Snapshot comparison
| Feature | IELTS | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Test style | Hybrid: paper or computer, face-to-face speaking | Fully computer-based, speaking recorded |
| Total duration | 2 hours 44 minutes | ~2 hours |
| Score scale | 0–9 bands (increments of 0.5) | 0–120 (scaled to CEFR) |
| Writing tasks | Task 1 (data/letter) + Task 2 (essay) | Integrated (summary) + Independent essay |
| Speaking | Examiner interview (3 parts) | 4 recorded tasks, AI + human scoring |
Quick rule of thumb: choose IELTS if you are confident in face-to-face communication and want separate paper copies of the reading passages; choose TOEFL if you are more comfortable typing long essays and prefer an all-digital ecosystem.
When universities prefer one over the other
- UK, Australia, New Zealand immigration pipelines default to IELTS Academic/General Training. TOEFL is accepted but may require extra paperwork.
- US graduate schools usually treat both exams equally, but MBA programs sometimes post explicit TOEFL minimums.
- Nursing and healthcare licensing boards often ask for an IELTS component score (e.g., Writing 7.0), making IELTS the safer bet.
Check both the university prospectus and the department page—computer science departments in Canada, for example, might accept TOEFL iBT but still recommend IELTS Academic for proof of speaking ability.
Writing experience differences
IELTS
- Task 1 rewards candidates who can describe visual data with precise trend language.
- Handwriting matters; smudged or cramped writing frustrates examiners.
- Word counts are short (150 + 250 words) but timing is brutal (60 minutes total).
TOEFL
- Integrated writing requires summarizing a reading and lecture; quotable detail is key.
- Keyboard speed needs to hit 35+ wpm to finish comfortably.
- Automated scoring flags template phrases quickly, so you need authentic paraphrases.
Speaking format realities
- IELTS interviews feel conversational. You can read examiners' facial cues and adjust tone instantly.
- TOEFL speaking tasks provide 15–30 seconds to prepare and 45–60 seconds to speak; silence equals zero.
- Candidates who freeze when talking to a laptop often gain ~0.5 band by switching to IELTS Speaking.
Cost, booking, and results timeline
| Item | IELTS | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Average test fee | USD 250 (varies by country) | USD 235 |
| Result release | 3–5 days (computer) / 13 days (paper) | 4–8 days |
| Free score reports | 5 institutions | 4 institutions |
| Retake waiting period | None | 3 days |
IELTS computer-delivered sessions now run twice daily in most capitals, while TOEFL iBT offers Home Edition slots almost every day. Book 4–6 weeks early during peak seasons (May–August).
Band/score conversion targets
- IELTS 6.5 ≈ TOEFL 79–83 → Suitable for most undergraduate admissions.
- IELTS 7.5 ≈ TOEFL 100 → Competitive for graduate schools and scholarship panels.
- IELTS 8.0 ≈ TOEFL 110+ → Needed by selective programs (medicine, law, elite MBA).
Remember that component scores matter. A university may ask for IELTS 6.5 overall but insist on 6.0 in each skill, while TOEFL programs sometimes require 22+ in Speaking.
Recommended decision process
- List every target institution and note the minimum score plus format preference.
- Take a 40-minute diagnostic for each exam. Record how you felt about the interface, pacing, and question style.
- Rank the skills you are most confident in: conversational speaking, academic writing, quick summarizing, note-taking, etc.
- Choose the test that maximizes your strengths and satisfies every institution without exceptions.
If you remain undecided, schedule IELTS first. You can always convert practice momentum into a TOEFL attempt later because the fundamental skills (listening for key ideas, paraphrasing arguments, organizing essays) overlap ~80%.
Final takeaway
Pick the exam you can test sooner, retake faster, and explain proudly to admissions teams. IELTSplus offers parallel study plans so you can pivot between IELTS and TOEFL without losing tempo—download the shared vocabulary decks and audio shadowing scripts inside your dashboard.