English Proficiency Test

IELTS or TOEFL — it is one of the most common questions international students ask when preparing to apply to US universities. In 2026, both tests are accepted at virtually every major American institution — but they differ significantly in format, scoring, speaking style, and which students they suit best. And there is a critical update most students are unaware of: as of January 2026, TOEFL iBT has moved to an entirely new 1-6 band scoring scale, replacing the familiar 0-120 system. This complete guide covers everything you need to know about IELTS vs TOEFL for USA universities in 2026.