In this guide
IELTS and TOEFL are the two English tests most universities ask for, and both have changed recently. TOEFL moved to a shorter, adaptive format with a new 1–6 score scale in January 2026. IELTS announced that from mid-2026 it will no longer offer a paper-based test, so IELTS is now taken on a computer.
There is no "easier" test for everyone. The right choice depends on what your university or visa accepts, how you like to speak, and which format you perform best in. This guide compares them side by side.
This guide is for you if you are:
- Students applying to universities abroad
- Professionals who need English proof for work or registration
- Anyone planning to migrate who needs an English test
Step one: check what is accepted
Before comparing formats, check the exact requirements of every university, employer or visa you are applying to. Many universities accept both tests, but some list only one, and visa and migration rules can be strict about which tests count.
For UK visas, you need a Secure English Language Test (SELT) from the UK government's approved list. IELTS says its SELT for UK Visas and Immigration is only available in the fully digital format.
Academic or General Training?
IELTS has two versions. IELTS Academic is for university and higher education, and for professional registration. IELTS General Training is for people migrating to an English-speaking country such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand or the UK, and for training or study below degree level. Listening and Speaking are the same in both; Reading and Writing differ.
TOEFL iBT has one version, focused on academic and campus English, so it is mainly used for university admissions.
Length and format
IELTS takes 2 hours and 45 minutes: Listening about 30 minutes, Reading 60, Writing 60 and Speaking 11–14 minutes. Listening, Reading and Writing each have fixed lengths, and Listening and Reading have 40 questions each.
The new TOEFL is shorter, with about 90 minutes of base test time (ETS advises allowing about two hours including directions). Reading and Listening adapt to your level, and there are no scheduled breaks. TOEFL can be taken at a test center or at home with the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.
Speaking: person or computer?
This is often the deciding factor. IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face conversation with an examiner, which many people find more natural.
TOEFL Speaking is recorded on the computer: you repeat sentences and answer interview questions on screen. Some people prefer this because there is no one watching; others find speaking to a screen harder.
Scores, results and retakes
IELTS reports bands from 0 to 9 in whole and half bands. Your overall band is the average of the four sections rounded to the nearest half band. IELTS on computer results usually arrive within 1–2 days. If you take IELTS on computer and miss your target in one section, IELTS One Skill Retake lets you retake just that section within 60 days, once per full test.
TOEFL reports each section from 1 to 6 in half points, with an overall score that is the average of the four rounded to the nearest half band. For a two-year transition period after January 2026, reports also show a comparable 0–120 score. Scores reach your ETS account 3 days after the test, and the MyBest section of a new report converts older 0–120 scores to the 1–6 scale.
Both organisations recommend treating results as valid for two years, although some institutions accept older results.
Step-by-step guidance
- 1
List what each target accepts
Write down every university, employer or visa you are applying to, which tests they accept, and the minimum score for each section.
- 2
Choose IELTS Academic, General Training or TOEFL
Use the requirements first. Only if more than one test is accepted, choose based on format.
- 3
Try both formats
Take one free practice test of each. Notice which speaking style and which reading and listening tasks feel more comfortable.
- 4
Compare dates and cost locally
Fees and test dates vary by country, so check the official booking sites for your city.
- 5
Commit and prepare
Pick one test and practise its exact task types until your practice scores are steady at or above the target.
IELTS vs TOEFL iBT in 2026
| IELTS | TOEFL iBT | |
|---|---|---|
| Versions | Academic and General Training | One academic version |
| How you take it | On computer at a test centre (paper ending from mid-2026) | Computer at a test center, or Home Edition |
| Total time | 2 hours 45 minutes | About 90 minutes of test time (allow about 2 hours) |
| Speaking | Face to face with an examiner | Recorded on the computer |
| Results | Usually within 1–2 days (on computer) | In your ETS account 3 days after the test |
| Score scale | Bands 0–9, in half bands | 1–6 in half points, plus a comparable 0–120 during the transition |
| Retake one section | One Skill Retake (computer tests, within 60 days) | Retake the full test; MyBest scores show your best section scores |
| Validity | Recommended 2 years | 2 years |
Common mistakes
- Choosing a test before checking what your university or visa accepts
- Taking IELTS Academic when you need General Training, or the other way round
- Picking the test a friend found easy instead of trying both formats yourself
- Practising with old TOEFL materials that do not match the 2026 format
Final tips
- Requirements first, format second.
- Try one practice test of each before deciding.
- Once you choose, practise only that test's task types.
Sources
Facts about the tests were checked against these official pages: