Is IELTS or TOEFL easier?

Neither test is objectively easier — it depends on your strengths. IELTS Speaking is often considered easier because you talk to a real person in a natural conversation, while TOEFL Speaking requires you to record responses into a microphone with strict time limits. On the other hand, TOEFL Reading is all multiple choice, which some find less stressful than IELTS Reading, which includes fill-in-the-blank and matching tasks. IELTS Writing requires two distinct tasks (report/letter + essay), while TOEFL Writing combines an integrated task (reading + listening + writing) and an independent essay. Most test takers who are comfortable with British English and face-to-face interaction prefer IELTS, while those familiar with American English and computer-based testing tend to prefer TOEFL.

Do all universities accept both IELTS and TOEFL?

The vast majority of universities worldwide now accept both IELTS and TOEFL. Over 12,500 organisations in 140+ countries accept IELTS, and TOEFL is accepted at 13,000+ institutions in 160+ countries. However, some institutions have a slight preference. UK universities historically preferred IELTS, while many US universities listed TOEFL first. Australian and Canadian universities equally accept both. Always check the specific admissions page of your target university — some programmes have minimum score requirements that differ between the two tests, and a few may accept only one.

How do I convert IELTS scores to TOEFL?

ETS (the maker of TOEFL) publishes an official concordance table. The most commonly referenced equivalencies are: IELTS 9.0 = TOEFL 118-120, IELTS 8.0 = TOEFL 110-114, IELTS 7.0 = TOEFL 94-101, IELTS 6.5 = TOEFL 79-93, IELTS 6.0 = TOEFL 60-78, IELTS 5.5 = TOEFL 46-59. Keep in mind that these are approximate ranges, and different institutions may use slightly different conversion thresholds. If you have already taken one test and need to meet a requirement stated for the other, contact the institution directly to confirm their accepted equivalency.

What changed in TOEFL 2026?

In January 2026, ETS launched a significantly redesigned TOEFL iBT. ETS quotes about 2 hours for the whole sitting; the four sections themselves add up to roughly 90 minutes (Reading 30, Listening 29, Writing 23, Speaking 8) and can vary slightly because Reading and Listening are now multistage-adaptive — the difficulty of the second half adjusts to how you did in the first. The scoring scale changed from the old 0-120 total (0-30 per section) to a new 1-6 scale per section with half-point increments. The Reading section now has fewer passages, Listening has shorter audio clips, and the Writing section refined its integrated task. New task types arrived too — Complete the Words, Read in Daily Life, Build a Sentence, Write an Email and Take an Interview — and results come within 72 hours. If you previously took the old TOEFL, your scores remain valid for 2 years; new test takers receive the 1-6 scale plus a comparable 0-120 score during the two-year transition.

Can I take both IELTS and TOEFL?

Yes, you can take both tests as many times as you want. There is no restriction on taking both IELTS and TOEFL, even in the same week. Some test takers sit for both to compare their scores and submit whichever result is stronger. Each attempt is a separate full fee, so a second sitting doubles the cost. A smarter strategy is to take a practice test for each format online, see which one suits your skills better, and then focus your preparation on that test.

Which test is cheaper — IELTS or TOEFL?

Both tests cost roughly the same, and the exact fee is set per country by the test centre or ETS, so check the local price before you compare. Additional costs to consider include late-registration and rescheduling fees, and score-report fees for sending results to additional institutions beyond the free ones included with registration. IELTS One Skill Retake costs less than a full re-test, giving IELTS an edge if you only miss your target in one section.

Which test gives faster results?

TOEFL generally delivers results fastest. TOEFL iBT scores are available online within roughly 72 hours (within 3 days) after the test. IELTS is now fully computer-delivered, with results typically released in 1-5 days. If you need results urgently — for example, to meet an approaching university deadline — both tests turn results around quickly. Both tests allow you to preview your scores before deciding whether to send them to institutions, which is useful if you are unsure about your performance.

Is IELTS better for immigration?

For immigration purposes, IELTS is generally the stronger choice. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK all accept IELTS for immigration applications. For Express Entry in Canada, IELTS General Training remains the most common choice; TOEFL iBT has also been accepted for Express Entry since 2024, but many Provincial Nominee Programs and immigration consultants still work IELTS-first. Australia accepts both IELTS and TOEFL for skilled migration visas, but IELTS is more commonly used and better understood by immigration agents. The UK requires IELTS for UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) for most visa categories. If your primary goal is immigration rather than university admission, IELTS is the safer and more widely accepted option.

IELTS — British Council, IDP & Cambridge · TOEFL iBT — ETS (Updated January 2026)

IELTS vs TOEFL 2026: Which English Test Should You Take?

The two most trusted English proficiency tests in the world, accepted by over 12,000 institutions each. With TOEFL's major format overhaul in January 2026 — shorter duration, adaptive testing, and a new scoring scale — the comparison has changed significantly. This guide breaks down every difference so you can choose the right test with confidence.

