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TOEIC vs TOEFL vs IELTS: which test should you take?

They measure different English for different goals. Pick what you need it for and get the right test in one tap, plus the real differences below.

What do you need the score for?

A guide, not official advice. Always confirm the exact test and score your employer or school asks for.

TOEIC vs TOEFL vs IELTS, side by side

The quickest way to see the difference is what each test measures and what it is used for.

TOEIC L&RTOEFL iBTIELTS
MeasuresEveryday & workplace EnglishAcademic EnglishAcademic / general English
SkillsListening & Reading (S&W separate)All four skillsAll four (live speaking interview)
Score10–9900–1200–9 bands
Mainly used forJobs & companies (esp. Asia)US university admissionUK / AU / CA study & immigration
Length~2 hours~2 hours~2 hours 45 min
FormatMultiple choiceComputer, mixed tasksPaper or computer + interview

Times and formats are approximate and can change; confirm with the official test provider.

Which test for which goal

Here is the short version of the tool above, with the reasoning.

TOEIC Jobs in Asia

Listening & Reading is the standard hiring and promotion benchmark in Japan and Korea (targets like 600 / 730 / 800). Add TOEIC Speaking if the role needs spoken English.

TOEFL US university

An academic, four-skills test scored 0–120, accepted by almost every US university. Most programs want roughly 80–100.

IELTS UK / AU / CA

The standard for study and immigration in the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Academic for university, General Training for work and visas.

OPIc / TOEIC Speaking Korea speaking

Many Korean 대기업 ask for a spoken-English certificate (OPIc levels like IM/IH, or TOEIC Speaking) alongside TOEIC L&R.

Still unsure? Default

For a broadly recognised, affordable proof of everyday and workplace English, TOEIC L&R is the most common default in Asia. Add a skill test later if a school or employer requires it.

How the scores line up (through the CEFR)

The three tests use different scales, so there is no exact conversion. What you can do is line them up through the CEFR, the common European level framework each test maps to. Treat this as a guide, not a formula.

CEFRTOEIC L&RTOEFL iBTIELTS
C1945–99095–1207.0–8.0
B2785–94072–945.5–6.5
B1550–78042–714.0–5.0

So a "B2" level, the common hiring and admissions bar, is roughly TOEIC 785+, TOEFL 72+, or IELTS 5.5+. See our TOEIC to CEFR converter for the full mapping.

The honest bottom line

Choose by purpose, not by which looks easier. If your goal is a job or a company in Japan or Korea, TOEIC is almost always the test that is recognised, and it is the most affordable and approachable of the three. If your goal is a degree in the US, take TOEFL; if it is study or immigration in the UK, Australia or Canada, take IELTS.

And whichever you pick, the way to raise the score is the same: full-length practice in the real format, honest scoring, and review by error type. Our free TOEIC mocks and AI coach are built to do exactly that.

Practise the TOEIC free

If TOEIC is your test, start with a timed mock in the current official format and an instant score. Everything here is free:

Full mock (L&R)A timed 10–990 practice test with an instant score estimate. Speaking & WritingAI-scored against the official ETS band descriptors. Score converterAnswers to an estimated 10–990 score and CEFR level. What score you needTargets by job, company and country.
Take a free TOEIC mock →
Questions, answered

TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS, straight answers

The comparison questions students and job seekers search for most.

What is the difference between TOEIC and TOEFL?
TOEIC measures everyday and workplace English and is used mainly by companies, especially in Japan and Korea; its Listening & Reading test is scored 10 to 990. TOEFL measures academic English across all four skills and is used mainly for university admission, especially in the US, scored 0 to 120. Pick TOEIC for a job, TOEFL for a US degree.
Is TOEIC or TOEFL easier?
They test different things, so neither is simply easier. TOEIC Listening & Reading is multiple choice on everyday and business situations, which many find more approachable. TOEFL adds academic speaking and writing and university-level reading, which is harder for people who do not need academic English. Choose by purpose, not by difficulty.
Which English test do I need for a job in Japan?
TOEIC Listening & Reading. It is the standard English benchmark Japanese companies use for hiring and promotion, with common target scores of 600, 730 and 800+. If the role needs spoken English, add TOEIC Speaking.
Which English test do I need for a job in Korea?
Usually TOEIC Listening & Reading, and often a speaking certificate too. Many Korean large companies (대기업) ask for OPIc or TOEIC Speaking alongside a TOEIC L&R score. Check the specific job posting for which one it names.
Which test do I need for a US university?
TOEFL iBT is the most widely accepted for US university admission, though many schools also accept IELTS Academic. Check each program's minimum score; many want a TOEFL around 80 to 100.
Which test for the UK, Australia or Canada?
IELTS is the standard for study and immigration in the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. Use IELTS Academic for university and IELTS General Training for work and immigration; it is scored in 0 to 9 bands.
Can I use TOEIC to get into university?
Sometimes. Many universities in Japan and Korea accept TOEIC for admission, credit or graduation, but universities in English-speaking countries almost always require TOEFL or IELTS instead. Always check the specific institution.
What is the difference between TOEIC and IELTS?
TOEIC focuses on everyday and workplace English for jobs and is common in Asia; IELTS is a four-skills academic and general test used for study and immigration in the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. IELTS includes a face-to-face speaking interview, which TOEIC does not.
What is OPIc and when do I need it?
OPIc is a spoken-English test widely used by Korean companies, reporting a level such as IM (Intermediate Mid) or IH (Intermediate High). Many 대기업 ask for OPIc or TOEIC Speaking in addition to a TOEIC Listening & Reading score. Take it when a Korean employer specifically requests a speaking certificate.
How do TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS scores compare?
They use different scales and measure different things, so there is no exact conversion, but they can be lined up through the CEFR. Roughly, CEFR B2 is TOEIC L&R 785+, TOEFL iBT about 72 to 94, and IELTS about 5.5 to 6.5. Use CEFR as a bridge, not a precise formula.
Is TOEIC accepted internationally?
TOEIC is recognised in around 160 countries and by thousands of organisations, but it is used mostly for jobs and companies, and its centre of gravity is Asia. For university admission or immigration in English-speaking countries, TOEFL or IELTS is usually required instead.
Which test is shorter or cheaper?
TOEIC Listening & Reading is about two hours and is often the most affordable of the three; TOEFL iBT is about two hours; IELTS is about two hours and 45 minutes and includes a live speaking interview. Exact fees vary by country, so check your local test centre.