IESE Business School ranks among the top three MBA programs in the world and uses the case method exclusively in its classroom. IESE requires a TOEFL score equivalent to 100 on the old scale, which translates to band 5.0 on the new TOEFL iBT scoring system for MBA admission. The Bachelor in Management requires band 4.5 or higher. Speaking matters enormously at IESE because every class session depends on students articulating complex arguments in real time. Section balance matters more here than at most schools. A band 5.0 overall with band 5.5 in Speaking is a much stronger application than band 5.0 overall with band 4.0 in Speaking. After 25 years of preparing candidates who were admitted to IESE from our Barcelona office, we have learned that the Speaking section is where IESE applications are won or lost.
This page is the most detailed public guide to TOEFL preparation for IESE Business School admission. It covers the exact scores you need for the MBA, Bachelor in Management, Master in Management, and specialized programs. It explains why IESE places exceptional weight on the Speaking section, how IESE compares with ESADE, IE University, and Bocconi on TOEFL requirements, a complete preparation timeline, the five most common mistakes IESE applicants make on the TOEFL, and how the free PrepDrills TOEFL app and Epic Exam Prep coaching work together to get candidates admitted.
If you are exploring TOEFL preparation more broadly, start with the PrepDrills TOEFL app page. If you are comparing European business schools, our guides to TOEFL for INSEAD and TOEFL preparation in Spain cover related ground. This page focuses specifically on IESE Business School and what it takes to meet every program's TOEFL requirements.
IESE is a school that takes English proficiency seriously, not because of bureaucratic requirements, but because the classroom literally cannot function without it. Understanding that distinction is the first step toward building a TOEFL preparation strategy that results in admission. The case method depends on every student being able to express, defend, and refine ideas in English under pressure. Your TOEFL score is the admissions committee's primary evidence that you can do this from the first day of classes.
What TOEFL score do you need for IESE Business School?
IESE Business School offers several degree programs, each with its own English proficiency requirement. The MBA is the flagship program and the one most applicants are targeting. But the Bachelor in Management, the Master in Management (MiM), specialized masters programs, and the Executive MBA all have TOEFL requirements that candidates need to understand before they begin preparing.
The new TOEFL iBT scale uses bands from 1 to 5 for each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) and an overall band from 1 to 5. The old scale scored each section from 0 to 30 for a total out of 120. The conversion matters because some IESE resources still reference the old scoring system, while the testing experience you will encounter uses the new band system. Here is what the IESE requirements look like across both scoring systems and across all programs.
IESE MBA
The published minimum for IESE MBA admission. This is a firm threshold enforced consistently by the admissions team. Competitive candidates score band 5.0 to 5.5, with particular strength expected in Speaking. The case method classroom makes Speaking ability a functional requirement, not just an admissions checkbox.
MBA Competitive Range
Most admitted IESE MBA students score in this range. A score of band 5.0 with strong section balance is solid. Band 5.5 removes English proficiency as a potential concern and lets the admissions committee focus entirely on your professional profile, leadership potential, and program fit.
Bachelor in Management
The IESE Bachelor in Management (BBA) requires a TOEFL score equivalent to approximately 90 on the old scale. This four year undergraduate program is taught in English and prepares students for global business careers. Competitive applicants typically score band 4.5 to 5.0 with balanced section performance.
Master in Management (MiM)
The IESE MiM targets recent graduates and early career professionals. The TOEFL requirement aligns with the Bachelor in Management at band 4.5 or higher. Strong Speaking scores strengthen your application because the MiM also uses case method instruction in many of its courses.
Specialized Masters Programs
IESE offers specialized masters degrees in areas such as finance and advanced management. These programs require a TOEFL minimum of approximately band 4.5, though competitive applicants typically score higher. Check the specific program's admissions page for current requirements as these programs evolve.
Executive MBA (EMBA)
The IESE Executive MBA evaluates English proficiency as part of the admissions process, but requirements may be assessed individually given the seniority of the candidate pool. Many EMBA candidates demonstrate proficiency through their professional background and interview performance, supplemented by a TOEFL or equivalent score.
The critical distinction for IESE, particularly the MBA, is the Speaking section. At most business schools, the overall TOEFL score carries the weight of the English proficiency requirement. IESE is different. The admissions committee pays close attention to Speaking because the program depends on it. Every course at IESE uses the case method, which means every class session requires you to speak up, defend positions, challenge arguments, and build on what others are saying. A candidate who reads and writes well in English but struggles to articulate ideas verbally will face significant challenges from the first day of the program.
