Is TOEFL Harder Than IELTS? How to Choose in 2026
Is TOEFL harder than IELTS? It is one of the questions we hear most from students in Kuwait before a scholarship, a university application or a master's degree. The short answer: neither test is harder for everyone. The right test is the one your university accepts and the one that shows your strengths in the time you have to prepare.
This guide compares the two tests skill by skill, explains what changed in TOEFL in January 2026, and gives you a simple three-step way to choose.
Start with the admission requirement, not with "which is easier"
Before you book a test date, open the official admissions page of the university and of the specific programme. Many universities accept both tests, but a programme may set a different minimum, or a minimum score for each skill such as writing or speaking. Check three things:
Test version: for university and master's study you usually need IELTS Academic, not IELTS General Training. For TOEFL, the accepted version is usually TOEFL iBT.
Sub-scores: some programmes require a minimum in every skill, so reaching the overall score is not enough.
Score validity: most universities accept results less than two years old, so don't test too early.
If you are applying to universities in several countries, choose the test all of them accept so you don't have to sit a second one.
What changed in TOEFL in January 2026?
ETS made major changes to the TOEFL iBT starting 21 January 2026, and most older articles online don't mention them:
Reading and Listening are now adaptive: question difficulty adjusts to your performance.
A new 1–6 score scale in half-band steps, aligned with the CEFR levels.
For a two-year transition period, score reports also show a comparable score on the old 0–120 scale.
The test is shorter, with new task types, and the section order is Reading, Listening, Writing, then Speaking.
So if your university lists a requirement such as 80 or 90, check how it maps to the new scale before you set your target.
IELTS Academic vs TOEFL iBT at a glance
Aspect | IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT |
How you take it | On paper or on computer at an official test centre | On computer at a test centre, or at home with the Home Edition |
Speaking | Interview with a human examiner | Recorded answers through a microphone |
Scores | 0 to 9 in half bands | 1 to 6 in half bands since 2026 |
Content style | Varied academic topics and a range of accents | University situations: lectures, discussions and integrated tasks |
Where students find each skill hard
Reading
TOEFL Reading uses academic texts similar to first-year university material, and you need to follow how a paragraph is built, not just spot a matching word. IELTS uses many question types, including True / False / Not Given, which catches out many students because it demands precision about what the text actually says.
Listening
TOEFL Listening focuses on university lectures and discussions and rewards organised note-taking. In IELTS you hear a range of accents in everyday and academic situations and write answers while you listen, so steady concentration matters.
Writing
In TOEFL you type, and some tasks ask you to respond to an academic discussion or connect ideas from different sources, so typing speed counts. In IELTS you describe a chart or table and then write an essay, marked on clear criteria: task achievement, coherence, vocabulary and grammar.
Speaking
This is often the section that decides the choice. If you speak more confidently with a person in front of you, the IELTS interview can show your real level. If face-to-face conversation makes you nervous and you prefer recording a timed answer, TOEFL may suit you better.
How to choose in three steps
Check the requirement: for each university, note the accepted test, the overall score and any sub-scores.
Try both tests: do one full timed practice test of each and compare where you lost marks.
Choose by your strengths and your deadline: if the results are close, pick the test nearest your application date and the one where you speak more comfortably.
Master's degrees and scholarships: plan extra time
Master's programmes involve reading research, writing reports and taking part in discussions, so universities expect a steady academic level, not just a pass. Leave time for a retake if needed, so your language certificate doesn't hold up the rest of your application, such as your personal statement and references.
At London College UK we start by assessing your level, then build a preparation plan for the test that suits you. See our IELTS preparation course in Kuwait and TOEFL preparation course, or book a free consultation and we'll help you choose.
Frequently asked questions
Is TOEFL harder than IELTS?
Neither is harder for everyone. TOEFL suits people comfortable working on a computer with academic lectures; IELTS suits people who prefer speaking face to face with an examiner and a wider range of question types.
Do UK universities accept TOEFL?
Many do, but some programmes or visa requirements specify a particular test. Check the programme's official admissions page before you book.
How long are IELTS and TOEFL results valid?
Most universities accept results within two years of the test date.
What is the difference between IELTS Academic and General Training?
Academic is for university and master's study; General Training is for immigration and some work routes.
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