IELTS vs TOEFL: Difference Between IELTS and TOEFL

So, your English proficiency has significantly improved. In fact, the only thing standing between you and the abundant educational, career, and lifestyle opportunities accessible to English speakers is an official certification – either an IELTS or TOEFL certificate! But the question remains: which one should you opt for?

In brief, if you’re applying to a university in the United States, the TOEFL is likely the more suitable choice. Geared towards assessing academic English skills, it holds preference among 90% of US colleges. On the other hand, the IELTS might be your preferable selection for other scenarios. With its offerings of both general and academic modules, it is commonly utilized for visa applications, employment prospects, as well as university admissions.

However, delving into the details, it’s worth noting that an increasing number of educational institutions, employers, and even governmental bodies acknowledge both IELTS and TOEFL scores. If you have the flexibility to decide, it’s advisable to choose the certification that best highlights your strengths. Which one that is, precisely? To aid you in making this determination, we have compiled a comprehensive overview of what each exam entails, along with a list of key factors to consider. This will assist you in making a well-informed decision!

What is the IELTS test?

At present, the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) holds the distinction of being the most widely recognized English language proficiency assessment globally. Its primary applications encompass university admissions beyond the United States, migration aspirations to Australia, Canada, New Zealand, or the United Kingdom, as well as employment opportunities.

Here’s a concise overview of the IELTS:

Official resources for the IELTS are available from three entities. The administration of the IELTS is overseen by three organizations: The British Council, an Australian examining body known as IDP: IELTS Australia, and a British examination board named Cambridge Assessment English.

Different versions of the IELTS exist for students and workers/migrants. IELTS Academic is designed for individuals seeking to pursue English-based studies, while IELTS General Training caters to those requiring everyday English competence for work or migration purposes. Although their formats are largely similar, IELTS Academic features more scholarly materials, whereas IELTS General Training emphasizes language applicable in daily life, such as newspaper articles and emails.

A specialized IELTS variant is available for those relocating to the UK. If your intentions involve living, working, or studying in the UK, you may need the UKVI IELTS, a specialized version. Consult UK Visas and Immigration to ascertain if this option pertains to your circumstances.

Online options for the IELTS exist, yet their acceptance varies. While the complete IELTS exam must be taken at an authorized assessment center, an online variation called the IELTS Indicator was introduced in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. Meant to provide an “indication” of your IELTS proficiency level, this version can be completed from home. However, its recognition is not universal, so it’s advisable to confirm its suitability before committing.

For the full IELTS test, an in-person visit to a test center is required. With over 1,600 centers worldwide, you can locate your nearest one accordingly.

Scores are assigned on a scale of 1-9. Upon taking the IELTS, you will receive four individual scores, one for each test section—listening, reading, writing, and speaking. These scores range from 1 to 9, where 1 signifies “A few weeks of Duolingo” and 9 implies native-like fluency. While half-points are possible for individual sections, your overall score will be a whole number, representing the rounded average of your four component marks.

An official passing score is not universally defined. The score necessary varies based on the specific university, country, or company to which you are applying. Typically, universities seek scores within the range of 6 to 7.5. Migration-related passing scores tend to rely on a combination of factors.

What is the TOEFL test?

The TOEFL serves as a standardized assessment for evaluating English proficiency, predominantly favored by American colleges. Here are key insights about the TOEFL:

• The exclusive provider of official TOEFL resources is the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private US-based exam board.
• Its primary purpose is US college admission, with 9 out of 10 US universities showing a preference. Nevertheless, it’s recognized by 11,000+ colleges across 150+ countries, including 100% of UK universities and select institutions in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
• It is less commonly employed for visa applications than the IELTS due to its focus on academic English. However, as of 2020, the TOEFL is accepted for skilled migration visas to Australia and New Zealand.
• Distinct versions cater to youngsters: TOEFL ITP independently assesses English levels of students, while TOEFL Junior targets ages 11-16 and TOEFL Primary is for children aged 11+.
• There exist two main versions: paper-based (TOEFL-PBT) and internet-based (TOEFL-iBV). The default as of 2020 is the Internet-Based Version (iBV), though the Paper Test (PBT) is available for those preferring handwritten answers.
• The scoring approach differs between paper and internet versions, with TOEFL scores ranging from 0 to 120 for iBV and 310 to 677 for PBT. The paper version, offered four times annually, lacks a speaking section.
• The full test transitioned online in 2020 with the TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition, except for Iran and China. It mirrors the in-person experience, taking three hours with a ten-minute break and webcam proctoring to prevent cheating.
• Similar to the IELTS, there’s no universal passing score. Institutions set score requirements. Accepted TOEFL iBT scores vary, from 61 (Bowling Green State University) to 110 (University of Oxford).

