IELTS or TOEFL: Which Test Should You Take?
IELTS vs TOEFL for university, scholarships, work and migration: how the formats differ, how Speaking is assessed, and how to pick the right test for your goal.
The short answer
Take the test your target institution accepts. That is the only rule that really matters. Many universities accept both, but scholarships, visas and professional registration often accept only one, or only a specific version.
If both are accepted, choose the format that suits how you study and how you speak.
Who usually asks for what
| Goal | Commonly required |
|---|---|
| University in the UK, Australia, New Zealand | IELTS (TOEFL is often accepted too; check each university) |
| University in the United States | TOEFL iBT or IELTS; most accept both |
| UK, Australian or Canadian visas and migration | IELTS (for the UK: IELTS for UKVI) |
| Scholarships | Depends on the scholarship's rules |
Do not rely on this table for the final decision. Check the language requirements page of your university, scholarship or visa authority, including the minimum score for each section.
How the formats differ
IELTS tests Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Writing has two tasks (a chart report or a letter, then an essay). Speaking is a conversation with a human examiner in three parts. Scores are bands from 1 to 9.
TOEFL iBT also tests all four skills, but entirely on a computer, including Speaking: you record your answers into a microphone instead of talking to a person. ETS updated the TOEFL iBT format and score scale from 2026, so check the latest details on the official ETS website.
TOEFL ITP is a paper-based test for institutional use. It does not test Speaking or Writing, and it is generally not accepted for studying abroad.
Which suits you better
Choose IELTS if:
- You are more comfortable talking to a person than recording yourself on a computer.
- You are heading to the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand, especially for a visa.
- You want to handwrite your Writing answers (paper-based IELTS is still available).
Choose TOEFL iBT if:
- You are used to fully computer-based tests.
- You are heading to the United States and your university treats both tests the same.
The part that decides your score
In both tests, most candidates get stuck on Writing and Speaking: underdeveloped essay arguments, inconsistent grammar and Speaking answers that are too short. These are also the hardest parts to mark on your own.
If you choose IELTS, take a free IELTS mock test online to see your estimated Writing and Speaking band for each criterion, and use the IELTS score calculator for your Listening and Reading practice tests.
Keep reading
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