Learn the difference between IELTS and TOEFL, their details, and which one is best for you

If you are planning to study abroad in a Western country for a bachelor's or master's degree
You will likely need to take either IELTS or TOEFL. Although both standardized tests determine your level of English by assessing your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, the tests differ in format and scoring. Here we explore the differences between the two and offer tips on how to practice and take the right test for you. The specialist language teachers at School.com can advise you on which test you should take based on your chosen university.

My certificate IELTS or TOEFL is an essential part of your university application papers, as it proves whether or not you will be able to understand the course material.

IELTS and TOEFL are two of the most widely accepted English language proficiency tests in the world. However, each of these tests differs in its structure, approach, and teaching standards. This means that you need to understand how the two differ before you choose which test to study for and ultimately take.

What is IELTS ?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. The test is available in two formats: IELTS Academic for those planning to study at higher education level abroad; and IELTS General Training , which focuses on social skills and workplace contexts. In this article, we will focus on IELTS Academic .

The IELTS test (British English) is made up of four parts: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking. It takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete, including time to move from one section to the next. The test is accepted by thousands of institutions in over 140 countries, but each institution has its own requirements for IELTS scores . Once students have taken the test, they can then nominate up to five institutions to send copies of their IELTS results for free.

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What is TOEFL ?

TOEFL stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language . It is an English language proficiency test developed by an American company, ETS, to measure an individual’s reading, speaking, writing, and listening proficiency in American English . TOEFL scores are required by over 900 universities and other institutions in over 130 countries. There are two ways to take this test; it can be taken as a paper-based test ( TOEFL PBT) or an internet-based test (TOEFL IBT); however, TOEFL IBT is more popular. You can register and take the TOEFL IBT at designated centers in almost all countries and it takes four hours to complete. This test is accepted in Australia and the United Kingdom, and American institutions are likely to prefer this test over IELTS .

Speaking​

There is a big difference between the speaking part of the tests . If you feel more comfortable speaking in English to someone face to face rather than to a microphone, the IELTS test may be more suitable for you. The speaking section of the IELTS test takes 11 to 14 minutes and is conducted as if it were a normal conversation. You will be alone with the test instructor, and they will tape-record you asking you some general questions about your home, family and studies. You will then be shown a card with a specific topic and you will have about two minutes to prepare, after which the examiner will have a discussion with you about the topic.

The TOEFL Speaking test consists of six sections and takes 20 minutes. Two of the six sections will ask you to give your opinion on everyday topics – this is the Independent Speaking test. The other four sections will focus on Integrated Speaking. This means you will need to listen to or read something and then construct a response to the recording or passage. For each section, you will be given some time to prepare before giving your answer into the microphone.

Quick tip: Practice speaking and expressing your opinions clearly and freely.

Listening​

For the IELTS Listening section, you will have to answer 10 questions as the audio plays. The questions in the test cover everyday topics such as dealing with situations in education and training. The question format includes fill in the blanks, sentence completion and true or false answers.

The TOEFL Speaking test takes an hour, while the IELTS Speaking section is only 30 minutes. In the TOEFL Listening section , you will listen to four to six recordings and then answer questions based on what you heard. These questions will show your ability to understand the content being shared, and your ability to understand the speaker’s emotions and motivations. You will hear two types of recordings: conversation recordings and lecture recordings.

Quick tip: When preparing for the IELTS exam, take the time to listen to the different accents to avoid confusion – after all, this is an international English test. And in both tests, don’t forget to take notes as you listen!

Writing​

The writing section of both tests consists of two parts that require you to write a short essay. In IELTS , you will be given a graph or chart in Part 1 and then have 20 minutes to write a short essay of 150 words based on that information. In Part 2 of IELTS, you will be given an argument or point of view and will be asked to write a response of 200 to 250 words in 40 minutes.

In the TOEFL , Part 1 requires you to read a short text on a given topic and then listen to a two-minute lecture on that topic. After that, you will have to write 300 to 350 words in response to a question on that topic. Part 2 requires you to write another short essay.

Quick tip: Listen to podcasts, read articles, and then summarize what you heard or read.

Reading​

Both tests provide you with texts that are academic in nature and are followed by questions that test your understanding of the text. In IELTS , this section consists of 40 questions in three parts, with different styles of questions that include short answer and fill in the blanks covering different aspects, for example, reading for details and main topics, logical arguments and recognising the writer’s opinions and intentions.

On the TOEFL, as with every other section of the test, the questions are multiple-choice and are divided into three to five parts, or passages. You will need to read the passages before answering 12 to 14 questions. These questions may ask you to define a word (vocabulary test), identify an idea (comprehension test), or find a false statement (receptive test). The timing is similar for both tests, as you will have 20 minutes to complete each section.

Quick tip: Read pieces of literature and ask yourself questions about it.

Test scores

IELTS has separate scores for each section from 1 to 9, and a final overall score for all sections. So, if you do not perform well in one section, your score will lower your average score. The test score helps you easily determine your level of English proficiency; a beginner score is 1 and an expert score is 9.

The TOEFL scoring system is automated and scores are weighted differently by one point per question, with a final score out of 120. You will receive a score from 0 to 30 for each section. Along with your test results , you will also receive a Performance Feedback Report. This report provides you with the range of scores for regular test takers, giving you a better indication of your test performance than the average. Keep in mind that with both tests, you will have to wait at least 10 days to receive your scores and your printed score reports will be mailed to you 13 days after your test date.

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