IELTS Academic vs TOEFL iBT

IELTS Academic runs about 2 hours 45 minutes plus a separately scheduled Speaking. TOEFL iBT runs about 2 hours in the current format and is computer-only. IELTS offers both paper and computer delivery.

IELTS reports 0 to 9 in whole or half bands per skill and overall. TOEFL reports 0 to 30 per section for a 0 to 120 total. A common rough conversion: IELTS 7.0 ≈ TOEFL 94–101; IELTS 7.5 ≈ TOEFL 102–109; IELTS 8.0 ≈ TOEFL 110–114. Always use the institution's own conversion.

TOEFL relies heavily on integrated tasks — read, listen, then speak or write. IELTS tasks are more isolated: Speaking is a live interview, Writing gives you a visual (Task 1) and a stand-alone essay prompt (Task 2). If you find it easier to synthesise sources under pressure, TOEFL suits you. If you find it easier to write a stand-alone argument or speak naturally to a human, IELTS suits you.

IELTS Speaking is a live interview with a certified examiner. TOEFL Speaking records your answers for later marking. Some candidates prefer the natural back-and-forth of IELTS; others prefer TOEFL because there is no risk of forgetting a question mid-answer.

Choose IELTS if you want a paper option, prefer a live examiner, or need it for UK, Australia, New Zealand, or Canada immigration. Choose TOEFL if the institution expresses a strong preference for it, if you strongly prefer typing to handwriting, or if you are already fluent at synthesising academic listening and reading.