IELTS vs TOEFL for Scholarships: Target Scores & Free Prep (2026)

Almost every scholarship that ships you outside Africa expects an English test result. The wrong score doesn't just lose you the award — it kills your visa later. This is the short version of what to take, what score to aim for, and how to prep without paying for an expensive course.

Which test for which scholarship?

Always confirm at the source — universities can ask for a higher band than the scholarship floor.

A free 6-week prep plan

1. Week 1 — diagnostic. Take one full free practice test (British Council for IELTS, ETS TOEFL Practice Sets). Note your weakest section.
2. Weeks 2–3 — listening & reading. 30 min/day of BBC 6 Minute English / NPR podcasts; one timed reading passage daily.
3. Weeks 4–5 — writing. Write one Task 2 / Independent essay every other day. Use the official rubric to self-score.
4. Week 6 — speaking + mock test. Record yourself answering 10 Part-2 / Independent prompts. Take a second full mock 4 days before the real test.

The retake strategy

One full retake costs $215–$300. Plan for it. Book your first sitting at least 6 weeks before your scholarship deadline, and your retake window 3–4 weeks after that. Most African applicants who fall short do so on writing — usually because they treated it like a school essay rather than an exam-format response.

Frequently asked questions