As a student who has lived in Spain for many years, I’ve noticed that many friends get confused about IELTS and TOEFL score requirements when applying to overseas universities or jobs. Today I’ll share the specific requirements and conversion methods for these two exams, hoping to help everyone.
Basic Exam Information Comparison
First, it’s important to understand that both IELTS and TOEFL are internationally recognized English proficiency tests, but they use completely different scoring systems. IELTS uses a 9-band scale, while TOEFL uses a 120-point scale. In terms of test format, IELTS focuses more on practical communication skills with face-to-face speaking interviews; TOEFL is entirely computer-based, including computer-recorded speaking sections.
Major University Score Requirements
Based on my experience and research, most prestigious European and American universities have the following requirements for these two exams:
| Institution Type | IELTS Requirement | TOEFL Requirement | Notes |
|---|
| Top Universities | 7.0-7.5 | 100-110 | Such as Oxford, Harvard |
| Renowned Universities | 6.5-7.0 | 90-100 | Most top 50 ranked schools |
| Regular Universities | 6.0-6.5 | 80-90 | General undergraduate requirements |
| Community Colleges | 5.5-6.0 | 70-80 | Entry-level requirements |
Different majors also have varying requirements. For instance, law, medicine, and journalism typically require higher language scores, while engineering and mathematics are relatively more lenient.
Score Conversion Reference
This is what everyone cares about most, along with DELE level preparation. Although there’s no absolute standard conversion formula officially, based on comparison tables provided by ETS and Cambridge Assessment, plus my personal exam experience, you can refer to the following conversion relationships:
IELTS 9.0 ≈ TOEFL 118-120
IELTS 8.5 ≈ TOEFL 115-117
IELTS 8.0 ≈ TOEFL 110-114
IELTS 7.5 ≈ TOEFL 102-109
IELTS 7.0 ≈ TOEFL 94-101
IELTS 6.5 ≈ TOEFL 87-93
IELTS 6.0 ≈ TOEFL 78-86
It’s particularly important to note that this conversion is only a rough reference - for actual applications, you should always check the specific requirements on the school’s official website.
Selection Recommendations
From a personal perspective, if you’re considering SIELE vs DELE differences and your target countries are the UK, Australia, or New Zealand, I’d recommend IELTS; if you’re mainly applying to US universities, TOEFL might be more widely accepted. Additionally, if you’re not comfortable with computer-based testing, IELTS’s paper-and-pencil option might be more suitable, especially when considering language program and foundation course selection.
Finally, remember that regardless of which exam you choose, scores are valid for 2 years, so plan your test timing accordingly. Hope this sharing helps friends preparing for study abroad!
