is only one piece of your academic or professional journey. Your dedication to improving your language skills will pay off regardless of a rescore.

Consider the rescore as an opportunity, not a solution. Whether you proceed or not, your long-term success depends on continual growth.

Conclusion:

Requesting a TOEFL speaking or writing rescore is a nuanced decision involving eligibility, belief in your performance, score proximity, and financial considerations. It is a personal choice that balances hope, data, and risk.

This article series has guided you through these considerations to empower your decision-making.

Remember:

• Act within eligibility rules.
• Reflect honestly on your performance.
• Assess how close your score is to your goal.
• Evaluate the financial cost and risk.
• Make a choice that aligns with your confidence and circumstances.

Whichever path you choose, prepare diligently, believe in your growth, and trust that your efforts will open the doors you seek.