This is why a band 5.0 overall with a band 5.5 in Speaking is a materially stronger application than a band 5.5 overall with a band 4.0 in Speaking. The first candidate demonstrates the verbal agility IESE needs. The second candidate raises concerns about classroom participation that can overshadow an otherwise strong profile.
For the Bachelor in Management, the Speaking requirement is less intense than for the MBA, but it still matters. Undergraduate students at IESE participate in discussions, deliver presentations, and collaborate on group projects in English. A balanced score at band 4.5 or above, with no significant weakness in any section, is the profile that puts undergraduate applicants in the strongest position.
IESE's TOEFL philosophy: why Speaking is everything for the case method
To understand why IESE weighs the TOEFL Speaking section so heavily, you need to understand how the MBA program actually works on a daily basis. IESE is not a lecture school. Professors do not stand at the front of the room and deliver information while students take notes. The entire program is structured around case discussions where every student is expected to contribute substantively, every day, in every class.
The case method at IESE
In a typical IESE MBA class, students receive a business case the evening before. They read 15 to 30 pages of material describing a real company facing a real strategic challenge. They analyze the situation, crunch the numbers, and prepare their recommendations. The next morning, the professor opens the discussion by calling on a student to present their analysis. From there, the entire class engages in a structured debate about the best course of action. Students challenge each other, build on arguments, introduce counterpoints, and work together toward conclusions that no individual could reach alone.
IESE is one of only a small number of business schools worldwide that uses the case method as its exclusive teaching format. Harvard Business School pioneered the approach, and IESE is widely recognized as the leading case method school in Europe. This distinction matters for TOEFL preparation because it means the Speaking requirement at IESE is not merely an admissions formality. It is a functional prerequisite for academic survival. Class participation counts toward your grade in every course. If you cannot articulate complex business ideas clearly, quickly, and persuasively in English, you will struggle academically regardless of how strong your analytical skills may be.
Speaking as a proxy for classroom readiness
The IESE admissions committee uses the TOEFL Speaking score as a proxy for your readiness to participate in case discussions from day one. They know that a candidate who scores band 5.0 or higher in Speaking has demonstrated the ability to organize thoughts quickly, deliver coherent responses under time pressure, and communicate ideas with clarity and precision. These are the same skills that determine whether a student thrives or struggles in the case method classroom at IESE.
The admissions interview serves as an additional check on your verbal English ability. IESE interviews are thorough and conversational, conducted either by admissions staff or trained alumni. The interviewer is evaluating your fit with the program, your professional maturity, and your ability to communicate effectively. If your TOEFL Speaking score is strong but your interview performance is weak, that inconsistency will raise questions. If both are strong, you have provided consistent evidence that English communication is a strength rather than a limitation. The interview and the TOEFL work together to give the admissions committee a complete picture of your verbal readiness.
The Barcelona context
IESE is located in Barcelona, Spain, a city where the primary languages are Spanish and Catalan. English is not the language of the street, the restaurants, or the daily culture. This means the classroom is the primary environment where English communication happens for most international students. Unlike studying at a business school in London or New York, where the surrounding environment provides constant English immersion, IESE students rely on the classroom and their cohort for English language engagement. This makes classroom English proficiency even more critical because there is less environmental reinforcement outside the school.
The diversity of the student body adds another dimension. A typical IESE MBA cohort includes students from over 60 nationalities speaking dozens of native languages. English is the common language that connects students from Spain, India, China, Brazil, Germany, the Middle East, and beyond. Everyone must be able to express complex business ideas in English clearly enough that classmates from entirely different linguistic backgrounds can follow and respond. The TOEFL Speaking score is the admissions committee's best available indicator of whether a candidate can do this effectively from the start of the program.
Spanish is not required
A common question from IESE applicants is whether they need to demonstrate Spanish proficiency alongside English. The answer is no. IESE does not require Spanish language certification for any of its English taught programs. The MBA is conducted entirely in English. While living in Barcelona certainly benefits from Spanish or Catalan ability, the admissions process evaluates only English proficiency through the TOEFL or an equivalent test. IESE does offer optional Spanish courses for students who want to develop the language during their time in Barcelona, and many students take advantage of this opportunity. But for admissions purposes, focus exclusively on the TOEFL. Your preparation time is better spent bringing your Speaking score up by half a band than starting Spanish from scratch.
