Guides
IELTS vs TOEFL: what actually changed in 2026
If you last looked into TOEFL more than a few months ago, some of what you remember is already outdated. As of January 21, 2026, TOEFL replaced its familiar 0-120 scoring scale with a new 1.0 to 6.0 band system, and that changes how it compares to IELTS. Here's what's actually true now, not what used to be true.
The TOEFL scoring change, explained
A completely different scale, mapped to a system you may already know
TOEFL's new score is a single number from 1.0 to 6.0, in half-point increments, calculated as the average of your four section scores and mapped directly to CEFR levels, the same framework IELTS and most other English tests already align to. During a transition period through 2028, ETS still reports the old 0-120 score alongside the new one, mainly so universities have time to update their published requirements, but the 1-6 scale is now the real number that matters.
How the scores actually compare
The old conversion tables don't fully apply anymore
Roughly, a TOEFL 5.0 lines up with an IELTS 7.0 to 7.5, a TOEFL 4.5 with an IELTS 6.5, and a TOEFL 4.0 with an IELTS 6.0. A competitive score for most graduate programs sits at TOEFL 5.0 or IELTS 7.0 and above. That said, these are approximate mappings, not a guaranteed substitution, always check what your specific target program actually requires rather than assuming a converted number will be accepted at face value.
What US graduate programs actually prefer
Mostly, it doesn't matter which one you take
Across the Ivy League and most competitive graduate programs, both tests are accepted with no real preference, TOEFL has a longer history with US admissions, but IELTS is now treated as fully equivalent almost everywhere. Harvard, for example, requires IELTS 7.0 for general admission, with Harvard Kennedy School and Harvard Medical School both requiring 7.5. Stanford requires 7.0, with its business school often expecting 7.5 or higher. Also worth knowing: the F-1 visa itself doesn't require a specific English test score, that requirement comes entirely from the university you're admitted to.
The format difference that actually affects your decision
A human interview vs a fully computer-based test
This matters more than the score conversion. IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face conversation with a trained examiner, while TOEFL is entirely computer-delivered, your spoken answers are recorded and scored without a human in the room. IELTS Writing also uses traditional, longer-form essay tasks, while TOEFL's redesigned 2026 format leans toward shorter, more practical writing tasks. If you're someone who does better talking to a real person than a microphone, or you write more naturally in structured essays than quick practical responses, that's a bigger factor than a half-point score difference either way.
FAQ
Is TOEFL's new 1-6 scale actually comparable to IELTS now?+
More comparable than before, since both now align to CEFR levels, but not a direct substitution. Treat conversion tables as a rough guide, and always confirm your target university's actual accepted score.
Do Ivy League schools prefer TOEFL or IELTS?+
Neither, in practice. Most accept both equally, with typical minimums around 7.0 on IELTS or the equivalent TOEFL band, and some competitive programs like Harvard Kennedy School or Yale Law requiring higher.
Does my F-1 visa require a specific English test?+
No. Visa requirements don't dictate which English test you take, that requirement comes entirely from the university's own admission policy.
I already have an old TOEFL score on the 0-120 scale, is it still valid?+
Yes, your score's validity period (2 years from your test date) isn't affected by the scoring system change. Your score report during the transition period will show both the old and new scale regardless of when you tested.