Almost every international student needs to prove English proficiency, and IELTS and TOEFL are the two most widely accepted tests. Both are respected, but they suit different test-takers. Choosing the right one can make a real difference to your score.
The quick answer
- Choose IELTS if you prefer face-to-face speaking, a mix of question types, and you are applying mainly to the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Canada or Ireland.
- Choose TOEFL iBT if you are comfortable typing, prefer a fully computer-based test, and you are applying mainly to the United States.
- Always check what your universities and visa route accept before booking.
Format comparison
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery | Paper or computer at a test centre; IELTS Online in some countries | Computer at a test centre or at home |
| Speaking | Face-to-face interview with an examiner (or by video) | Recorded responses to a computer |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking |
| Duration | About 2 hours 45 minutes | Under 90 minutes since the January 2026 update |
| Scoring | Bands 0 to 9 (half bands) | Bands from 1 to 6 in half points since January 2026; a comparable 0 to 120 score is also shown during a two-year transition |
| Results | Usually 1 to 5 days (computer) or around 13 days (paper) | Usually within a few days to two weeks |
Differences that affect your score
Speaking
IELTS speaking is a conversation with a person, which many students find more natural. TOEFL speaking is recorded, timed and has no human interaction. If you get nervous talking to people, TOEFL may suit you; if you freeze when talking to a computer, choose IELTS.
Writing
TOEFL writing is typed and includes integrated tasks that combine reading or listening with writing. IELTS writing includes describing a chart or diagram and writing an essay. Fast typists often prefer TOEFL.
Accents and content
TOEFL is based on North American academic English. IELTS uses a range of accents (British, Australian, North American and others) and broader everyday topics.
Visa considerations
Some visa routes have specific requirements. For example, if you need an English test for a UK visa rather than for university admission, check the UK government’s list of approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT). IELTS for UKVI is the most common option. For most US universities, TOEFL and IELTS are both accepted.
What about other tests?
- Duolingo English Test: online, short and affordable; accepted by many universities, especially in the US and Canada.
- PTE Academic: computer-based with fast results; widely accepted in Australia, New Zealand and the UK.
- Medium of instruction letter: some universities waive tests if your previous degree was taught in English. See our guide to admission without IELTS.
PTE Academic, the Cambridge English qualifications and the Duolingo English Test are accepted by some universities and scholarships and not by others. They make sense only when every place on your list accepts them. KAUST, for example, accepts PTE and Cambridge scores but not Duolingo, while Schwarzman Scholars accepts Duolingo. If even one of your universities does not accept a test, choose IELTS or TOEFL.
How to decide in 4 steps
- List the English requirements of every university and scholarship you are applying to.
- Take a free official practice test for both IELTS and TOEFL.
- Compare your practice results using the universities’ minimum scores.
- Book the test with the better result, leaving time for one retake before your deadlines.
What changed in TOEFL in 2026
The TOEFL iBT was redesigned on 21 January 2026. If you are using a preparation book or videos from before that date, you are preparing for a test that no longer exists. The main changes, as reported by universities and Fulbright testing centres:
- A new score scale: scores are now reported on a scale from 1 to 6, in half points, for each section and overall. The scale is linked to the European language levels (A1 to C2).
- Both scales for two years: during a two-year transition, score reports also show a comparable score on the old 0 to 120 scale.
- A shorter, adaptive test: the Reading and Listening sections now adapt to your level as you answer, and the whole test takes less than 90 minutes.
- Validity: scores remain valid for two years.
Check the official ETS website for the current format before you book, and use only preparation material made for the 2026 test.
How to read minimum scores on two scales
Universities are updating their requirements at different speeds. Some now state the new scale, some state both, and some still show only the old one. Examples from official pages we checked in October 2026:
- KAUST: TOEFL iBT 5 overall with at least 4.5 in each section, or IELTS 7 with 6.5 in each section.
- Schwarzman Scholars: TOEFL iBT 100, or 5 on the 6-point scale, or IELTS 7.
- The Erasmus Mundus master’s in European Politics and Society: IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 95.
If a university shows only the old 0 to 120 number, your score report’s comparable score answers it. If you are not sure, e-mail the admissions office and keep the reply.
Check what your own list accepts
Do not choose a test before you have checked every university and scholarship on your list. Make a small table:
| University or scholarship | IELTS minimum | TOEFL minimum | Other tests accepted | Score needed by |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example A | 7.0, with 6.5 in each section | 5, with 4.5 in each section | PTE, Cambridge | Before enrolment |
| Example B | 6.5 | Not stated on the new scale | None | Application deadline |
Three things decide your choice: which tests every place on your list accepts, the minimum for each section and not only the overall score, and the date by which the score must be ready. Some universities need the score to be valid on the application deadline and ignore tests taken later.
