TOEFL vs IELTS for USA Universities: Which Test Should You Take?
Most US universities accept both TOEFL and IELTS, but one usually suits your strengths better. Here's how to choose and which scores each test needs.
▶ Free College Predictor & study-abroad toolsBoth are accepted widely
All top US universities (Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, etc.) now accept TOEFL and IELTS equally. But some schools set slightly different score requirements — always check the programme-specific page before deciding which test to take.
TOEFL advantages for USA
TOEFL is the traditional US test, so universities have decades of score data. It tests American English and academic lecture-taking skills directly, which match US master's culture. If you're comfortable with computers and AI-scored speaking, TOEFL is low-risk.
IELTS advantages
IELTS is slightly more about real-world communication (face-to-face speaking, everyday vocabulary) and less heavily weighted toward academic lectures. If you freeze on computer-based tests or prefer human-evaluated speaking, IELTS may feel more natural.
Score conversion
Roughly: IELTS 6.5 ≈ TOEFL 79, IELTS 7.0 ≈ TOEFL 94, IELTS 7.5 ≈ TOEFL 110. Most US master's programmes want IELTS 7.0 or TOEFL 100 minimum; competitive ones want 7.5 or 110. Confirm the exact requirement.
Visa is rarely a factor now
Both tests are widely accepted for F-1 visas. The university's admission requirement is the binding one — once you've met that, the visa almost always accepts the same score.
Test both free
Take a free practice test of each on LandingPrep (TOEFL-style and IELTS-style questions) and see which scoring style and format feel more natural — then commit to that test.