IESE vs ESADE vs IE University vs Bocconi: TOEFL comparison
MBA candidates rarely apply to just one program. If you are considering IESE, you are likely also evaluating ESADE Business School (also in Barcelona), IE University in Madrid, and Bocconi University in Milan. Here is how the TOEFL requirements compare across these leading European business schools, along with key program differences that affect how each school uses your TOEFL score.
| Factor | IESE | ESADE | IE University | Bocconi |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Location | Barcelona, Spain | Barcelona, Spain | Madrid, Spain | Milan, Italy |
| TOEFL minimum (old scale) | 100 | 100 | 95 to 100 | 100 |
| TOEFL minimum (new band) | Band 5.0 | Band 5.0 | Band 4.5 to 5.0 | Band 5.0 |
| Speaking emphasis | Very high (case method) | High (mixed methods) | Moderate to high | Moderate |
| MBA program length | 19 months | 12 to 18 months | 13 months | 12 months |
| Classroom format | Case method exclusive | Mixed: cases, lectures, simulations | Mixed: cases, projects, online | Mixed: lectures, cases, projects |
| Class diversity | 60+ nationalities | 50+ nationalities | 70+ nationalities | 50+ nationalities |
| Local language required | No (Spanish helpful) | No (Spanish helpful) | No (Spanish helpful) | No (Italian helpful) |
Several patterns emerge from this comparison. IESE has the strongest Speaking emphasis of the four schools because of its exclusive use of the case method. ESADE uses a mixed teaching format that combines case discussions with lectures, simulations, and team projects, which means Speaking matters but is not as singularly dominant as at IESE. IE University in Madrid is known for innovation in its teaching format and has a slightly more flexible TOEFL threshold for some programs. Bocconi in Milan matches IESE on the overall minimum but places less emphasis on Speaking because its classroom format includes more traditional lecture components.
The most important takeaway for candidates applying to multiple programs is this: if you target band 5.0 with strong Speaking at band 5.0 or above, you satisfy the requirements of all four programs comfortably. You do not need separate preparation strategies for each school. One strong TOEFL score with balanced sections covers the entire range of European business schools you might apply to.
For candidates choosing between IESE and ESADE specifically, both schools are in Barcelona, both are world class, and both require essentially the same TOEFL minimum. The key difference for TOEFL preparation is that IESE's exclusive use of the case method makes Speaking your most important section, while ESADE's mixed format allows for a slightly more balanced approach where Writing and Reading carry relatively more weight. If you are applying to both, prepare for the higher standard, which is IESE's Speaking emphasis, and you will be well positioned for ESADE as well.
TOEFL preparation timeline for IESE Business School
The most successful IESE candidates we have worked with share one preparation habit: they complete the TOEFL early in their application process, well before the pressures of essays, recommendation letters, and GMAT or GRE preparation consume their attention. Here is the timeline we recommend based on 25 years of working with admitted candidates at our Barcelona office, where we have direct proximity to IESE and its admissions cycles.
Step 1: Diagnostic assessment (8 to 10 months before application deadline)
Take the free PrepDrills TOEFL diagnostic assessment at toefl.prepdrills.com to establish your current band level across all four sections. Pay particular attention to your Speaking score. If your overall diagnostic is at or above band 5.0 but Speaking is below band 4.5, you have a clear priority. If your overall diagnostic is below band 4.0, plan for a longer preparation period of 3 to 5 months before your first official test date. For Bachelor in Management applicants, your target is band 4.5, so calibrate your timeline accordingly.
Step 2: Set section targets (8 months before deadline)
Based on your diagnostic, set specific targets for each section. For MBA applicants, your overall target is band 5.0 minimum with band 5.0 or higher in Speaking. For Bachelor in Management applicants, target band 4.5 overall with balanced sections. If your diagnostic reveals a significant gap between your strongest and weakest sections, allocate your study time proportionally. For IESE MBA candidates, a balanced band 5.0 is stronger than a lopsided profile with one section at band 5.5 and another at band 3.5. Section balance demonstrates consistent English ability, which is exactly what the case method classroom requires.
Step 3: Daily Speaking practice (7 to 5 months before deadline)
Speaking improvement requires daily practice, and there are no shortcuts. Use PrepDrills TOEFL with Eppy AI feedback to practice integrated Speaking tasks every day for 20 to 30 minutes. Focus on the integrated tasks where you read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then speak about the relationship between the two. These tasks are the closest TOEFL equivalent to what you will do in IESE case discussions: absorb information from multiple sources and articulate a coherent position under time pressure. Record yourself regularly and review Eppy's feedback on pronunciation, fluency, and coherence. Track your improvement weekly so you can see measurable progress.
