If you’re an international student aiming to study in an English-speaking country, proving your English proficiency is crucial. Among the various tests available, IELTS and TOEFL are the most widely accepted by universities worldwide. Let’s dive into what makes these tests unique and how to choose the best one for you.

Top average TOEFL scores: Singapore (97), India (94) Pakistan (92)

What Do IELTS and TOEFL Mean?

• IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System.
• TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language.

Both evaluate your English skills in academic settings, ensuring you can thrive in an English-speaking educational environment.

Which Test Should You Take?

To apply to most universities, take the IELTS Academic test or the TOEFL iBT. These tests are available in multiple formats and can be taken at numerous test centers or from home.

Flexibility in Testing Locations

• IELTS is incredibly accessible, with over 3,000 test centers in more than 60 countries. This extensive network offers unmatched flexibility, allowing you to take the test near home or wherever it is convenient.
• TOEFL also boasts widespread availability, with the added convenience of the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, which lets you take the test from any quiet, uninterrupted location that meets their testing requirements.

Cost and Scheduling

The cost of both IELTS and TOEFL varies depending on your location. You can find detailed pricing and the nearest test center through their respective websites: IELTS and TOEFL. You must contact your local test center to get exact pricing for both tests.

Test from Home Options

• IELTS Online: This option is perfect for those who prefer flexibility. You can take the IELTS test from the comfort of your own home, choosing the time and place that suits you best.
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition: Available 24 hours a day, 4 days a week, this format is ideal if you prefer or need to take the test home. Ensure you have a quiet, private space meeting their technical requirements.

Understanding the Tests: Structure and Questions

While IELTS and TOEFL are accepted by top universities worldwide, they differ significantly in structure and question types. Here’s a brief overview:

• IELTS includes four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The speaking section involves a face-to-face interview, which some students find more engaging and reflective of real-world interactions.
• TOEFL comprises four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The speaking section is completed via a computer, where you respond to prompts, which might be more comfortable for digital communication users.

Choosing the Right Test for You

The best test for you depends on your strengths, test-taking preferences, and the specific requirements of the universities you are applying to. Consider these factors:

• Do you perform better with face-to-face interaction, or are you more comfortable with computer-based tasks?
• Which test is more convenient to take in terms of location and timing?
• What do the universities you’re applying to prefer or require?

By understanding these aspects, you can decide which test aligns best with your needs and goals.

Key Differences and Similarities Between IELTS and TOEFL:

Ownership and Administration:

• IELTS:
  • Jointly owned by the British Council, Cambridge Assessment English, and IDP Australia.
  • Written and administered by Cambridge Assessment English.
  • Test centers are operated globally by the British Council and IDP Australia.
• TOEFL iBT:
  • Owned, written, and administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) in the USA.

Test Methods:

• IELTS Academic:
  • Available in paper-based, computer-based, and online formats.
• TOEFL iBT:
  • Available in paper-based, computer-based, and online formats, including the TOEFL iBT Home Edition.

Test Duration:

• IELTS Academic:
  • Takes under 3 hours to complete.
• TOEFL iBT:
  • Takes under 2 hours to complete.

Scoring System:

• IELTS Academic:
  • Scores range from 0 to 9.
• TOEFL iBT:
  • Scores range from 0 to 120.

Result Availability:

• IELTS Academic:
  • Results are available within 3 to 13 days.
• TOEFL iBT:
  • Results are available within 4 to 13 days.

Marking:

• IELTS Academic:
  • Combines human examiners and automated marking (machine scoring).
• TOEFL iBT:
  • Also uses a combination of human examiners and automated marking (machine scoring).

Acceptance:

• IELTS Academic:
  • Recognized by over 11,000 organizations and institutions worldwide.
• TOEFL iBT:
  • Accepted by over 12,000 universities and institutions globally.

These points provide a clear comparison to help you decide which test best suits your needs for demonstrating English proficiency.

Test Formats

• IELTS Academic
  • Listening: 30 minutes, 40 questions.
  • Reading: 60 minutes, 40 questions.
  • Writing: 60 minutes, 2 tasks.
  • Speaking: 11-14 minutes, 3 parts with a face-to-face examiner.
• TOEFL iBT
  • Listening: 36 minutes, 28 questions.
  • Reading: 35 minutes, 20 questions.
  • Writing: 29 minutes, 2 tasks.
  • Speaking: 16 minutes, 4 tasks with answers recorded and assessed by AI and human reviewers.

Question Types

• IELTS
  • Diverse question types including multiple choice, matching, labeling diagrams, and short-answer questions.
  • Listening and reading sections feature various formats to test comprehension and analytical skills.
• TOEFL
  • Predominantly single-answer multiple-choice questions.
  • Also includes matching and questions where you select multiple answers.

Listening Section

• IELTS
  • Features 4 parts with 10 questions each.
  • Covers both everyday conversations and academic contexts, with a mix of monologues and dialogues.
  • Accents include British, North American, Australian, and New Zealand.
• TOEFL
  • Comprises lectures and conversations.
  • 3 lectures with 6 questions each and 2 conversations with 5 questions per conversation.
  • Uses academic language you would encounter at a university.

Reading Section

• IELTS
  • 3 passages with 2,150-2,750 words total.
  • Texts come from various sources like books, journals, and websites.
  • Questions test a wide range of comprehension skills.
• TOEFL
  • 2 passages, each about 700 words long.
  • Focuses on academic content you might read in a university setting.

Writing Section

• IELTS
  • Task 1: Describe information from a graph, chart, table, or diagram (150 words in 20 minutes).
  • Task 2: Write an essay on a given topic (250 words in 40 minutes).
  • Both tasks are handwritten if you take the paper-based test.
• TOEFL
  • Task 1: Integrated writing task involving reading a passage, listening to a lecture, and writing a response.
  • Task 2: Write an essay stating and supporting an opinion.
  • Total of 30 minutes to complete both tasks.

Speaking Section

• IELTS
  • Conducted with an examiner either face-to-face or via video call.
  • Consists of three parts: personal questions, a prepared talk, and a discussion.
  • May be scheduled on a different day from other test sections.
• TOEFL
  • Responses are recorded via microphone.
  • Involves answering questions based on personal experiences, and listening and reading tasks.
  • Integrated format requires you to listen, respond, or read, listen, and respond.

Scoring

• IELTS
  • Band scores range from 0-9 for each section.
  • Overall band score will be the average of the four skills.
  • Detailed band descriptors available on the IELTS website.
• TOEFL
  • Scores range from 0-30 for each section, with a total score of 0-120.
  • Detailed breakdown of scores and their meanings available on the ETS website.

Minimum Score Requirements

• General Guidelines
  • Foundation: IELTS 5, TOEFL iBT 35-45.
  • Undergraduate: IELTS 6, TOEFL iBT 60-78.
  • Postgraduate: IELTS 7, TOEFL iBT 94-101.
• Score Comparison
  • IELTS 6 ≈ TOEFL iBT 60-78
  • IELTS 7 ≈ TOEFL iBT 94-101
  • IELTS 9 ≈ TOEFL iBT 118-120

Choosing between IELTS and TOEFL depends on your personal preferences, the format you are more comfortable with, and the requirements of the universities you are applying. Both tests are globally recognized and offer various ways to prove your English proficiency.

Explore IELTS and TOEFL to find the best fit for your academic journey.