TOEFL iBT vs IELTS: Which Should Pakistani Students Choose?

If you’re applying to universities in the US or Canada, you’ve probably noticed that some ask for IELTS, others accept TOEFL, and a few let you choose. So which one is actually easier for a Pakistani student to prepare for?

The Format Difference That Matters Most

TOEFL iBT is entirely computer-based and, crucially, entirely solo — you speak into a microphone and type your essays, with no face-to-face interaction at any point. IELTS, by contrast, still uses a live speaking interview with an examiner (or a recorded video-call format in the computer-delivered version). For students who get nervous speaking to a stranger, TOEFL’s speaking section can feel less intimidating since you’re just talking to a screen. For students who think better out loud in conversation, IELTS speaking can actually play to their strengths.

Vocabulary and Accent

TOEFL leans towards North American English and academic, lecture-style listening passages — think university lectures and campus conversations. IELTS Academic listening includes a wider mix of accents (British, Australian, Canadian) and everyday as well as academic contexts. If you’ve mostly consumed American media growing up, TOEFL’s listening style may feel more familiar.

Scoring

TOEFL scores out of 120 (30 per section), IELTS scores in bands from 0-9. Universities usually publish equivalent cutoffs for both, so neither is inherently “easier” to score well on — it comes down to which format suits your natural strengths.

Our Recommendation

If your target university accepts both, we usually suggest IELTS for students who are already comfortable with British/Australian English and prefer a real conversation for speaking, and TOEFL for students who are more used to American English and would rather avoid a live interview. Still unsure? Message us on WhatsApp and we’ll help you decide based on your actual strengths, not guesswork.