A worked decision
Suppose Ahmed is applying to five universities. All five accept IELTS and four accept TOEFL. On practice tests he does better in typed writing than in handwriting, but he is more comfortable speaking to a person than to a microphone. Because one university accepts only IELTS, IELTS covers his whole list with one test. He chooses the computer-delivered IELTS, so he can type, and books it ten weeks before his first deadline, which leaves time for one more attempt. The right test for you is the one that all your universities accept and that fits your strengths.
Booking and timing
- Book six to eight weeks ahead. Test dates near deadlines fill up.
- Take the test at least two months before your first deadline, so that you can repeat it if you need to.
- Use the name on your passport, exactly, when you register.
- Send official scores to your universities in the way each one asks. Some want the score sent by the test provider, and others accept an upload.
- Compare the test fee, the cost of a retake and the travel to the test centre before you choose.
Common mistakes
- Choosing by reputation: "TOEFL for America, IELTS for Britain" is too simple. Most universities accept both.
- Ignoring section minimums: a good overall score with one low section can still fail the requirement.
- Using old TOEFL material: the format changed in January 2026.
- Taking the wrong version: some visa routes need a specific approved test. Check before you book.
- Booking too late: a score that arrives after the deadline is no use.
A four-week preparation plan
- Week 1: take one full official practice test under timed conditions. Note your weakest section.
- Week 2: work on that section for 45 minutes a day, and learn how it is scored.
- Week 3: practise speaking and writing with a timer. Record yourself, or ask a teacher to mark two answers.
- Week 4: take a second full practice test. If you are within half a band of your target, sit the real test. If not, move the booking and repeat weeks 2 and 3.
Frequently asked questions
How many times can I take the test?
You can take either test again if you need a higher score. Leave enough time before your deadline for a second attempt and for the result to arrive.
Should I take the test at home or at a test centre?
Both tests have online or home versions in some places, but not every university or visa route accepts them. Check with each university before you book. A test taken at an official test centre is the safest choice when you are not sure.
Which test is easier?
Neither is easier for everyone. Take a free official practice test for each one and compare your results.
How long are scores valid?
IELTS and TOEFL scores are normally treated as valid for two years.
My university lists TOEFL 90. What is that on the new scale?
During the transition period, your score report shows a comparable score on the old scale beside your new bands, so you can check it directly. Use the official ETS comparison, not unofficial converters.
Do scholarships prefer one test?
Scholarships usually accept what the university accepts. Check each one. Some accept other tests as well, and some do not accept Duolingo.
Can I avoid the test completely?
Sometimes. See our guide to admission without IELTS.
Confirm current formats. Test formats and scoring are updated from time to time. Check the official IELTS and ETS TOEFL websites before you book.
Scholarships with the nearest deadlines
| Scholarship | Funding | Stipend | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
| OIST Research Internship 2027 in Japan | Fully funded | 2,400 yen per working day, plus one round trip and shared on-campus housing | 15 Oct 2026 |
| Kochi University of Technology SSP Scholarship in Japan | Fully funded | 150,000 yen a month for 3 years, plus fee exemptions | 16 Oct 2026 |
| CERN Administrative Student Programme 2027 in Switzerland | Fully funded | 3,486 Swiss francs a month, tax free | 16 Oct 2026 |
| CERN Technical Student Programme 2027 in Switzerland | Fully funded | Monthly net allowance of 3,486 Swiss francs | 16 Oct 2026 |
| Canada Graduate Research Scholarship – Doctoral | Fully funded | CAD 40,000 per year | 17 Oct 2026 |
| Commonwealth Scholarships 2027/28 in the UK | Fully funded | 1,712 pounds a month, or 2,000 pounds a month at universities in the London area (current rates) | 20 Oct 2026 |
| EUI Jean Monnet Fellowships 2027–28 in Italy | Partial | Basic grant of 2,850 euros per month | 23 Oct 2026 |
| Honjo International Scholarship 2027 in Japan | Partial | 230,000 yen a month (degree of 1 to 2 years), 210,000 yen a month (3-year degree) or 180,000 yen a month (degree longer than 3 years) | 31 Oct 2026 |
| Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships 2027–28 in Switzerland | Partial | CHF 2,450 per month for living costs | 31 Oct 2026 |
| University of Melbourne Graduate Research Scholarships 2027 in Australia | Fully funded | 41,100 Australian dollars a year (2027 rate), plus a full fee offset | 31 Oct 2026 (expected) |
This list updates itself from our scholarships page. Stipend figures are shown where the provider publishes them. See all scholarships.
