Why are the two names not enough?
TOEIC and TOEFL refer to test families. Here, the main TOEIC reference is Listening and Reading, which assesses listening and reading comprehension. TOEFL iBT also assesses speaking and writing. Other products exist within these families, so compare the exact test names in the application requirements.
The professional context of TOEIC and academic context of TOEFL can help explain their positioning. They do not mean that a school rejects every TOEIC test or that an employer always requires it. The actual requirement depends on the recipient and application process.
What do current admissions pages show?
As of October 15, 2026, HEC Paris’s direct admission page for the 2027 Master in Management intake lists TOEIC with all four parts among its accepted proof of English, subject to exemptions. Prep limited to Listening and Reading is therefore not enough to conclude that you meet this requirement.
The ESSEC Master in Management admissions page for degree holders, checked on the same date, lists TOEIC Listening and Reading and TOEFL iBT, among other options. This difference shows why you should read the page for the specific program and admissions route instead of extrapolating one rule to every school or program.
These examples are not an exhaustive directory. Also check exemptions, validity periods, and the delivery channel for your own application. Published criteria may change.
What additional work does another version require?
Moving from an assessment of receptive skills to one covering all four skills adds production tasks. Being comfortable choosing an answer in a text does not automatically mean you can produce a spoken or written response under time pressure. Account for this difference in your preparation.
Since January 21, 2026, TOEFL iBT has used a 1–6 scale in half-point increments. During the two-year transition announced by ETS, score reports also include a comparable overall score on the former 0–120 scale. Current test-taker pages also describe the new tasks. Use the information for your test date; do not estimate total time by adding approximate base durations.
| Criterion | To be confirmed |
|---|---|
| Skills | Receptive skills only, or productive skills too? |
| Test version | Exact test name and accepted arrangements? |
| Dates | Are the test and result compatible with your application? |
| Prep | Which tasks are actually new to me? |
| Score delivery | Which official document or delivery method is required? |
The pitfall
Looking for a direct score conversion
A score on one test does not convert into a guaranteed result on another through a homemade rule. The skills, tasks, and scales differ. If an institution lists several accepted tests, those are its application requirements, not a universal equation between tests.
Also distinguish “accepted somewhere” from “accepted for my application.” The program, admissions route, and sometimes the testing arrangements must match.
How should you choose when several tests are accepted?
First eliminate options that are incompatible with the application process or timeline. For the remaining options, compare the tasks with your current skills using up-to-date official examples. Consider the work required, available test sessions, and result delivery steps.
If a test name remains ambiguous, request written confirmation from admissions before booking. This article does not announce TOEFL prep from Upsilar; it helps you choose based on verifiable requirements. The TOEFL guide describes the test and its new scale.
Key takeaways
- The test family name is not enough: check the version.
- Schools may require different skills.
- Personal score conversions do not replace published requirements.