IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Test Should You Take?

If you need to prove your English proficiency for university admission, immigration, or professional registration, you will likely choose between IELTS and TOEFL. Both are globally recognised, both test the same four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), and both are accepted by thousands of institutions.

But they are fundamentally different tests. The format, the scoring, the question types, and the skills they emphasise are all different. Choosing the wrong one can mean scoring lower than your actual ability — not because your English is weak, but because the test format does not suit your strengths.

This guide compares IELTS and TOEFL across every dimension that matters: format, scoring, difficulty, acceptance, and which test favours which type of learner.

Quick Comparison

Feature	IELTS	TOEFL iBT
Duration	2 hours 45 minutes	Approximately 2 hours
Scoring	0-9 band scale (0.5 increments)	0-120 (sum of 4 sections, each 0-30)
Speaking format	Face-to-face with an examiner	Speaking into a microphone (recorded)
Writing format	Handwritten (paper) or typed (computer)	Always typed
Accent	British, Australian, American, Canadian	Primarily North American
Reading style	Various text types, shorter passages	Academic passages, longer texts
Test versions	Academic and General Training	One version (academic focus)
Score validity	2 years	2 years
Cost	Approximately $245 USD (varies by country)	Approximately $200-250 USD

Format Differences

Listening

IELTS: 30 minutes, 4 sections. You hear each recording once. Questions include fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, matching, and map labelling. Accents include British, Australian, American, and Canadian.

TOEFL: Approximately 36 minutes. Academic lectures and conversations. All multiple choice. Primarily North American accents.

Who it favours: IELTS favours candidates who are good at spelling and detail (fill-in-the-blank requires exact answers). TOEFL favours candidates who are strong at understanding academic lectures and selecting correct answers from options.

Reading

IELTS Academic: 60 minutes, 3 passages, 40 questions. Texts come from books, journals, newspapers, and magazines. Question types: True/False/Not Given, matching headings, fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice.

TOEFL: 35 minutes, 2 passages, 20 questions. Texts are exclusively academic. All multiple choice plus "insert a sentence" questions.

Who it favours: IELTS favours candidates who handle diverse question types well. TOEFL favours candidates who are comfortable with dense academic texts and multiple choice.

Writing

IELTS Academic: 60 minutes, 2 tasks. Task 1: describe a chart, graph, table, or diagram (150+ words). Task 2: essay on a given topic (250+ words).

TOEFL: 30 minutes, 1 task. An integrated task where you read a passage, listen to a lecture, then write an essay explaining how the lecture addresses the reading (150-225 words recommended).

Who it favours: IELTS tests your ability to structure arguments independently. TOEFL tests your ability to synthesise information from reading and listening into a written response. If you are stronger at forming your own opinions, IELTS may suit you. If you are better at summarising and integrating, TOEFL may suit you.

For tips on improving your IELTS Writing score, see how to improve from 6.0 to 7.0 in Writing.

Speaking

IELTS: 11-14 minutes, face-to-face interview with an examiner. Three parts: personal questions, long turn (2-minute monologue), discussion.

TOEFL: Approximately 16 minutes, speaking into a microphone. Four tasks: independent opinion, integrated tasks (reading + listening + speaking).

Who it favours: IELTS favours candidates who are comfortable with conversation and can think on their feet. TOEFL favours candidates who are comfortable speaking into a microphone without feedback and integrating information from multiple sources.

Scoring Comparison

Score Equivalency Table

IELTS Band	TOEFL Score	Level
9.0	118-120	Expert
8.5	115-117	Very high
8.0	110-114	Very good
7.5	102-109	Good
7.0	94-101	Competent
6.5	79-93	Competent
6.0	60-78	Adequate
5.5	46-59	Modest
5.0	35-45	Limited

Note: These equivalencies are approximate. Different institutions may use slightly different conversion tables.

Which Scoring System Is Better?

IELTS uses half-band increments (5.5, 6.0, 6.5...), which means small improvements may not be reflected in your score. You could improve significantly but still receive the same band.

TOEFL uses a 0-120 scale with integer scores, which provides finer granularity. A small improvement is more likely to show up in your TOEFL score.

However, this granularity can also work against you. Institutions that require "TOEFL 100" will reject a score of 99, while an institution requiring "IELTS 7.0" effectively accepts anyone from 6.75 upward (due to rounding).

Which Test Is Easier?

Neither test is objectively easier. They test different things in different ways, and your relative performance depends on your strengths.

IELTS may be easier if you:

• Prefer face-to-face conversation over speaking into a microphone
• Are good at writing structured arguments independently
• Handle a variety of question types well (not just multiple choice)
• Are comfortable with British/Australian English accents
• Need a General Training version for immigration purposes

TOEFL may be easier if you:

• Are comfortable with exclusively academic content
• Prefer multiple-choice questions
• Are strong at integrating information from reading and listening
• Are comfortable speaking into a microphone without feedback
• Are more familiar with North American English

Where Each Test Is Accepted

IELTS

• Accepted by over 11,000 organisations worldwide
• The standard for UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada immigration
• Required for UK university applications (UKVI IELTS for visa purposes)
• Widely accepted for US universities (most US schools accept both)
• Required for most Australian and Canadian immigration pathways

TOEFL

• Accepted by over 12,000 institutions worldwide
• Historically the standard for US and Canadian university admissions
• Increasingly accepted in the UK, Australia, and Europe
• Not typically accepted for UK immigration (UKVI requires IELTS or equivalent)
• Not accepted for most Australian and Canadian immigration applications

For immigration: If you are applying for Canadian, Australian, or UK immigration, you almost certainly need IELTS (General Training for Canada and Australia, Academic for some UK visas). TOEFL is generally not accepted for immigration purposes in these countries.

For Canadian immigration specifically, see our guide on IELTS scores for Canadian immigration 2026.

For university: Most universities worldwide accept both tests. Check your target institution's website for specific requirements.

How to Decide

Ask yourself these questions:

1. Does my target institution or immigration program specify one test? If yes, take that test. End of decision.

2. Am I applying for immigration? If to Canada, Australia, or the UK, take IELTS. TOEFL is generally not accepted.

3. Do I prefer speaking to a person or a microphone? If a person, IELTS. If you get nervous with live interviews, TOEFL.

4. Am I stronger at forming independent arguments or synthesising information? Independent arguments → IELTS. Synthesising → TOEFL.

5. Which accents am I more comfortable with? British/Australian → IELTS. North American → TOEFL.

6. Do I prefer diverse question types or mostly multiple choice? Diverse → IELTS. Multiple choice → TOEFL.

If multiple factors point in different directions, take an official practice test for each and compare your scores.

Can I Take Both?

Yes, and some candidates do — especially if they are applying to institutions in multiple countries. Your IELTS and TOEFL scores are independent, and taking one does not affect the other. However, preparing for two different test formats simultaneously can be inefficient. Most candidates benefit from focusing on one test and practising intensively for that format.

For detailed guidance on how IELTS Writing is scored, see IELTS writing band descriptors explained.

Quick Reference: Decision Flowchart

1. Immigration to Canada/Australia/UK? → Take IELTS
2. US university only? → Either works; TOEFL is slightly more traditional
3. UK university? → IELTS (especially UKVI IELTS for visa purposes)
4. Comfortable with live interviews? → IELTS Speaking may suit you
5. Stronger at note-taking and integration? → TOEFL may suit you
6. Not sure? → Try a practice test for each and compare

Prepare for IELTS Writing

If you have chosen IELTS, start preparing your Writing now. Submit an essay and receive detailed feedback across all four scoring criteria.

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