Question 1

Is IELTS or TOEFL easier?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 2

Do all universities accept both IELTS and TOEFL?

Accepted Answer

The vast majority of universities worldwide now accept both IELTS and TOEFL. Over 12,000 institutions in 150+ countries accept IELTS, and TOEFL is accepted at 12,500+ institutions in 165+ 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.

Question 3

How do I convert IELTS scores to TOEFL?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 4

What changed in TOEFL 2026?

Accepted Answer

In January 2026, ETS launched a significantly redesigned TOEFL iBT. The test is now shorter — 67 to 85 minutes compared to the previous 2 hours. The new format is adaptive, meaning question difficulty adjusts based on your performance. 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. ETS also introduced more flexible scheduling with increased test dates worldwide. If you previously took the old TOEFL, your scores remain valid for 2 years, but new test takers will receive scores on the new scale.

Question 5

Can I take both IELTS and TOEFL?

Accepted Answer

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. However, each test has its own registration fee ($245-260 for IELTS, $200-325 for TOEFL depending on location), so taking both can be expensive. 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.

Question 6

Which test is cheaper — IELTS or TOEFL?

Accepted Answer

Both tests cost roughly the same, but prices vary by country. IELTS typically costs between $245 and $260 USD worldwide. TOEFL iBT ranges from $200 to $325 USD depending on your location — it tends to be slightly cheaper in Asia and slightly more expensive in parts of Europe and the Middle East. Additional costs to consider include late registration fees ($40 for TOEFL), rescheduling fees ($60 for TOEFL, varies for IELTS), 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.

Question 7

Which test gives faster results?

Accepted Answer

TOEFL generally delivers results faster. TOEFL iBT scores are available online within 4-8 days after the test. IELTS computer-delivered results come in 3-5 days, while IELTS paper-based results take 13 calendar days. If you need results urgently — for example, to meet an approaching university deadline — IELTS computer-delivered or TOEFL are your best options. 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.

Question 8

Is IELTS better for immigration?

Accepted Answer

For immigration purposes, IELTS is generally the stronger choice. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK all accept IELTS for immigration applications. Canada specifically requires IELTS General Training for Express Entry and most Provincial Nominee Programs — TOEFL is accepted for some study permits but not for immigration pathways like Express Entry. 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.

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	Paper-based or Computer-delivered	Computer-based only (internet-delivered)
Total Duration	2 hours 45 minutes	67-85 minutes (2026 adaptive format)
Sections	Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking	Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking
Scoring Scale	Band 1-9 (half-band increments)	1-6 per section (2026), total 4-24
Speaking Format	Face-to-face interview with examiner	Recorded responses to computer prompts
Results Available	3-5 days (computer) / 13 days (paper)	4-8 days
Test Fee	$245-260 USD (varies by country)	$200-325 USD (varies by country)
Score Validity	2 years	2 years
Test Frequency	Up to 4 times per month	60+ dates per year
English Variant	British, Australian, American accents	Primarily North American English

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	IELTS 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.

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

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

2026 TOEFL Format Update

Side-by-Side Comparison

Section-by-Section Breakdown

Listening

IELTS Listening

TOEFL Listening (2026)

Reading

IELTS Reading

TOEFL Reading (2026)

Writing

IELTS Writing

TOEFL Writing (2026)

Speaking — The Biggest Difference

IELTS Speaking

TOEFL Speaking (2026)

University Acceptance Around the World

Score Conversion: IELTS Band to TOEFL Score

Important Note on Score Conversion

Which Test Is Easier?

Speaking

Reading

Writing

Listening

The Bottom Line

Explore More IELTS Resources

IELTS Overview

Academic vs General

IELTS Academic

IELTS for Canada PR

IELTS Vocabulary List

IELTS Writing Samples

Frequently Asked Questions