Updated October 13, 2026

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2026 TOEFL Format Update

In January 2026, ETS launched a completely redesigned TOEFL iBT. If you previously researched TOEFL, the information you found may be outdated. Here is what changed:

Shorter, adaptive sections: the four sections add up to roughly 90 minutes (Reading 30, Listening 29, Writing 23, Speaking 8); ETS quotes about 2 hours for the full sitting.
Adaptive testing: Question difficulty adjusts in real time based on your performance. Each test taker gets a personalised test.
New scoring scale: Each section is scored 1-6 (half-point increments) instead of the old 0-30 per section, and your overall score is the average of the four sections on the same 1-6 scale. A legacy 0-120 comparable score is shown during the 2026-2028 transition.
Refined tasks: Reading has fewer passages, Listening has shorter clips, and Writing integrates reading and listening more tightly.

All comparisons in this guide reflect the 2026 TOEFL format.

Side-by-Side Comparison

Both tests measure the same four skills — Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking — but the format, delivery, and scoring differ significantly.

Feature	IELTS	TOEFL iBT (2026)
Full Name	International English Language Testing System	Test of English as a Foreign Language
Administered By	British Council, IDP, Cambridge	ETS (Educational Testing Service)
Test Format	Computer-delivered (paper discontinued mid-2026)	Computer-based only (internet-delivered)
Total Duration	2 hours 45 minutes	About 2 hours (four sections ≈ 90 min; adaptive Reading/Listening)
Sections	Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking	Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking
Scoring Scale	Band 0-9 (half-band increments)	1-6 per section (2026); overall = average of the 4 sections
Speaking Format	Face-to-face interview with examiner	Recorded responses to computer prompts
Results Available	1-5 days (computer-delivered)	~72 hours (within 3 days)
Test Fee	Set per country by the test centre	Set per country by ETS
Score Validity	2 years	2 years
Test Frequency	Throughout the week on computer (dates vary by centre)	60+ dates per year
English Variant	British, Australian, New Zealand and North American accents	Primarily North American English

Section-by-Section Breakdown

Each section tests the same skill but in fundamentally different ways. Understanding these differences will help you decide which format suits you better.

Listening

IELTS Listening

A roughly 30-minute audio test. On the computer-delivered test you type answers as you listen, with about 2 minutes at the end to check them (there is no separate 10-minute transfer time). You hear each recording only once.

1.4 parts, 40 questions total
2.Mix of accents: British, Australian, American, Canadian
3.Question types: MCQ, matching, fill-in-the-blank, labelling
4.Progresses from everyday conversations to academic lectures

TOEFL Listening (2026)

Adaptive section with academic lectures and campus conversations. The number of questions and difficulty adjust based on how well you are performing.

1.Adaptive: fewer questions if you answer correctly
2.Primarily North American English accents
3.Mostly multiple-choice with some reorder/matching
4.Academic lectures and campus dialogues only

Reading

IELTS Reading

60 minutes to answer 40 questions based on 3 long passages taken from books, journals, and magazines. The texts are academic in nature for IELTS Academic.

1.3 passages, 40 questions, 60 minutes
2.Question types: T/F/NG, matching headings, fill gaps, MCQ, short answers
3.No transfer time — answers must be written during the 60 minutes
4.Spelling counts — incorrect spelling is marked wrong

TOEFL Reading (2026)

Shorter adaptive section with academic passages. Fewer questions than before, with difficulty scaling to your ability level.

1.Adaptive: number of passages varies (typically 2)
2.All multiple-choice — no fill-in-the-blank or matching headings
3.Includes vocabulary-in-context and inference questions
4.Academic passages from university-level textbooks

Writing

IELTS Writing

Task 1 (20 min, 150+ words)

Describe a chart, graph, table, diagram, or process. Summarise the key trends and make comparisons. No personal opinion required.

Task 2 (40 min, 250+ words)

Write an essay in response to an argument or problem. Discuss, evaluate, or present your opinion with supporting evidence. Carries more weight than Task 1.

TOEFL Writing (2026)

Integrated Task (~20 min)

Read a passage, listen to a lecture on the same topic, then write a response that synthesises both sources. Tests your ability to combine information.

Independent Task (~10 min)

Write a short essay expressing your opinion on an academic topic. The 2026 format emphasises concise, well-structured responses over length.

Speaking — The Biggest Difference

IELTS Speaking

A 11-14 minute face-to-face interview with a certified examiner. Many test takers find this more natural and less intimidating than speaking to a computer.

1.Part 1: Introduction and general questions (4-5 min)
2.Part 2: Long turn — speak for 2 minutes on a topic with cue card
3.Part 3: Two-way discussion on abstract topics (4-5 min)
4.Examiner can ask follow-up questions based on your answers

TOEFL Speaking (2026)

Record your responses into a microphone at a computer. You have strict preparation and response time limits. No human interaction during the test.

