"Which test is harder — IELTS or TOEFL?" is one of the most searched English test questions globally. The honest answer is: neither is objectively harder. Both tests require high-level English proficiency, but they reward different skill profiles. This guide tells you which is harder for you based on your specific strengths.
The Difficulty Is Personal, Not Absolute
The "harder" test depends on:
- Whether you prefer face-to-face conversation or computer-based testing
- Whether your reading strength is academic vocabulary or inference from texts
- Whether you write better in structured academic essays or in concise analytical responses
- Whether your listening is stronger for academic lectures or conversational English
Section-by-Section Difficulty Comparison
Listening
| IELTS Listening | TOEFL Listening |
|---|---|
| Everyday British English in Sections 1–2 | Academic English throughout |
| Accents vary (British, Australian, American) | Primarily North American academic English |
| Paper/pen for answers (if paper-based) | Typing answers on screen |
| Section 3 and 4 are academically demanding | All sections are academically demanding |
| Who finds IELTS Listening easier: Those comfortable with British accents; those familiar with everyday conversational contexts | Who finds TOEFL Listening easier: Those trained in North American academic English; those comfortable with note-taking on screen |
Reading
| IELTS Academic Reading | TOEFL Reading |
|---|---|
| Three long passages; 40 questions; 60 minutes | 2–3 passages; 30–40 questions; 54 minutes |
| True/False/Not Given (harder for most) | Multiple choice (more familiar to most) |
| Matching Headings (requires full paragraph understanding) | Insert Text, Prose Summary (also challenging) |
| Various question types | More uniform multiple-choice format |
| Who finds IELTS Reading harder: Those who struggle with T/F/NG logic; those used to multiple-choice formats | Who finds TOEFL Reading harder: Those uncomfortable with timed computer-based testing; those whose academic vocabulary is weaker |
Writing
| IELTS Academic Writing | TOEFL Writing |
|---|---|
| Task 1: Describe a graph/chart (20 min, 150 words) | Build a Sentence: arrange words into a correct sentence (10 questions) |
| Task 2: Essay (40 min, 250 words) | Write an Email (about 7 min) and Write for an Academic Discussion (about 10 min) |
| Two tasks, 60 minutes | Three task types, about 23 minutes |
| Who finds IELTS Writing harder: Those who struggle with data description (Task 1); those who find a 250-word essay demanding | Who finds TOEFL Writing harder: Those who write slowly; those whose grammar and word order are shaky under time pressure |
Key difference: since the January 2026 redesign, TOEFL has no long essay and no integrated read-listen-write task. IELTS asks for two longer pieces in 60 minutes; TOEFL asks for short, precise writing in about 23 minutes.
Speaking
| IELTS Speaking | TOEFL Speaking |
|---|---|
| Face-to-face interview with human examiner | Recorded responses to computer prompts |
| 11–14 minutes; three parts | About 8 minutes; Listen and Repeat (7 sentences) and Take an Interview (4 questions) |
| Natural conversation flow | Immediate responses with no preparation time |
| Human scorer (trained IELTS examiner) | AI scoring |
| Who finds IELTS Speaking harder: Those who feel nervous with live examiners; those whose English is less natural in conversation | Who finds TOEFL Speaking harder: Those who are uncomfortable speaking to a computer; those whose English sounds more natural in conversation |
The Verdict by Test-Taker Profile
You Will Likely Find IELTS Easier If:
- You are a strong conversational speaker (IELTS's live Speaking test rewards natural fluency)
- You prefer British English conventions in Reading and Listening
- You want more time for your essay (40 minutes vs TOEFL's 30)
- You have taken A-levels or studied under a British-influenced system
You Will Likely Find TOEFL Easier If:
- You are nervous in live examiner situations (TOEFL Speaking is recorded — no examiner watching)
- You are familiar with North American academic English from textbooks
- You prefer multiple-choice format (more TOEFL questions are multiple choice)
- You type faster than you write by hand (TOEFL is entirely computer-based)
- You want a single-session test (no returning on a different day for Speaking)
Score Percentiles — Comparative Difficulty
At equivalent English proficiency levels, average test scores:
| English Level | IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|---|
| Advanced | 7.5 | 102–109 |
| Upper Intermediate | 7.0 | 94–101 |
| Intermediate | 6.5 | 83–93 |
| Lower Intermediate | 6.0 | 72–82 |
Neither test consistently produces higher scores for the same English level — the scales are designed to be equivalent.
Which Should You Choose?
| Situation | Choose |
|---|---|
| UK university or visa | IELTS (required) |
| Australian or Canadian requirements | Either (both accepted) |
| US university | Either (TOEFL marginally more traditional) |
| Prefer live Speaking assessment | IELTS |
| Prefer computer-only | TOEFL |
| Want results fastest | IELTS (online: 3–5 days) |
| Want to test at short notice | TOEFL (3-day minimum wait) |
Prepare for IELTS with Gabble — whichever test you choose, Gabble's AI-powered Speaking and Writing feedback gives you instant band/score estimates to help you decide when you're test-ready.