TOEFL has undergone its biggest change ever — switching to a 1-6 band system, removing the essay, and shortening to ~2 hours. Meanwhile, IELTS now offers One Skill Retake. Here's how they compare in 2026.
Expert comparison based on 28+ years of coaching both tests.
| Aspect | TOEFL iBT | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Computer-only, adaptive (NEW) | Paper or Computer (choice) |
| Duration | ~2 hours (shortened in 2026) | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Scoring | 1-6 bands (NEW from Jan 2026) | 1-9 bands (0.5 increments) |
| Fee (India) | INR 18,000 | ₹18,000 |
| Sections | 4 sections (adaptive difficulty) | 4 sections (fixed difficulty) |
| Writing Task | NO essay — summarize discussion (NEW) | 2 essays (Task 1 + Task 2) |
| Speaking | Recorded responses to computer | Face-to-face with human examiner |
| Results Speed | 72 hours (NEW — faster) | 3-5 days (computer) / 13 days (paper) |
| Score Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Best for USA | Preferred by most US universities | Accepted but TOEFL preferred |
| Best for UK/AU/CA | Accepted but less common | Strongly preferred |
| Accepted by | 12,000+ institutions worldwide | 11,000+ institutions worldwide |
| Retake Policy | 3-day waiting period | OSR (One Skill Retake) available |
| Score Conversion | Band 5.0 ≈ IELTS 7.0-7.5 | Band 7.0 ≈ TOEFL Band 5.0 |
| EEC Coaching | From ₹7,500 (online/classroom) | From ₹7,500 (online/classroom) |
| TOEFL Band (New) | IELTS Band | Level |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 | 8.5-9.0 | Expert |
| 5.5 | 8.0 | Very Good |
| 5.0 | 7.0-7.5 | Good |
| 4.5 | 6.5 | Competent+ |
| 4.0 | 6.0 | Competent |
| 3.5 | 5.5 | Modest+ |
| 3.0 | 5.0 | Modest |
| 2.5 | 4.0-4.5 | Limited |
Conversion is approximate. Always check with your target institution for exact requirements.
See how many courses open up at different TOEFL score levels across top destinations.
See how many courses open up at different IELTS score levels across top destinations.
Reviews from Google Places API · 2026-02-16
Our coaches have prepared students for both TOEFL and IELTS for 28+ years. Get a personalized recommendation based on your target country, university, and strengths. Available online from anywhere in India.
Preparing for US university admissions while living in the USA? Whether you need TOEFL for grad school, transfers, or professional licensing — here's how EEC's coaching works for you.
Live online classes — Monday to Friday (4:00–5:00 PM IST)
New York / New Jersey (EST)
5:30 AM – 6:30 AM
Early morning slot
Texas / Chicago (CST)
4:30 AM – 5:30 AM
Pre-dawn slot
Denver / Phoenix (MST)
3:30 AM – 4:30 AM
Use recordings
California / Seattle (PST)
2:30 AM – 3:30 AM
Use recordings
India (IST)
4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Original batch time
East Coast students: 5:30 AM is feasible before work/class. Central & West Coast — all sessions are recorded same day. Watch recordings + attend live doubt sessions.
Hundreds of ETS/Prometric test centers across all 50 states
TOEFL iBT Home Edition available 24/7 — same score, same acceptance
Home test needs: computer with camera, mic, quiet room, whiteboard (no paper)
Register at ets.org — fee $245
110+ → MIT, Stanford, Harvard, Princeton (preferred)
100+ → Top-20 universities (minimum for most)
90+ → Most graduate programs
80+ → UC Berkeley, many state universities
MyBest Scores: ETS combines your highest section scores across attempts
Many US universities waive TOEFL after 2–4 years of US education
Students who completed a US bachelor's degree are often exempt
4 years at a US high school → typically exempt
Policy varies by university — always check admissions page
If unsure, take TOEFL anyway — having a score never hurts
Applying for MS/PhD? You likely need both GRE and TOEFL
EEC offers both courses — study simultaneously and save time
TOEFL score valid 2 years — time your test carefully
4 free score reports on test day, $20 each after
No waiting period between retake attempts
USA
UK
Canada
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