IELTS vs TOEFL Score Analytics for 2025

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If you are planning to study abroad, then applying for the scholarship and getting admission in your preferred universities requires English proficiency tests like IELTS and TOEFL iBT. Knowing about these tests and their scores can help you to set realistic goals and choose the tests that suit your preferences. In 2025, both of these exams will be widely accepted by the universities, so let’s look at the score analytics of IELTS vs TOEFL for this year to enhance your knowledge on the same.

What is Score Analytics in Language Tests?

Score analytics in language tests means the detailed study and interpretation of test scores according to each section. These score analytics help you to understand how students performed in each section of the listening, reading, writing and speaking, along with the trends across the countries, age groups and test formats.

Score Analyrics helps you to understand the following things:

  • Which sections are easiest or most challenging
  • How do test takers in different countries perform
  • Typical score ranges accepted by universities
  • Where do you personally need improvement
  • How IELTS and TOEFL compare in difficulty

What are IELTS and TOEFL?

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a globally recognised English proficiency test that is mainly accepted in the UK, Canada, Australia, Europe, and many Asian countries. There are two types of IELTS: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is another widely accepted English proficiency test that is especially preferred by U.S. universities. It assesses your skills in Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing through an online test called TOEFL iBT. TOEFL scores range from 0–120, whereas competitive programs usually require 90–110

Before moving ahead with the score analytics, let’s understand the key difference between the IELTS and TOEFL.

FeatureIELTSTOEFL iBT
ModuleIELTS on Computer and IELTS on PaperIELTS on Computer 
Length2 hours 45 minutes3 hours 15 minutes
Score0-90-120
ResultsIELTS on Computer results within 2 days and 7 days for IELTS on Paper test10 days
Score validity2 years2 years 
Source: IELTS IDP India

Also Read: TOEFL Preparation Online Free: Solve Sample Papers

IELTS Score Analytics 2025

IELTS is one of the most widely accepted English tests for studying abroad. That’s why it is very important for students to understand the score analytics and global performance trends. The IELTS system ranges from Band 0-9, with each section of Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.

According to the latest IELTS insights, the average IELTS score is between 5.5 and 7.0. To understand the section-wise IELTS average score as per the 2025 trends, here we have given the recent performance report for the same.

IELTS SectionGlobal Average (2025)
Listening8
Reading7.5
Writing7
Speaking7.5
Overall7.5
Source: IELTS Material

Usually, most international universities accept.

  • 6.5 for undergraduate admission
  • 7.0–7.5 for postgraduate programs, especially in the UK, Canada, and Australia

TOEFL Score Analytics 2025 

TOEFL iBT is an English language test, widely accepted in the U.S., Canada, and Europe. This test has four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing, each scored out of 30. According to the recent ETS performance report, the average global TOEFL scores fall between 85 and 95, where Reading is the strongest section, and Speaking is the most challenging section for the students.

Let’s look at the section-wise Average scores for TOEFL iBT 2025:

TOEFL SectionGlobal Average (2025)
Reading22–23
Listening21–22
Speaking20–21
Writing21–22
Source: ETS Score Table

Regional Performance Comparison: IELTS vs TOEFL (2025)

Score Analytics of these English Profecincy Tests also include the regional performance trend. Understanding the regional score pattern helps students understand where they stand globally and how competitive their scores are for the university’s admission. Here, we have cited the regional performance comparison of IELTS vs TOEFL based on the publicly available sources, like  ETS Score Data Tables, and 2024–2025 regional summaries.

RegionAverage IELTS Score (2025)Average TOEFL Score (2025)
East Asia (China, Japan, Korea)6.0–6.585–95
South Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh)6.0–6.580–90
Middle East5.5–6.078–85
Europe6.5–7.590–100
Latin America5.5–6.580–88
Africa5.0–6.075–85

Also Read: IELTS Reading Practice: Sample Questions with Answers

TOEFL vs IELTS Score Requirements in Top Universities (2025)

While choosing between the TOEFL and IELTS, students often compare the tests, which are widely accepted by the top universities, along with the scores they expect. Here, we have mentioned a table with a clear comparison of TOEFL vs IELTS score requirements across the top universities for 2025 admissions.

UniversityCountryTOEFL Requirement (2025)IELTS Requirement (2025)
Harvard UniversityUSA100+6.5+
MITUSA100-1057.0+
Stanford UniversityUSA100+7.0+
Caltech Canada1007.0+
University of Pennsylvania Canada105+6.5+
UC Berkeley UK100+7.0+
Cornell University UK100+7.5+
Princeton University Singapore105+8.0+
University of British Columbia Australia90-1006.5
University of Toronto Switzerland90–1007.0
Source: Upgrad

Section-Wise Strengths & Weaknesses for TOEFL and IELTS

So, if you prefer TOEFL or IELTS, it is important to prepare accordingly by enhancing your strengths and improving your weaknesses. Let’s look at the section-wise Strengths & Weaknesses for TOEFL and IELTS

SectionIELTS StrengthsTOEFL Strengths
SpeakingFace-to-face speaking, conversational styleRecorded format, no nervousness from live interview 
ReadingVariety in texts (magazines, reports)Academic-style passages, good for university prep
WritingHandwriting or typing (optional)All typing, fast and neat submissions 
ListeningMixed accents, easier for global English speakersAcademic lectures help prepare for university lectures 

FAQs

Are there any changes in IELTS 2025?

IELTS 2025 keeps the same test format, but scoring analytics and online testing options are improving. More universities now accept IELTS Indicator and IELTS Online for admissions.

What TOEFL score is equivalent to IELTS?

Generally, an IELTS 6.5 equals a TOEFL iBT 79–93, while an IELTS 7.0 equals a TOEFL 94–101. Score conversions vary slightly depending on university requirements.

What is IELTS 7.5 equal to in TOEFL?

An IELTS 7.5 is roughly equal to a TOEFL score of 102–109. This range meets the English requirements of top universities like MIT, UCL, UBC, and Melbourne.

Is TOEFL tougher than IELTS?

TOEFL is considered harder for some students because it is fully computer-based and includes integrated tasks. IELTS feels easier to many due to familiar accents and a face-to-face speaking test.

What is a good score for IELTS or TOEFL in 2025?

For top universities, a good IELTS score is 7.0–7.5, and a strong TOEFL score is 95–110. Mid-tier universities usually accept IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80–90.

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