IELTS vs TOEFL: comparing the big two English tests

IELTS vs TOEFL: equivalent scores 

IELTS vs TOEFL: section by section

Speaking

Out of the four sections, speaking is where the IELTS and the TOEFL differ the most.

IELTS – Speaking

The IELTS Speaking component stands apart from the rest of the test, as it necessitates a separate booking with an examiner, scheduled within seven days of the main exam. Unlike the TOEFL, this section entails direct interaction with an individual and follows a predetermined structure, rendering it less spontaneous and more manageable for preparation. The speaking test is divided into three segments:

1. Part #1: Responding to inquiries about familiar subjects like family, work, studies, and hobbies.
2. Part #2: Discussing a given topic extensively, known as the “long turn.” You’re provided one minute to contemplate and one to two minutes to speak. The examiner may ask follow-up questions afterward.
3. Part #3: Engaging in a dialogue on abstract concepts related to the topic in Part #2.

The IELTS speaking section often evokes apprehension among candidates due to its rigid structure, demanding practice even for advanced speakers. Proficiency involves timing your responses within one to two minutes and arranging them to meet grading criteria. Familiarity with this format is essential before the actual test, and seeking guidance from an IELTS-specialist tutor on platforms

TOEFL – Speaking

The Speaking segment of the TOEFL examination spans 17 minutes and encompasses four questions. Differing from the IELTS, interaction with an actual person is absent. Instead, you’ll respond to recorded questions and deliver your answers via a microphone. This section evaluates your capacity to address inquiries within an academic context.

Each answer you provide receives a score ranging from 0 to 4. These individual scores are then aggregated and scaled from 0 to 30 to yield your overall Speaking section score.

Question #1 falls under the “independent” category, involving no supplementary reading or listening materials. You’ll be presented with two situations or viewpoints and asked to express a preference, accompanied by a rationale. After the recording concludes, you’ll have 15 seconds to think and 45 seconds to respond.

Question #2 is classified as “integrated” and involves additional reading and listening materials. Following a passage reading about a campus-related topic, you’ll hear a corresponding conversation. Your task is to describe the topic and summarize both speakers’ viewpoints. After the recording, you’ll have 30 seconds to ponder and 60 seconds to reply.

Question #3 mirrors the format of #2, centering on an academic subject. You’ll read a passage and listen to a lecture on the same subject, followed by a question to gauge your comprehension. You’ll have 30 seconds to reflect and 60 seconds to answer.

Question #4 also follows the “integrated” format, resembling #3, but with only 20 seconds for preparation before a 60-second response.

Compared to the IELTS, the TOEFL speaking test is less conversational in nature. While you can take notes during the reading and listening phases, adjusting to the rhythm of thinking for 20-30 seconds and then speaking for 45-60 seconds requires practice. Familiarity with this pattern necessitates several mock speaking tests.

Succeeding in the TOEFL speaking test hinges on both practice and comprehension of the evaluation criteria. Engaging in video chat lessons with a professional TOEFL tutor is a worthwhile investment, providing valuable guidance to master this section’s exam techniques.

Writing

A quick comparison reveals that the IELTS writing segment spans 60 minutes, with an expected word count of approximately 400, while the TOEFL allocates 50 minutes for about 500 words. Notably, the TOEFL includes supplementary material in the form of texts and recordings to inform responses.

IELTS Writing

The IELTS writing section lasts for 60 minutes, differing based on whether you opt for the Academic or General Training variant.

For IELTS Academic:

Task #1 involves describing visual information using your own words, often in the form of graphs, tables, charts, or diagrams. A specific question or prompt guides your response, requiring about 150 words in roughly 20 minutes.

Task #2 necessitates crafting a formal essay in reaction to a question or prompt, targeting approximately 250 words over approximately 40 minutes.

For IELTS General Training:

Similarly, two tasks are assigned.

Task #1 entails writing a letter requesting information or explaining a topic, provided with three bullet points to include. The style can be personal, semi-formal, or formal, aiming for roughly 150 words within 20 minutes.

Task #2 requires a personal essay response to an opinion, argument, or problem, demanding around 250 words in about 40 minutes.

