Start with what you need the score for
ETS presents ITP as a set of assessments for institutions: placement, progress monitoring, end-of-course assessment, and certain admissions uses. It specifically names admissions to the institution administering the test and institution-specific programs. This does not mean every university accepts every ITP score.
Your first question should not be “Which is easier?” but “Which score report will be accepted for my application?” Note the program, intended start date, admissions route, and full test name on the official page. One institution may have different requirements for different programs: a rule for an exchange program may not apply to a master’s application.
If you are applying to several programs, record the accepted test for each application before booking. Then look for one test that every program explicitly accepts. This simple comparison can prevent you from preparing for a test whose result will be useful for only some applications.
The two tests do not ask for the same kinds of responses
The iBT includes Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. In the current format, test takers write an email and a contribution to an academic discussion, among other tasks, and respond orally. Preparation should therefore include actual writing and speaking practice.
ITP Level 1 and Level 2 use multiple-choice questions for listening comprehension, structure and written expression, and reading; the Level 2 reading section includes vocabulary. ETS also offers an ITP Speaking test, available only with the digital version of Level 1 or Level 2. Do not assume that every ITP includes speaking—or that none does.
The word “Written” can be misleading for French-speaking readers: recognizing a correct structure in a multiple-choice question is not the same as writing a message for a specific reader. Practice focused on grammar structures may help your English, but it does not replace writing practice if you take the iBT.
| Test version | Sections to identify | What this means for your preparation |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | Reading, Listening, Writing, Speaking | Practice comprehension and production |
| TOEFL ITP Level 1 or Level 2 | Three multiple-choice sections | Prepare for the selected level’s tasks |
| TOEFL ITP with Speaking | Speaking test available with digital ITP | Check that it is part of your session |
Read a score alongside its test version
Since January 21, 2026, iBT section and total scores use a 1-to-6 scale in half-point increments. During the two-year transition after January 2026, ETS also includes a comparable total on a 0-to-120 scale. ITP Level 1 totals range from 310 to 677; Level 2 totals range from 200 to 500. These are score scales published by ETS, not admissions cutoffs.
Do not divide an ITP score by its maximum to create an iBT score. That calculation does not demonstrate equivalence in skills, tasks, or acceptance. Even if two scores correspond to the same CEFR level, that does not replace the score report the program requires.
In your application tracker, always record three things together: the test version, the score scale, and the program’s stated requirement. If one is missing, mark the entry for follow-up. A blank field is more useful than an assumed equivalence.
The score calculation, in the TOEFL guide GuideThe pitfall
Booking an ITP because the page says only “TOEFL”
ETS explicitly says that ITP should not replace the iBT. The name TOEFL alone is therefore not enough to conclude that two score reports are interchangeable. A cheaper local option, an earlier test slot, or a session on your campus does not answer the acceptance question.
Also avoid the opposite conclusion: “ITP is never used for admission.” ETS describes specific admissions uses. The right decision depends on the procedure in question, not a blanket prohibition. If the requirements are unclear, ask the admissions office for written confirmation before paying.
Four questions to clarify an unclear requirement
Use this checklist to prepare a question for the program; it is neither an ETS procedure nor a template for common school requirements. Include a link to the rule you read so the person you contact can clarify how it applies to you.
If your institution administers an ITP, ask the organizer these questions too. An available test session does not prove that the recipient will accept the score report. Keep the answer with the program and start-date details, then confirm it still applies when you submit your application.
- Do you accept the TOEFL iBT, TOEFL ITP, or both for this program and start date?
- If ITP is accepted, which level and test format do you require?
- What requirement applies to the total and, if relevant, each section, and on which scale?
- What score-validity period and score-report delivery method do I need to follow?
Two applications, one booking decision
Entirely fictional example: Lina is preparing for an exchange at her university and a master’s application at another institution. The exchange office offers an ITP session for its own process; the master’s program explicitly requires an iBT score. The first piece of information is not enough for the second application.
Lina first checks whether the exchange process also accepts the iBT. If both processes accept it, preparing for one test may cover both needs. If each requires a different report, she plans for two tests or revises her schedule. She does not convert one score to avoid taking the other test.
The same reasoning applies if you already have a score report: start with the document you have and compare its title with the requirement. Whether the score is useful for an application depends on that match before you even look at the number.
Key takeaways
- Choose the version your program accepts before comparing test sessions.
- The ITP Structure and Written Expression section is multiple choice; it does not replace iBT writing.
- ITP Speaking depends on the format offered; check your session details.
- Keep scores on their own scales and ask for clarification whenever a requirement says only “TOEFL.”