1.4 tasks: 1 independent + 3 integrated (reading/listening + speaking)
2.15-30 seconds prep time, 45-60 seconds response time per task
3.Responses recorded and graded by AI + human raters
4.No follow-up questions — one chance to give your best response

University Acceptance Around the World

Both IELTS and TOEFL are accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide. However, regional preferences exist. UK and Australia lean towards IELTS, while parts of Asia have traditionally favoured TOEFL. The gap is narrowing — most institutions now accept both.

Region	IELTS	TOEFL	Note
United States	Widely accepted (3,400+ institutions)	Preferred historically, universal acceptance	Most accept both. Some Ivy League schools list TOEFL first.
United Kingdom	Preferred (UKVI requires IELTS for visas)	Accepted at most universities	IELTS for UKVI is mandatory for visa applications.
Canada	Required for immigration (Express Entry)	Accepted for university admission and, since 2024, for Express Entry	IELTS still dominates for immigration. Both accepted for study.
Australia	Widely preferred for immigration + study	Accepted at most universities	IELTS is the standard for skilled migration visas.
Europe (EU)	Widely accepted across EU universities	Widely accepted across EU universities	Both equally accepted. Check individual programme.
Asia	Growing acceptance in Asia	Traditionally dominant in Japan, South Korea, China	TOEFL has historical edge in East Asia.

Score Conversion: IELTS Band to TOEFL Score

Universities often state their requirements in one test's scale. Use this table to convert between IELTS bands and TOEFL scores. The old TOEFL 0-120 scale is included for reference, alongside the new 2026 scale.

For example, an IELTS 7.0 is approximately equivalent to a TOEFL 94-101 (old scale) or 4.0-4.5 (2026 scale).

IELTS Band	TOEFL (Old: 0-120)	TOEFL 2026 (1-6)	CEFR Level
9.0	118-120	6.0	Expert User
8.5	115-117	5.5-6.0	Very Good User
8.0	110-114	5.0-5.5	Very Good User
7.5	102-109	4.5-5.0	Good User
7.0	94-101	4.0-4.5	Good User
6.5	79-93	3.5-4.0	Competent User
6.0	60-78	3.0-3.5	Competent User
5.5	46-59	2.5-3.0	Modest User
5.0	35-45	2.0-2.5	Modest User
4.5	32-34	1.5-2.0	Limited User
4.0	0-31	1.0-1.5	Limited User

Important Note on Score Conversion

These conversions are approximate and based on the ETS concordance tables. Different institutions may use slightly different thresholds. The 2026 TOEFL scores are still being calibrated, and concordance tables may be updated by ETS as more data becomes available. Always check directly with your target institution for the most current accepted scores.

To turn your four module scores into an overall band and see its CEFR, TOEFL iBT and PTE equivalents, use the IELTS band calculator.

Which Test Is Easier?

There is no simple answer — it depends on your strengths, test-taking style, and English background. Here is an honest skill-by-skill analysis.

Speaking

IELTS is easier for most

Most test takers find IELTS Speaking easier because you are talking to a real person. The examiner can smile, nod, and repeat questions — making the experience feel like a natural conversation. TOEFL Speaking requires you to record monologues under strict time pressure with no human feedback, which many find stressful and unnatural. If you are an extrovert who communicates well in person, IELTS has a clear advantage.

Reading

TOEFL is easier for most

TOEFL Reading is entirely multiple-choice — you select the best answer from options. IELTS Reading includes True/False/Not Given, matching headings, sentence completion, and fill-in-the-blank, which require more varied skills and exact spelling. Many test takers who struggle with IELTS Reading find TOEFL's format less demanding because the answer is always one of the given choices.

Writing

Depends on your style

IELTS Writing is straightforward — describe data and write an essay. TOEFL Writing includes an integrated task where you must read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write about both. If you are strong at synthesising information from multiple sources, TOEFL may suit you. If you prefer standalone tasks where you focus purely on writing quality, IELTS is the better choice. The 2026 TOEFL also shortened the independent essay, favouring concise writers.

Listening

Roughly equal

Both tests feature challenging listening sections. IELTS includes a wider variety of accents (British, Australian, American) and more question types, while TOEFL focuses on North American English in academic settings. On the computer-delivered IELTS you type answers as you listen and get about 2 minutes to review them at the end. The 2026 adaptive TOEFL may feel easier or harder depending on your ability level, as it adjusts difficulty in real time. Most test takers find these sections comparable in difficulty.

The Bottom Line

If you prefer human interaction, diverse question types, and British English — choose IELTS. If you prefer all-computer testing, multiple-choice formats, and American English — choose TOEFL. The best strategy is to take a free practice test of each and see which format feels more comfortable. Your score will be higher on the test that matches your natural test-taking style.

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IELTS Vocabulary List

Essential vocabulary for IELTS Academic and General Training.

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IELTS Writing Samples

Band 7-9 sample answers for Task 1 and Task 2.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about choosing between IELTS and TOEFL in 2026.

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