TOEFL vs IELTS: Which Should You Take in 2025?

Quick Overview

If you need to prove your English proficiency for university admission, visa applications, or professional registration, you will most likely choose between TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System). These are the two most widely accepted English language tests in the world, and understanding their differences is the first step to making the right choice.

Both tests assess your ability in four core language skills: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. Both are accepted by thousands of universities, immigration authorities, and professional bodies worldwide. However, they differ significantly in format, scoring, availability, and the contexts in which each is preferred.

Test Format Comparison

The fundamental difference between TOEFL and IELTS lies in their test delivery format and philosophy. TOEFL iBT is entirely computer-based, while IELTS offers both paper-based and computer-based options.

Feature	TOEFL iBT	IELTS Academic
Duration	Approximately 3 hours	2 hours 45 minutes (plus 11-14 min speaking)
Delivery mode	Computer-based only	Paper or computer-based
Speaking section	Recorded via microphone (computer)	Face-to-face interview with examiner
Listening accents	Primarily North American	British, Australian, American, Canadian
Question types	Primarily multiple-choice	Multiple-choice, matching, True/False/Not Given, short answer, essay
Note-taking	Allowed throughout	Allowed (paper provided)
Number of test dates	60+ per year	48 per year (paper), more frequent (computer)
Result turnaround	6-10 days	13 days (paper), 3-5 days (computer)
Result validity	2 years	2 years

Scoring Systems Compared

TOEFL and IELTS use completely different scoring systems, which can make direct comparison confusing. Here is the official concordance table:

IELTS Band	TOEFL iBT Score Range	CEFR Level	Level Description
9.0	118-120	C2	Expert user
8.5	115-117	C1-C2	Very good user
8.0	110-114	C1	Very good user
7.5	102-109	C1	Good user
7.0	94-101	C1	Good user
6.5	79-93	B2	Competent user
6.0	60-78	B2	Competent user
5.5	46-59	B1-B2	Modest user
5.0	35-45	B1	Modest user
4.5	32-34	A2-B1	Limited user
4.0	0-31	A2	Limited user

Universities and organisations typically publish score requirements for both tests, so always check the specific requirements of your target institution. A common university requirement of IELTS 6.5 typically equates to TOEFL iBT 79-93.

Section-by-Section Breakdown

Reading

TOEFL iBT Reading: You will read 3-4 academic passages of approximately 700 words each and answer 30-40 multiple-choice questions. The passages are taken from university-level textbooks. You have 54-72 minutes to complete this section. All questions are multiple-choice, and the vocabulary questions are often considered straightforward.

IELTS Academic Reading: You will read 3 passages of increasing difficulty and answer 40 questions of various types including multiple-choice, True/False/Not Given, matching headings, sentence completion, and short answer questions. You have 60 minutes. The variety of question types and the infamous "Not Given" option make this section challenging for many test-takers.

Listening

TOEFL iBT Listening: You will listen to 3-4 lectures and 2-3 conversations, all in academic settings. Questions are multiple-choice and you have 41-57 minutes. You can take notes and refer to them when answering. The content is entirely academic.

IELTS Listening: You will listen to 4 recordings: a social conversation, a monologue in a social context, a conversation in an educational context, and an academic monologue. You have 30 minutes plus 10 minutes to transfer answers to the answer sheet. Question types include multiple-choice, matching, map/plan/diagram labelling, form completion, and sentence completion.

Writing

TOEFL iBT Writing: Two tasks. Task 1 (Integrated) involves reading a passage, listening to a lecture, and writing a response that summarises the relationship between them (20 minutes, 150-225 words). Task 2 (Independent) is an essay on a given topic expressing your opinion (30 minutes, 300+ words).

IELTS Academic Writing: Two tasks. Task 1 (20 minutes, 150 words) requires describing a graph, chart, table, diagram, or process. Task 2 (40 minutes, 250 words) is an essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem. Task 2 carries twice the marks of Task 1.

Speaking

TOEFL iBT Speaking: Four tasks completed by speaking into a microphone. Tasks 1 is independent (express an opinion). Tasks 2-4 are integrated (read, listen, then speak). The entire section takes 17 minutes. Your responses are recorded and scored by human raters and AI scoring.

IELTS Speaking: A face-to-face interview with a certified examiner lasting 11-14 minutes. Part 1 (4-5 min) is general questions about yourself. Part 2 (3-4 min) is a long turn where you speak for 2 minutes on a given topic. Part 3 (4-5 min) is a two-way discussion on abstract issues related to Part 2. Many candidates find the human interaction less stressful than speaking to a computer.

