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.
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