IELTS vs TOEFL: which English test should you take?
Nearly every university that requires English proof accepts both - so this is not an admissions decision, it's a fit-and-logistics one. The two tests reward slightly different strengths. Here's how to choose in an afternoon instead of second-guessing for weeks.
5 min read - Updated July 2026
The one difference that decides it for most people
The speaking section. TOEFL speaking is recorded: you talk into a microphone and a machine (plus a rater) scores it. IELTS speaking is a real face-to-face conversation with an examiner. If a live person makes you freeze, TOEFL suits you. If you speak better with a human than a microphone, IELTS does.
Everything else - reading, listening, writing - is close enough that it should not drive the decision.
Format and scoring, side by side
- TOEFL iBT: fully on-screen, scored 0-120 (four sections of 0-30). Most top US universities want ~100+; many programs accept 90+.
- IELTS Academic (take Academic, not General): scored in 0.5 bands from 0-9. Top universities typically want 7.0-7.5 overall, often with no section below 6.5.
- Both are accepted across the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and the EU. UK and Commonwealth universities have historically leaned IELTS; US universities have leaned TOEFL - but both accept both today. Always check each program's stated minimum.
Practical tips before you book
Take one free official practice test of each - the format that feels natural is your test. Book 2-3 months before your earliest application deadline so you have room for a retake. Scores are valid two years. Superscoring is rare for English tests, so aim to peak on one sitting.
Common questions
Does a higher English score improve my admission chances?
Only up to the threshold. Once you clear a program's minimum comfortably, a higher score adds little - admissions weight goes to academics, essays, and fit. Clear the bar, then stop optimizing.
Can I be waived out of the English test?
Often yes - if your medium of instruction was English for several years, or you scored well on the SAT/ACT English sections. Each university sets its own waiver rules; check before you pay for a test you may not need.
Which is easier?
Neither, on average. They test the same ability differently. The 'easier' one is whichever matches how you perform - which is exactly why the practice-test method beats asking around.