Both PTE Academic and the TOEFL iBT are computer-based English tests accepted by universities worldwide — but TOEFL changed a lot in 2026. Here is a fair, up-to-date side-by-side on format, length, scoring, speaking, results speed and Australia acceptance so you can pick the right one.
Quick answer
Neither test is objectively "easier" — they test the same skills differently. Since January 2026 the TOEFL iBT is shorter (roughly 100 minutes) and uses a new 1.0–6.0 band scale instead of the old 0–120. PTE Academic keeps its 10–90 scale, its ~2-hour length and its fully AI-scored, record-into-a-microphone speaking. PTE typically returns results faster (often within days) and has particularly broad acceptance for Australian visas and migration. Choose based on your strengths, target institution and how you feel about speaking to a computer.
Both are legitimate, both are computer-based, and both are widely accepted for study.
The biggest 2026 wrinkle is that TOEFL and PTE now look more alike than ever: both are delivered on a computer at a test centre, both score speaking without a live human interviewer, and both are shorter and more efficient than the older paper-and-pencil generation of English exams.
The 2026 TOEFL changes at a glance
If your last research on TOEFL was before 2026, most of it is out of date.
From 21 January 2026, the TOEFL iBT moved to a streamlined format and a brand-new scoring scale:
Shorter test. The whole exam now runs in a single sitting of roughly 100 minutes (well under two hours), down from the older ~3-hour format.
New 1.0–6.0 band scale. Each of the four sections is scored on a 1.0 to 6.0 band in half-point steps, and the overall score is the average of the four, rounded to the nearest half point. This replaces the familiar 0–120 total.
CEFR-aligned. The new bands map to CEFR levels — a 6.0 corresponds to C2, 5.0–5.5 to C1, 4.0–4.5 to B2.
Adaptive Reading & Listening. These two sections now use a multistage adaptive design: do well on the first module and the next gets harder. Speaking and Writing are not adaptive.
Shorter tasks. Writing uses several short tasks rather than one long independent essay.
Transition scores. For a two-year transition period, TOEFL reports also show an equivalent score on the old 0–120 scale so institutions can compare applications.
PTE Academic did not have a comparable overhaul in 2026. Its own big change came in August 2025, when it added new Speaking tasks (Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation) and Australia moved to per-section visa thresholds. PTE still has 22 task types and the 10–90 scale.
Note that PTE and TOEFL organise skills differently. PTE folds many of its tasks into integrated tasks that feed two skills at once, while TOEFL keeps four cleanly separated sections. If you like predictable, clearly labelled sections, TOEFL's structure may feel tidier; if you like efficiency and a single continuous flow, PTE may suit you.
Which is easier?
There's no universal answer — it depends on your profile.
People who prefer PTE often like its generous per-task timing, its fully digital format and its fast, machine-scored results. People who find PTE harder usually point to its brisk pace and the need for balanced skills, because one integrated answer can affect two section scores at once.
The 2026 TOEFL is noticeably more focused than before: fewer, clearly defined task types and a shorter runtime make preparation more predictable. But TOEFL's listening still leans on longer lecture-style passages, which can catch some test-takers off guard, and the adaptive Reading and Listening sections mean the test can get harder as you go.
If speaking under time pressure into a microphone worries you, know that both tests now score speaking by computer without a live examiner — so neither lets you avoid that. If your speaking is your weak point, our PTE speaking fix guide and PTE vs IELTS comparison (IELTS still offers a human interviewer) are worth a look.
Study, work and Australia
Acceptance is where the practical decision often gets made.
For university admission, both tests are accepted by thousands of institutions across the US, UK, Canada, Australia and beyond. Always check the exact test and minimum score your target programme lists, because institutions set their own cut-offs.
For Australia, PTE Academic is a very common choice: it's accepted by Australian universities and is broadly used for student and skilled-migration visas, with the Department of Home Affairs using per-section PTE thresholds for its English levels. TOEFL iBT is also accepted for many Australian purposes, but the accepted tests and versions can differ by visa subclass — so confirm before you book.
Check official sources. English-test acceptance, accepted versions and score requirements vary by country, institution and visa subclass, and can change. For any Australian visa, verify current requirements on the Department of Home Affairs website and speak with a registered migration agent (MARA) about your personal situation. This page explains test facts, not visa eligibility.
One shared rule worth remembering: for Australian visa purposes the at-home / online versions of these tests are generally not accepted — you'll need to sit the test-centre version. See our PTE 2025 changes page for how PTE's own rules shifted.
How to decide
Pick TOEFL if you want a shorter test with a small, predictable set of tasks, you're comfortable with adaptive sections, or your target university specifically prefers TOEFL.
Pick PTE Academic if you want fast machine-scored results, a fully computer-driven experience, strong Australia acceptance, or you process information quickly and like efficiency.
Either works for most university applications — so let your target institution's accepted-test list and your own strengths break the tie.
Whichever you choose, realistic practice matters more than the logo on the test. You can practise PTE tasks free and use our study-plan generator to build a schedule around your weakest skill.
Common questions
What changed about TOEFL in 2026?
From 21 January 2026 the TOEFL iBT became shorter, running in roughly 100 minutes, and switched from the old 0–120 total to a new 1.0–6.0 band scale scored per section and averaged. The Reading and Listening sections are now multistage adaptive, and the new bands are aligned to CEFR levels. For a two-year transition, reports also show an equivalent old 0–120 score.
Is PTE easier than TOEFL?
Neither is objectively easier; it depends on your strengths. Test-takers who like fast, fully computer-scored results and generous per-task timing often prefer PTE, while those who want a shorter test with a small, predictable set of tasks may prefer the 2026 TOEFL. Both now score speaking by computer without a live examiner, so neither lets you avoid recording yourself.
How are PTE and TOEFL scored differently?
PTE Academic uses a 10–90 scale based on the Global Scale of English, with many integrated tasks that contribute to two skills at once. The 2026 TOEFL uses a 1.0–6.0 band for each of its four sections, with the overall score being the average rounded to the nearest half point. The scales are not interchangeable, so always convert to the specific requirement your institution lists.
Which is faster for results, PTE or TOEFL?
PTE Academic is fully AI-scored and often returns results within a few days, sometimes faster. TOEFL results typically take a handful of days as well. If turnaround speed is critical for an application deadline, PTE generally has the edge, but check current timelines on the official websites before booking.
Are both PTE and TOEFL accepted in Australia?
Both are widely accepted by Australian universities, and both are used for various Australian visas, though accepted tests and versions can differ by visa subclass. PTE Academic is a very common choice and is used with per-section English thresholds by the Department of Home Affairs. Always verify current requirements on the Home Affairs website and consult a registered migration agent for your situation.
Do PTE and TOEFL both use a computer for speaking?
Yes. PTE Academic has always had test-takers speak into a microphone with scoring done entirely by AI. The TOEFL iBT is also computer-based and records your spoken responses without a live interviewer. If you specifically want a face-to-face speaking interview, IELTS is the test that still offers one.
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The PTE Master is an independent practice platform and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pearson. "PTE Academic" is a trademark of its owner. Information is provided in good faith and can change — always confirm current details with the official source. Last updated: 24 July 2026.