TOEFL iBT vs IELTS: Which Test US and Canadian Universities Prefer for ASEAN Applicants
By Muntasir • Published Jul 24, 2026 • Updated Aug 08, 2026 • Admissions & Applications
TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are both accepted at nearly every US and Canadian university. Neither test blocks your application, but the format, timing and score reporting differ enough to make one a better fit for you.
🎓 IELTS uses a 0-9 band scale. TOEFL iBT uses 0-120, moving to a new 1-6 scale from January 21, 2026.
💵 Typical university minimums sit around IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL iBT 80-100, though every program sets its own bar.
⏱️ TOEFL iBT results usually arrive in 4-8 days. IELTS computer-delivered results arrive in 3-5 days.
US universities have historically leaned TOEFL. Canadian universities treat both tests as equal.
TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic at a glance
Both tests measure the same four skills: reading, listening, speaking and writing. Universities in the US and Canada list both as acceptable proof of English, so your choice comes down to format, timing and where you feel stronger.
| Feature | TOEFL iBT | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Score scale | 0-120, moving to 1-6 from January 21, 2026 | 0-9 bands |
| Test length | About 2 hours | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Speaking format | Recorded into a microphone, sent for scoring | Face-to-face or video call with a trained examiner |
| Delivery | Computer, at a test center or at home | Computer or paper, at a test center |
| Typical results time | 4-8 days | 3-5 days computer-delivered, up to 13 days paper-based |
Which test US universities prefer
US universities were slower than the rest of the world to accept IELTS, since TOEFL is a US-built test that many admissions offices have used for decades. That gap has closed. Large state systems and private research universities across the US now list both TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic as acceptable proof of English.
A small number of competitive graduate programs still name TOEFL first on their admissions page, or set an IELTS band that runs slightly higher than the matching TOEFL cutoff. Check your target program's own English requirement page instead of assuming either test carries more weight everywhere.
Which test Canadian universities prefer
Canadian universities treat TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic as equal options at both undergraduate and graduate level. Your study permit itself does not fix a language test, since Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada leaves the English requirement to your school rather than a set visa rule. Your university's own admissions requirement is what decides which test and score you need.
Score equivalence between TOEFL iBT and IELTS
Universities often publish a minimum for only one test. Use this rough concordance, based on published ETS score comparison data , to translate a requirement from one test to the other.
| IELTS Academic | TOEFL iBT (0-120 scale) |
|---|---|
| 6.0 | 60-78 |
| 6.5 | 79-93 |
| 7.0 | 94-101 |
| 7.5 | 102-109 |
| 8.0 | 110-114 |
Treat this as a starting point, not a guarantee. Confirm the exact score your program accepts on its own website, since some programs set requirements slightly above or below this general range.
The TOEFL scoring change from January 2026
From January 21, 2026, ETS moves the TOEFL iBT to a 1-6 scale in half-point steps, replacing the familiar 0-120 total. Your total score becomes the average of your four section scores instead of their sum, rounded to the nearest half point. ETS keeps a converted 0-120 score alongside the new scale on score reports through January 2028, giving admissions offices time to adjust. If your test date falls near this change, check which scale your target university lists on its own admissions page.
Cost and score validity
Fees for both tests vary by country. TOEFL iBT commonly runs $190-230 across Southeast Asia, while IELTS sits in a comparable range depending on your test center and module. Confirm the current fee for your country on ets.org or ielts.org before you book. Both scores stay valid for two years from your test date. Retake either test as many times as you want, and budget for one retake if your first attempt misses your target by a small margin.
How the test experience differs
TOEFL iBT groups your speaking and writing tasks around academic passages and lectures, so you read or listen first, then respond to what you covered. IELTS Academic keeps its four sections more separate, with its own reading passages, its own listening recording, and a stand-alone speaking interview with a real person sitting across from you or joining by video. If you do better connecting ideas across a passage and a prompt, TOEFL's integrated style might suit you. If you prefer shorter, distinct sections and a face-to-face conversation for speaking, IELTS often feels more manageable.
Common mistakes ASEAN applicants make
Booking the wrong test because a scholarship or program names it specifically, without checking whether the funder also accepts an equivalent score from the other test.
Waiting until the deadline month to register, when test center seats fill up fast during peak application season from September through January.
Skipping the free official practice materials on ets.org and ielts.org before paying for a private course.
Forgetting that official score delivery to your university takes several extra days after your results post, so factor that into your application deadline.
Scholarship and exchange program rules
If you are applying through a national scholarship or exchange program alongside your university application, check that funder's own English test policy before you book a test. Some name only one test, or accept both but require an official score sent directly from the testing body rather than a copy you upload yourself. Reading the funder's requirement page before you register saves you from paying for a second test later because the first one did not match what the funder asked for.
How to choose
Pick IELTS if you prefer speaking to a real examiner rather than a microphone.
Pick TOEFL iBT if your program names it specifically or you want a slightly shorter test.
Check your program's own English requirement page. A published minimum for one test does not always match the equivalence table exactly.
Book your test 6-8 weeks before your application deadline to leave room for a retake.