For University Admission

Both TOEFL and IELTS are widely accepted by universities worldwide. Your choice may depend on where you plan to study:

Region	Preferred Test	Notes
United States	TOEFL preferred	Most US universities list TOEFL first; both widely accepted
United Kingdom	IELTS strongly preferred	IELTS developed in UK; UKVI IELTS required for visas
Canada	Both equally accepted	Many Canadian universities accept both; IELTS popular for immigration
Australia	IELTS preferred	IELTS developed partly in Australia; required for visas
New Zealand	IELTS preferred	Required for NZ immigration
Europe (non-UK)	Both accepted	Many programmes taught in English accept both

If you are applying to universities in multiple countries, IELTS offers broader global acceptance, particularly if you are considering the UK, Australia, or Canada where IELTS is the standard for both university admission and immigration.

For Visa Applications

When it comes to visa applications, the choice between TOEFL and IELTS becomes more clearly defined:

UK Visa

The UK Home Office only accepts IELTS for UKVI (or other approved SELT tests like PTE Academic UKVI, LanguageCert, or Trinity). Standard TOEFL is not accepted for any UK visa application. If you need a UK visa, you must take a SELT test, and IELTS UKVI is the most widely available option.

US Visa

The US does not have a specific English language requirement for most non-immigrant visas. However, if you are applying for a student visa (F-1), you will need to show acceptance at a university, and that university will have English requirements. Both TOEFL and IELTS are accepted by virtually all US universities.

Canadian Immigration

Canada accepts both IELTS (General Training) and TOEFL for Express Entry and other immigration programmes. However, IELTS is the more commonly used test for Canadian immigration purposes, and the scoring system aligns more directly with Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB).

Australian Visa

Australia accepts IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, and Cambridge tests for most visa categories. IELTS is the most commonly used and widely recognised test for Australian immigration.

For Professional Registration

Healthcare professionals and other regulated workers often need English certification for professional body registration:

• General Medical Council (UK doctors) - Accepts IELTS (7.5 overall) and OET. Does NOT accept TOEFL.
• Nursing and Midwifery Council (UK nurses) - Accepts IELTS (7.0 overall) and OET. Does NOT accept TOEFL.
• General Dental Council - Accepts IELTS and OET. Does NOT accept TOEFL.
• Engineering Council - Varies; many engineering bodies accept both TOEFL and IELTS.
• Teaching Council - Varies by country; IELTS generally preferred in UK, Australia, and Canada.

If you are a healthcare professional seeking to work in the UK, Australia, or Ireland, IELTS or OET are your only viable options. TOEFL is not accepted by any UK healthcare regulator.

Cost and Availability

Feature	TOEFL iBT	IELTS Academic
Test fee (typical)	$200-$250 USD (varies by country)	£175-£220 GBP / $215-$250 USD
Additional score reports	$20 each	Free to 5 institutions, then fee applies
Rescheduling fee	$60	Varies by test centre
Score review (one section)	$80	£110-£170
Number of test centres worldwide	4,500+ test centres in 190 countries	1,400+ centres in 140 countries
Test frequency	60+ times per year	48+ times per year (paper)

Both tests are similarly priced and widely available. TOEFL has more test centres globally, while IELTS has broader acceptance for immigration purposes.

Which Test is Harder?

There is no definitive answer to which test is harder, as difficulty depends on your individual strengths and preferences:

You might find TOEFL harder if:

• You are not comfortable with computer-based testing for extended periods
• Speaking into a microphone feels unnatural or stressful
• You struggle with North American accents
• You prefer varied question types over multiple-choice
• You are uncomfortable with integrated tasks (combining reading, listening, and writing/speaking)

You might find IELTS harder if:

• Face-to-face interviews make you nervous
• You find True/False/Not Given questions confusing
• Writing Task 1 (graph description) is unfamiliar
• You prefer American English spelling and vocabulary
• You are not used to managing your own time across sections

In general, candidates who are more comfortable with academic American English and computer-based testing tend to perform better on TOEFL. Candidates who prefer varied question types, human interaction, and exposure to multiple English accents often prefer IELTS.

Decision Flowchart

Use this decision flowchart to determine which test is right for you:

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How to Prepare

Regardless of which test you choose, structured preparation is essential for success. Here is a general preparation timeline:

Timeline	TOEFL Preparation	IELTS Preparation
8-12 weeks before	Familiarise with format; build academic vocabulary; practise integrated tasks	Study test format; practise all question types; build reading speed
4-8 weeks before	Full practice tests; focus on weak sections; practise speaking into microphone	Timed practice; speaking practice with partner; writing feedback
2-4 weeks before	Daily practice tests; review common topics; refine time management	Full mock exams; polish exam techniques; vocabulary review
Final week	Light revision; rest; prepare mentally	Light revision; rest; prepare mentally

Frequently Asked Questions