IELTS vs TOEFL: Which English Test Should You Take?

The Short Answer

Both tests are accepted almost everywhere. The UK, Canada, and Australia lean toward IELTS. The United States has a long history with TOEFL, but US universities now accept IELTS too. So the real question is not which test schools prefer. It is which test format lets you show your best English.

If you like talking to a real person, IELTS may suit you. Its speaking test is a face-to-face interview. If you prefer typing and working alone, TOEFL may feel easier. Its speaking test asks you to record answers into a microphone.

Format Differences That Matter

IELTS lasts about 2 hours 45 minutes. TOEFL iBT lasts about 2 hours. IELTS gives you paper or computer options in Nigeria. TOEFL is computer-based only.

• Listening: IELTS uses a mix of accents — British, Australian, Canadian. TOEFL leans on American accents.
• Reading: TOEFL passages are academic and long. IELTS mixes academic texts with charts and everyday material.
• Writing: IELTS Task 1 asks you to describe a graph or chart. TOEFL asks you to combine a reading and a lecture into one answer.
• Speaking: IELTS is a live interview. TOEFL records your voice for later scoring.

Scoring and What Universities Want

IELTS scores run from 0 to 9 in half-band steps. Most universities want 6.5 to 7.5 overall. TOEFL scores run from 0 to 120. Most universities want 80 to 100. Always check the exact requirement on the university website, and note that some courses set higher marks for writing or speaking.

Neither test is "easier" on scores. The two scales map to each other. A 7.0 IELTS is roughly a 94 to 101 TOEFL. If you are scoring higher on practice tests for one format, that gap is real information — trust it.

Cost and Booking in Nigeria

Both tests cost a similar amount in Nigeria, and prices change with the exchange rate, so check the official booking pages before you plan. IELTS is run through the British Council and IDP centres in Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, and other cities. TOEFL is booked through the ETS website and runs at approved centres.

Book at least six weeks before your application deadline. Results take 3 to 13 days depending on the test and format. Leave room for a retake in case your first score falls short.

How to Choose in One Minute

• Applying mostly to the UK? Take IELTS — some UK visa routes require it specifically (the "IELTS for UKVI" version).
• Applying mostly to the US? Either works. Pick the format you score better on.
• Nervous typist? Choose IELTS on paper.
• Nervous speaker? TOEFL's recorded speaking may feel less stressful than a live interview.

Prepare the Smart Way

Take one full, timed practice test for each exam before you decide. Free official samples exist for both. Your practice scores will usually make the decision for you. Then spend four to eight weeks on your weakest skill, not your strongest one.

One last tip: check whether your target university accepts alternatives like the Duolingo English Test. Some do, and it costs less. But confirm on the official admissions page first — never rely on an agent's word alone.