Step 4: Full section practice (5 to 3 months before deadline)
Expand your preparation to include all four sections with timed practice. Complete full practice tests every two weeks to build stamina and track progress across all sections. Reading and Listening tend to improve steadily with consistent practice. Writing requires attention to both the integrated writing task format and the academic discussion task. Continue daily Speaking practice alongside your broader preparation. The TOEFL is a demanding test that requires sustained focus, and students who practice under timed conditions consistently outperform those who practice individual questions without time pressure. Building endurance is especially important for the MBA level band 5.0 target.
Step 5: Take the TOEFL (4 to 6 months before deadline)
Schedule your first official TOEFL test date 4 to 6 months before your target IESE application deadline. IESE typically has Round 1 deadlines in September or October. If you are targeting Round 1, take the TOEFL in April or May. This provides a comfortable window for a retake if needed. If you are targeting Round 2 or later, adjust your timeline accordingly. For Bachelor in Management applicants, check the specific application deadlines and work backward. The key is completing the TOEFL early enough that it does not compete for attention with the rest of your application preparation.
Step 6: Submit your IESE application
With your TOEFL score secured, turn your full attention to your IESE application. Send your TOEFL score report to IESE using the ETS score sending service. Complete your application essays, gather your recommendation letters, finalize your resume, and prepare for the Kira video component using our IESE MBA video essay preparation guide. Submit in the earliest round possible. IESE evaluates applications on a rolling basis within each round. Earlier submission within a round demonstrates organization and commitment, and it can be advantageous when waitlist decisions are being made later in the cycle. A completed TOEFL score is one less variable in what is already a complex and demanding application process.
Candidates who already have a strong English foundation and score band 4.5 or higher on the diagnostic can compress this timeline to 6 to 8 weeks of focused preparation. The key variable is your starting point, particularly in Speaking. If your Speaking diagnostic is at or above band 4.5, you are in a strong position to reach band 5.0 with focused practice over a shorter period. If your Speaking diagnostic is below band 4.0, plan for a longer preparation arc and consider adding Epic Exam Prep coaching to accelerate your progress.
Five most common TOEFL mistakes by IESE applicants
After 25 years of working with MBA candidates and undergraduate applicants targeting IESE from our Barcelona office, these are the mistakes we encounter most frequently. Every one of them is avoidable with the right preparation approach and a clear understanding of what IESE actually needs from your TOEFL score.
Mistake 1: Ignoring the Speaking section until the final week
MBA candidates and undergraduate applicants often have strong Reading and Writing skills from their academic and professional experience. Reports, emails, presentations, and business documents are part of daily life. But Speaking in a structured test format is a different skill entirely. The TOEFL Speaking section requires you to organize thoughts in 15 to 30 seconds and deliver a coherent response in 45 to 60 seconds. Most professional or academic settings do not impose these constraints. Candidates who leave Speaking preparation for the final week before the test consistently underperform relative to their actual ability. Speaking improvement requires daily practice over weeks, not a last minute sprint. This is especially costly for IESE applicants because the case method classroom amplifies the importance of Speaking beyond what any other section can compensate for. Start with Speaking and maintain it throughout your preparation period.
Mistake 2: Assuming professional English equals TOEFL readiness
Many IESE MBA applicants work in English daily. They conduct meetings, write reports, and manage international teams. This leads to a common assumption: because they function effectively in an English speaking workplace, they will score well on the TOEFL without significant preparation. The TOEFL tests specific skills in a specific format. Academic listening passages use vocabulary and structures that differ substantially from business English. Integrated tasks require skills that most professionals rarely exercise in their work. A strong professional English speaker who scores band 4.0 on their diagnostic is not unusual. The TOEFL measures different competencies than workplace fluency. This is particularly relevant for IESE candidates in Barcelona who may use English extensively at work but switch to Spanish or Catalan in daily life, creating a gap between perceived fluency and test performance.
Mistake 3: Taking the TOEFL too close to the application deadline
Some candidates schedule the TOEFL two or three weeks before their IESE application deadline, leaving no room for a retake. If the score falls short, they face a difficult choice: submit with a below target score, rush to retake the test within days, or postpone to a later application round. All three options are suboptimal and add unnecessary stress to an already demanding process. Taking the TOEFL 4 to 6 months before your deadline eliminates this pressure entirely. If you hit your target on the first attempt, you are free to focus on essays, recommendations, and interview preparation. If you fall short, you have time for targeted preparation and a retake without disrupting your application timeline or compromising the quality of other application components.
