IELTS vs TOEFL: The Dilemma Decoded for International Students

If you are planning to study, work, or live abroad, especially in an English-speaking country, you will almost certainly need to prove your English proficiency. This is where two of the world’s most widely recognised exams, IELTS and TOEFL, come into the picture. Students at Ivies Chase You often ask which exam will serve them better, and while we do not coach for either test, we play a key role in helping students decide which one suits their goals and how to sequence test preparation within their application timeline.

IELTS: Practical, Global, and Widely Recognised

IELTS, accepted in more than 150 countries, is one of the most popular English-language tests for university admissions, immigration, and work visas. Nearly all US universities now accept IELTS, and it remains the preferred option for countries like the UK, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand for both admissions and permanent residency applications.

Because it is jointly managed by the British Council, Cambridge University, and IDP, IELTS leans toward British-English conventions and places strong emphasis on practical, everyday communication. Students who prefer real-life conversations, multiple accents, and interactive speaking tend to find IELTS a natural fit.

TOEFL: Academic, Structured, and US-Focused

Originally designed by US institutions, TOEFL is accepted in over 140 countries and is strongly aligned with American academic expectations. It focuses heavily on university-style communication, including long lectures, complex reading passages, and writing tasks that require students to synthesise information from multiple sources.

Students comfortable with computer-based testing, note-taking during academic audio clips, and speaking into a microphone often find TOEFL more intuitive. For applicants targeting US universities in particular, the academic format of TOEFL sometimes feels more predictable and structured.

How the Two Tests Assess English Skills

Both IELTS and TOEFL evaluate the same four areas: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. But the experience differs significantly. IELTS listening passages reflect a mix of British, Australian, and Canadian accents and resemble real-world interactions, while TOEFL listeners encounter longer, lecture-style recordings in an American accent.

In reading, IELTS offers a blend of news articles, magazine extracts, and research snippets with direct questions, whereas TOEFL presents dense academic passages requiring deeper inference.

Writing in IELTS usually begins with describing a graph or chart, while TOEFL requires summarising ideas from multiple sources before moving to an opinion essay. For speaking, IELTS uses a face-to-face interview format, while TOEFL has students speak into a microphone, producing responses that are later evaluated.

Understanding the Scoring Systems

IELTS assigns each skill a band score from zero to nine and averages them to create the final score. TOEFL follows a numerical scoring system out of 120, with each section worth 30 points. Neither system is inherently easier; the best choice depends entirely on a student’s comfort level with each format.

Preparation Strategies and What Each Test Requires

Preparing for IELTS means familiarising yourself with face-to-face conversations, learning how to describe visual data, and becoming comfortable with a variety of accents. TOEFL preparation, on the other hand, requires strong computer-based test-taking skills, the ability to take quick notes during academic lectures, and confidence in responding to timed speaking tasks recorded through a microphone.

At Ivies Chase You, we help students understand which test aligns better with their strengths and clarify when these exams should be taken to maximise impact within their broader application strategy.

Which Test Should You Choose?

Both exams are globally respected and effective measures of English proficiency. IELTS is generally more versatile for immigration, work visas, and international admissions. TOEFL is a strong fit for students who thrive in academic environments and prefer American-style testing.

The right choice ultimately depends on your country of interest, your natural communication style, and your long-term academic or career goals. With thoughtful planning, students can pick the exam that gives them the best chance of success.

Plan Your IELTS or TOEFL Strategy With Expert Guidance

Deciding between IELTS and TOEFL is just one step in the journey toward studying abroad. Top universities also evaluate your academic direction, extracurricular depth, personal essays, and long-term narrative. At Ivies Chase You, our team helps students plan when to take their English tests, how these scores fit into the bigger admissions picture, and how to build a strong international profile that stands out to universities across the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, and beyond.

If you want clarity on which test works best for you, and how to build a strategically compelling application, schedule a free call with our admissions experts. A 30-minute session can help you map out your test timeline, identify your academic goals, and understand exactly what top universities are looking for.