The IELTS writing component is an arena where an adept online tutor specializing in the field can significantly enhance your performance. While independent writing practice is valuable, a mentor’s guidance in error correction and improvement suggestions can accelerate your progress.

TOEFL – Writing

The TOEFL writing section spans 50 minutes.

Question #1, referred to as the integrated writing task, involves integrating various language skills. Initially, you’ll read a passage about a topic, followed by listening to a short lecture on a related subject. Then, you’ll receive a writing prompt and have 20 minutes to compose your response on the computer. The answer should fall between 150 and 225 words (although exceeding this range doesn’t incur penalties).

Question #2, the independent writing task, lacks additional listening or reading materials. You’re given 30 minutes to craft a roughly 300-word response, structured akin to a mini-essay with an introduction, main points, and conclusion.

The grading criteria for these two questions differ, underscoring the importance of comprehending the expectations in the TOEFL writing test. While you can grasp these criteria independently, seeking guidance from a TOEFL tutor can streamline your understanding. They possess the expertise to evaluate your practice essays and provide precise improvement suggestions.

Reading

The IELTS and TOEFL reading sections entail comparable question quantities within similar time frames.

IELTS – Reading

The IELTS reading segment lasts 60 minutes. You’ll receive a booklet containing three to four lengthy texts, accompanied by 40 questions. Your answers will be recorded on an answer sheet. This section’s nature alters based on the version chosen:

For IELTS Academic, the texts originate from non-specialist academic English sources such as journals, magazines, newspapers, and books. For IELTS General Training, the texts mirror those encountered in daily life, encompassing books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, company handbooks, and guidelines.

Regardless of the IELTS variant, the question format remains fairly consistent. It encompasses multiple-choice questions, sentence completion, and identifying suitable paragraph headings. The array of question types assesses your proficiency in diverse reading aspects, including close reading, skimming, argument comprehension, and opinion recognition. Notably, the questions are not intended to evaluate writing skills, typically requiring only one or two-word responses.

TOEFL – Reading

TOEFL – Listening

The listening segment of the TOEFL spans from 41 to 57 minutes, encompassing a range of 28 to 39 questions, depending on the specific test version. The audio materials consist of both concise lectures and brief conversations, always centered around topics associated with university life or academic subjects.

Type #1: Lectures. You will encounter approximately 3 to 4 lectures, each lasting 3 to 5 minutes. Your task will involve responding to 6 questions per lecture. Type #2: Conversations. The listening component also includes 2 to 3 conversations, each with a duration of 3 minutes. For each conversation, you will need to address 5 questions.

The objective and structure are designed to mirror the kinds of discussions that an English-speaking college student might encounter. You are free to take notes as you listen to aid in answering the questions. Further details regarding the types of questions can be explored here.

Similar to the IELTS, the speaker’s voice may originate from any English-dominant country, making it advantageous to engage in online lessons with tutors from diverse English-speaking backgrounds.

IELTS vs. TOEFL: which test should you take?

If you’re still uncertain about which test to opt for, take these inquiries into account:

1. Institutional Preference: First and foremost, find out which test your desired institution prefers. Check their official website or contact them via email if the information isn’t readily available. Some institutions might even accept alternative ways of demonstrating English proficiency, as outlined in resources like those provided here.
2. Type of Institution: If the institution itself doesn’t specify a preference, research the common choice within your field or industry. Generally, TOEFL scores are favored by US colleges.
3. Play to Your Strengths: Assess your own strengths. Consider factors such as the format of the speaking section—TOEFL’s recorded and online interaction versus IELTS’ real-life conversation. Similarly, compare the reading sections’ multiple-choice approach in TOEFL to IELTS’ short answer writing requirement. Additionally, note that the IELTS expects 400 words in an hour for the writing section, while TOEFL necessitates 500 words in 45 minutes.
4. Practicality: Think about logistics. The IELTS boasts a greater number of testing centers, making it a practical choice for many ESL speakers. Conversely, if you reside far from urban areas, TOEFL’s well-established online test might be more convenient.
5. Writing Preference: Your preference for writing—by hand or typing—also matters. Both tests offer computer-based options, but the IELTS provides the flexibility of pencil and paper as well. Keep in mind that the computer keyboards used in both tests will have English layouts.

If after considering these factors you remain undecided, lean towards the IELTS, especially if your aspirations extend beyond the United States. Recent trends show an increasing preference for the IELTS over the TOEFL. For comprehensive preparation tips on the IELTS, explore our top 10 recommendations.