Mistake 4: Overlooking section score balance for IESE
A candidate with band 5.0 overall but band 3.5 in Speaking and band 5.5 in Reading faces a specific problem at IESE. The overall score technically meets the minimum, but the Speaking weakness will concern the admissions committee. IESE reviews the full score report, not just the overall band. Section imbalances suggest specific vulnerabilities that could affect classroom performance in the case method environment. The strongest IESE applications show consistent performance across all four sections, with Speaking at or above the overall band. If your diagnostic reveals a significant gap between sections, invest your preparation time in bringing the weaker section up rather than pushing the stronger section even higher. For IESE specifically, an extra half band in Speaking is worth more than an extra half band in any other section.
Mistake 5: Preparing for TOEFL and GMAT or GRE simultaneously without structure
IESE requires both a TOEFL (or IELTS) score and a GMAT or GRE score for MBA admission. Many candidates try to prepare for both tests at the same time without a structured schedule, which results in mediocre preparation for both and lower scores across the board. The more effective approach is to sequence your preparation: complete the TOEFL first, then shift your full attention to the GMAT or GRE. The TOEFL is generally the faster test to prepare for, especially for candidates who already have strong English foundations. Completing it first gives you an early win, builds test taking confidence, and clears your schedule for the more intensive GMAT or GRE preparation that typically requires 2 to 4 months of focused study. Sequential preparation beats parallel preparation nearly every time we have seen it.
How PrepDrills TOEFL prepares you for IESE Business School
PrepDrills TOEFL is a free TOEFL preparation app built by the same team behind Epic Exam Prep, with specific attention to the needs of candidates targeting competitive programs like IESE. The app is available now at toefl.prepdrills.com with no paywall and no premium tier. Our Barcelona office works directly with IESE candidates, and that proximity informs every aspect of how we built the app.
Speaking first approach
PrepDrills TOEFL is designed with the understanding that Speaking is the highest value section for IESE candidates. The app provides extensive Speaking practice with two types of tasks: independent Speaking tasks where you express and defend your own opinion, and integrated Speaking tasks where you read, listen, and then speak about the relationship between the two sources. Both task types are timed to match the actual TOEFL format, so you build the pacing skills you need for test day. For IESE candidates, the integrated tasks are particularly valuable because they mirror the case method skill of absorbing information from multiple sources and then articulating a position under time pressure. This is precisely what you will do every day at IESE: read the case, process the data, and then defend your analysis in front of your classmates and professor.
Eppy AI grader
Eppy is the AI grading engine inside PrepDrills TOEFL, and it is available now for every user at no cost. For Speaking practice, Eppy evaluates your responses across multiple dimensions: pronunciation clarity, fluency and pacing, coherence and organization, vocabulary range and accuracy, and grammar usage. After each response, Eppy provides specific feedback on what was strong and what needs improvement. This is the kind of detailed, immediate feedback that was previously available only from a human tutor in a one on one session. For IESE candidates, Eppy's pronunciation and fluency feedback is especially valuable because these are the dimensions that determine whether your spoken English is easy for a diverse international audience to follow. In an IESE classroom with 60 plus nationalities, clarity of expression is not a luxury. It is a basic requirement for effective participation. Eppy helps you build that clarity through consistent, data driven feedback that improves with every session.
Full section practice
Beyond Speaking, PrepDrills TOEFL covers all four sections of the TOEFL with comprehensive question banks and timed practice. The Reading section includes academic passages at the difficulty level that appears on the actual TOEFL, covering topics in science, social science, and humanities. The Listening section features academic lectures and conversations with the kinds of note taking challenges that test your ability to capture key information in real time. The Writing section covers both the integrated writing task and the academic discussion task, with Eppy providing detailed feedback on organization, development, and language use. Every section includes Eppy AI feedback, so you receive specific guidance on where to focus your preparation regardless of which skill you are practicing. The full section coverage ensures that your TOEFL score is balanced across all four areas, which is exactly what IESE wants to see.
