TOEIC vs TOEFL vs IELTS: Differences & Which to Take

TOEIC® vs TOEFL® vs IELTS®: the short answer

The TOEIC® measures professional/workplace English (score 10-990), the TOEFL® measures academic English for university abroad and leans American (0-120), and the IELTS® measures academic or immigration English and leans British/Commonwealth (0-9 band). No, they are not the same test: they share the idea of certifying your English, but differ in purpose, scale, and where they are recognized. The TOEFL® and IELTS® are generally harder than the TOEIC® Listening & Reading because they add Speaking and Writing sections, so you produce English rather than only recognize it.

TOEIC® vs TOEFL® vs IELTS® at a glance

The TOEIC® (Test of English for International Communication), the TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and the IELTS® (International English Language Testing System) are the three most common standardized English tests. The TOEIC® and TOEFL® are created by ETS (Educational Testing Service); the IELTS® is run by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge.

The TOEIC® evaluates your ability to communicate in English in a professional context: meetings, emails, presentations, and interactions with international colleagues. The TOEFL® measures your ability to follow an academic curriculum in English (lectures, essays, discussions), while the IELTS® covers academic study or immigration, with a face-to-face speaking interview.

Detailed comparison table

Here is a comprehensive comparison of the three tests (TOEIC® L&R, TOEFL® iBT, and IELTS®) to help you make your choice:

Which test is harder?

The TOEFL® and IELTS® are harder than the TOEIC® Listening & Reading for most candidates, mainly because they add Speaking and Writing. The TOEIC® L&R is multiple choice only, so you only have to recognize the right answer. The TOEFL® and IELTS® ask you to produce English under time pressure and use academic vocabulary (science, history, philosophy), which is more demanding than the workplace English of the TOEIC®.

One test may feel harder than another depending on your weak points:

• If you struggle with speaking or writing, the TOEFL® and IELTS® will feel harder; the TOEIC® L&R avoids them entirely.
• If you dislike talking to a live examiner, the IELTS® face-to-face interview is tougher than the TOEFL® computer recording.
• If your reading is slow under time pressure, the dense academic passages of the TOEFL® and IELTS® are harder than the shorter, work-themed TOEIC® texts.

Are TOEIC®, TOEFL®, and IELTS® the same test?

No, they are not the same test. The TOEIC® and TOEFL® share a publisher (ETS), so people often assume they are interchangeable, but they are not: the TOEIC® certifies workplace English while the TOEFL® certifies academic English. The IELTS® is a separate test run by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. The three differ in purpose, scoring scale (10-990 vs 0-120 vs 0-9), and where they are recognized, so a score on one does not replace a score on another.

When to Choose the TOEIC®

The TOEIC® is the ideal choice if your goal is professional. Here are the situations where the TOEIC® is the right fit:

• Corporate career: the majority of French and international companies based in France use the TOEIC® as a benchmark to evaluate their employees' English skills.
• Grande ecole or engineering school: many schools require a minimum TOEIC® score (often 785 or higher) for degree validation.
• Internal promotion or mobility: a strong TOEIC® score can unlock career advancement opportunities within your company.
• Resume enhancement: the TOEIC® is widely recognized in France and Asia, and is a concrete asset on your resume.

When to Choose the TOEFL®

The TOEFL® is essential if you are targeting an international academic path:

• Studies in the US, UK, or Canada: the vast majority of English-speaking universities require a TOEFL® score (typically 80 to 100+ out of 120).
• International MBA: top MBA programs often require the TOEFL® in addition to the GMAT or GRE.
• PhD programs: English-language research programs almost systematically require the TOEFL®.
• Scholarships: many international scholarships include the TOEFL® in their eligibility criteria.

When to Choose the IELTS®

The IELTS® (International English Language Testing System), managed by the British Council, is the third major international English test, on an equal footing with the TOEIC® and TOEFL®. Unlike the TOEIC® which targets professional English, the IELTS® assesses English in an academic or immigration context.

The IELTS® is particularly recommended in the following cases:

• British universities: the majority of UK universities prefer the IELTS® over the TOEFL®, although both are often accepted.
• Immigration to Australia, Canada, or New Zealand: immigration procedures in these countries generally require an IELTS® score (General Training version).
• Face-to-face speaking format: if you prefer an in-person conversation with an examiner rather than a computer recording (as in the TOEFL®), the IELTS® may be more comfortable.

Price-wise, the IELTS® costs approximately $250, placing it between the TOEIC® (~$150) and the TOEFL® (~$265). Its validity is also 2 years.

In summary: choose the TOEIC® for the professional world, the TOEFL® for American universities, and the IELTS® for British universities or immigration to Commonwealth countries.

Can You Switch from TOEIC® to TOEFL®?

Yes, and it is actually a common strategy. If you have already taken the TOEIC® and now need the TOEFL® (for example, for a university application), your Listening and Reading skills transfer directly.

Your TOEIC® preparation has helped you develop essential skills: active listening, speed reading, time management, and multiple-choice strategies. These skills form a solid foundation for tackling the TOEFL®.

However, the TOEFL® adds two sections absent from the TOEIC® Listening & Reading:

• Speaking: you will need to express yourself orally by responding to recorded questions. Practice speaking English daily (presentations, text summaries, discussions).
• Writing: you will need to write argumentative essays in academic English. Practice writing structured texts (introduction, body, conclusion) on various topics.

Expect approximately 2 to 3 additional months of targeted Speaking and Writing preparation if you are starting from a strong TOEIC® score (785+). The TOEFL® vocabulary is also more academic: science, history, philosophy, sociology. Adjust your reading materials accordingly.

Can You Take Both?

Yes, it is entirely possible to take both tests, and some candidates make this strategic choice. For example, you can take the TOEIC® first to meet an immediate professional need (degree validation, recruitment), then prepare for the TOEFL® later if you plan to study abroad.

The advantage of starting with the TOEIC®: it is less expensive (~$150 vs. ~$265), shorter (~2 hours vs. ~3 hours), and preparing for it builds a solid foundation in listening and reading comprehension that will be useful for the TOEFL®.

Score conversion: TOEIC® / TOEFL® / IELTS® / CEFR

Looking for what a TOEIC® 800 means in TOEFL® or how to convert a TOEIC® score to IELTS®? While there is no official correspondence between TOEIC®, TOEFL®, and IELTS® scores, here are approximate equivalences anchored to CEFR levels. For the full TOEIC-to-CEFR breakdown, see our TOEIC / CEFR conversion table.

Note: these equivalences are approximate. The three tests assess different skills and are not directly comparable.

How to Choose the Right Test

To simplify your decision, ask yourself one question: what is my primary goal?

• Professional goal (employment, promotion, resume, French grande ecole) → choose the TOEIC®.
• Academic goal (university abroad, MBA, PhD) → choose the TOEFL®.
• Immigration or British university → choose the IELTS®.
• Multiple goals → start with the TOEIC® (cheaper, faster to prepare for), then move on to the TOEFL® or IELTS® when the need arises.

In all cases, serious preparation is essential. For the TOEIC®, check out the detailed test content guide to structure your study plan, or try a free practice test to assess your level.

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