IELTS vs TOEFL 2026: Which Test for USA? Complete Comparison for Indian Students

If your primary study destination is the United States, you face a critical choice: IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT? While TOEFL has traditionally dominated US university admissions, IELTS acceptance has grown dramatically — over 3,400 US institutions now accept it, including all Ivy League universities. However, the two tests differ significantly in format, scoring, and the skills they emphasize. TOEFL is entirely computer-based with AI-scored Speaking, while IELTS offers a human Speaking examiner. This guide compares every aspect to help you choose the right test for your US university applications. All data is verified against ets.org and ielts.org as of February 2026.

IELTS vs TOEFL — Quick Comparison

Test Format — How They Differ

IELTS separates all four skills clearly: Listening (30 min, 40 questions), Reading (60 min, 40 questions), Writing (60 min, 2 tasks), and Speaking (11–14 min, face-to-face interview). The Speaking test happens separately — it could be on the same day or up to 7 days before/after the written sections. Each section tests one skill at a time, which most students find intuitive and less stressful.

TOEFL iBT was significantly shortened in July 2023 (the “TOEFL iBT Enhanced” version). The current format is: Reading (35 min, 2 passages, 20 questions), Listening (36 min, 3 lectures + 2 conversations, 28 questions), Speaking (17 min, 4 tasks), and Writing (29 min, 2 tasks). TOEFL uniquely includes integrated tasks: in Speaking, two of four tasks require you to read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then speak about both. In Writing, one of two tasks (Integrated Writing) requires you to read a passage, listen to a lecture, and write about the relationship between them. The second writing task (“Writing for an Academic Discussion”) requires you to contribute to an online academic discussion in 10 minutes.

Scoring Systems Compared

IELTS uses a 0–9 band scale per section with the overall score as the average. TOEFL scores each section 0–30 for a total of 0–120. The key scoring difference is in Speaking: IELTS Speaking is evaluated by a trained human examiner on four criteria (Fluency & Coherence, Lexical Resource, Grammatical Range & Accuracy, Pronunciation). TOEFL Speaking responses are recorded and evaluated by a combination of human raters and AI, scored on Delivery, Language Use, and Topic Development. TOEFL's Writing is also partially AI-scored since the 2023 update.

“IELTS is not a test of intelligence — it is a test of English communication skill. With the right preparation, every Indian student can achieve their target band.”

— EEC Expert Trainer, 27+ Years Experience

USA University Acceptance — IELTS vs TOEFL

TOEFL remains the dominant test for US university admissions with over 11,500 institutions accepting it. IELTS is accepted by 3,400+ US institutions, including all Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, etc.), all major state universities (UC Berkeley, UCLA, University of Michigan, etc.), and most graduate schools. In practice, for the top 200 US universities, both tests are equally accepted. The gap narrows further at the graduate level, where nearly all programs accept both.

However, some smaller colleges, community colleges, or specialized programs may accept only TOEFL. If you have a specific university in mind, check their admission page to confirm which tests they accept and their minimum scores. For students applying to universities in both the USA and other countries (UK, Canada, Australia), IELTS is the more versatile choice because it is the primary test for UK and Australian immigration. For those applying exclusively to the USA, either test works for most target universities. For GRE + test selection strategy, see our GRE preparation guide.

Which Is Easier for Indian Students?

Based on EEC's coaching experience, Indian students generally find IELTS Speaking easier because the face-to-face format allows natural conversation, follow-up questions, and a human connection that many Indian students are comfortable with. TOEFL Speaking, where you record responses into a microphone within strict time limits (15–60 seconds per task), feels more robotic and pressured. However, students who are shy or anxious in interviews sometimes prefer the anonymity of TOEFL's recording format.

For Reading, TOEFL passages are exclusively academic (university-level lectures) and may use American English spelling conventions, while IELTS Academic passages come from international academic sources. Indian students familiar with American English (through exposure to US media, education) may find TOEFL Reading slightly more approachable. For Listening, TOEFL uses American accents predominantly, while IELTS uses a mix of British, Australian, and other accents. If you are more accustomed to American English, TOEFL Listening may feel easier. For Writing, TOEFL's integrated task is unique and requires specific practice, while IELTS Writing relies on traditional essay structure.

Score Conversion Table

How to Choose for USA

Choose IELTS if: You are also applying to UK, Canadian, or Australian universities (IELTS covers all), you prefer speaking to a human examiner, you want the OSR option, or you find single-skill sections less stressful. Choose TOEFL if: You are applying exclusively to US universities (widest acceptance), you are comfortable with integrated reading-listening-speaking tasks, you prefer recording your Speaking responses privately, or your target university specifically lists TOEFL minimums. Best strategy: Take a practice test for both and compare your scores. Many EEC students discover a significant score difference (equivalent of 0.5–1.0 IELTS bands) between the two tests.

EEC Coaching for IELTS & TOEFL

EEC offers coaching for both IELTS (₹7,500) and TOEFL at competitive rates. For USA-bound students, EEC also provides GRE preparation and Digital SAT coaching. Our US counseling services include: university shortlisting across all 50 states, SOP and essay writing guidance, application timeline management, F-1 visa documentation and mock interview preparation, and scholarship search assistance.

Whether you choose IELTS or TOEFL, EEC's trainers help you reach your target score while counselors handle your university applications in parallel. Call +91 8758883889 or book a free consultation.

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