Free diagnostic assessment
The PrepDrills TOEFL diagnostic assessment is available at toefl.prepdrills.com/assessment/start. It provides an estimated band level for each section and an overall band estimate, giving you a clear picture of where you stand relative to the IESE band 5.0 minimum for MBA or band 4.5 for Bachelor in Management. The diagnostic takes approximately 45 minutes and covers all four sections. After completing the diagnostic, Eppy recommends a preparation plan calibrated to your target score and timeline. For IESE candidates, the diagnostic is the essential first step because it tells you whether you need weeks or months of preparation and which sections, especially Speaking, require the most focused attention before your test date.
When PrepDrills TOEFL is enough, and when to add Epic coaching for IESE
PrepDrills TOEFL and Epic Exam Prep coaching serve different purposes, and understanding when each is the right fit helps you use your preparation time and budget effectively. Our Barcelona office gives us direct access to IESE and its culture, which informs the coaching approach for candidates targeting this specific school.
PrepDrills TOEFL alone
For most IESE candidates, PrepDrills TOEFL alone provides sufficient preparation to reach band 5.0 for MBA or band 4.5 for Bachelor in Management. The app is designed as a complete preparation system, not a supplement that requires additional instruction to be useful. If your diagnostic score is at or above band 4.5, you have a strong English foundation, and you are comfortable with self directed study, PrepDrills TOEFL gives you everything you need: the Speaking practice with Eppy AI feedback, the section question banks, the timed practice tests, and the diagnostic assessment to track your progress. The app is free, so there is no financial barrier to starting immediately. Most self motivated candidates with a band 4.5 diagnostic reach band 5.0 within 4 to 8 weeks of consistent daily practice using the app. For Bachelor in Management applicants starting at band 4.0, the timeline is similar for reaching band 4.5.
Epic Exam Prep coaching for IESE
Epic Exam Prep coaching becomes valuable in specific situations. If your diagnostic score is more than one full band below your target, structured coaching with a human teacher accelerates improvement more reliably than self study. If your Speaking score is significantly weaker than your other sections, Epic teachers identify the specific pronunciation, fluency, and coherence issues that AI feedback supplements but does not fully replace. And if you are managing TOEFL preparation alongside GMAT or GRE study and MBA application writing, Epic coaching helps you create a structured timeline that prevents any single component from being neglected. This is particularly common among IESE candidates who are also applying to ESADE, IE, or other European schools and need to manage multiple application timelines simultaneously.
Epic Exam Prep has offices in Barcelona and has worked with IESE candidates for over 25 years, with particular expertise in the Speaking skills that IESE values. Our proximity to the IESE campus means we understand the school's culture, the admissions process, and the specific demands of the case method classroom at a level that goes beyond generic test preparation. Epic offers both in person coaching at our Barcelona office and online sessions for candidates worldwide. Learn more at epicexamprep.com.
PrepDrills TOEFL plus Epic coaching combined
The strongest preparation approach for ambitious IESE candidates combines PrepDrills TOEFL for daily practice with Epic coaching for strategy, accountability, and personalized feedback. The app handles volume: daily Speaking practice, regular section practice, and diagnostic tracking. The coaching handles nuance: identifying subtle pronunciation patterns that affect intelligibility, developing strategies for the integrated tasks, and providing the kind of qualitative feedback that helps you move from band 4.5 to band 5.5. This combination is particularly effective for candidates whose diagnostic reveals a Speaking score more than half a band below their target, candidates with less than 6 weeks before their test date, candidates who are simultaneously preparing for the GMAT or GRE, and candidates applying to multiple top schools who need to coordinate several application timelines at once.
IESE admission depends on many factors: your professional experience, your GMAT or GRE score, your essays, your interview, your recommendation letters, and your TOEFL score. The TOEFL is one of the fastest components to complete and one of the easiest to control. Getting it done early and getting it done well removes one variable from a complex application process and lets you focus your energy where it will have the greatest impact on your overall candidacy. For Bachelor in Management applicants, the same principle applies: completing the TOEFL early and scoring at or above band 4.5 lets you focus on the rest of your application with confidence.
Whether you are targeting the IESE MBA, the Bachelor in Management, the MiM, or any of IESE's specialized programs, the preparation approach is consistent. Start with the free PrepDrills TOEFL diagnostic, identify your current level and your gaps, build a focused preparation plan with Speaking at the center, and complete the TOEFL well before your application deadline. If you need additional support, Epic Exam Prep is here in Barcelona to help. The path to IESE admission starts with proving that you can communicate at the level their classroom demands, and the TOEFL is your opportunity to make that proof undeniable.