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IELTS vs TOEFL! Both exams assess the English proficiency of the candidate. Those who are planning to move abroad take these tests to measure and showcase their English language skills for study or work purposes. Many people have a question about TOEFL vs IELTS, which is better? Both exams have their advantages, so students can take the test based on their preferences and personal requirements.
Many abroad universities accept both the IELTS and TOEFL exams. So, it is suggested to attempt the one, which is more convenient to the students by analysing the details of IELTS vs TOEFL. Both the tests have similar sections but they differ in many factors like exam pattern, design, acceptance, cost, etc, and more. By reading the complete article given below you can know the details and differences in these tests and find out, among IELTS vs TOEFL which is easy for you.
Detail | IELTS | TOEFL |
Conducting Body | British Council and IDP Education Ltd. | Educational Testing Services (ETS) |
Mode of Exam | Online and Offline | Online and Offline (Note: TOEFL Offline has been discontinued) |
Types of Tests | IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator | TOEFL iBT, TOEFL Essentials |
Duration | 2 hours 45 minutes | 1 hour 56 minutes (latest revised duration) |
Exam Pattern | Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking | Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking |
Score Range | 0-9 (Band) | 0-120 |
Breaks | No breaks during the listening, reading and writing sections, but the speaking portion can be taken up to a week before or after the rest of the test | A 10-minute break between listening and speaking sections |
Exam Frequency | 48 times/Year | 50+ times/Year |
Cost | INR 17,250 (IELTS Academic & General Traning) | INR 17,000 (TOEFL iBT) |
Candidates planning to migrate outside the country for educational or working opportunities must fulfil the English language proficiency of the place of destination. Both TOEFL and IELTS assess the English language proficiency of candidates, however, IELTS is considered to be more beneficial for multiple reasons. While both are widely accepted for academic and professional purposes, they have some key differences.
Format: IELTS is available in paper and computer formats, while TOEFL is solely computer-based. IELTS features a face-to-face speaking exam, whereas TOEFL's speaking section is recorded electronically.
Acceptance: IELTS has a greater rate of acceptance worldwide than TOEFL. IELTS is preferred in the UK, Australia, and other Commonwealth countries, while TOEFL dominates in the US and many other nations. Moreover, TOEFL is acknowledged by Canada and the UK as a valid English Language test for migration.
Design: IELTS is geared towards British, Australian, and Commonwealth nations, while TOEFL caters to North America.
Modules: IELTS offers separate Academic and General Training versions, while TOEFL has a single test for both academic and professional purposes. Both assess Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, but IELTS uses a band system (1-9) and TOEFL points (0-120).
Cost: IELTS is generally slightly cheaper than TOEFL. For Indian students, the IELTS exam fee is ₹ 17000. Whereas, TOEFL exam fee for Indian students is INR ₹16,900 for the year 2024.
Difficulty: Some find IELTS easier, particularly the reading section, while others struggle with TOEFL's vocabulary and sentence structure.
Both IELTS and TOEFL exams have four major test sections, namely, listening, reading, writing, and speaking to assess the English language proficiency of students. However, the level of difficulty and the format of the tests slightly differ from each other. Read the complete article to know the differences between TOEFL vs IELTS- test sections.
IELTS: There are four sections in the IELTS Listening section with 10 questions in each section. While the first two sections test daily life and social context, the other two parts are more academic. Sections 1 and 3 involve multiple speakers, while 2 and 4 are monologues.
TOEFL: In TOEFL listening, 5 parts of listening involve conversations and lectures in a language that is relevant to a university abroad. There will be 3 lectures with 6 questions each and 2 conversations by two speakers.
IELTS vs TOEFL – Listening Section
Exam Type | TOEFL | IELTS |
Total Questions | 28 | 4 parts |
Time Allocation | 36 minutes | 30 minutes |
IELTS: In IELTS reading, three passages are given from a range of topics totalling around 2,150-2,750 words. All the topics are usually given from books, magazines, newspapers, journals, or websites.
TOEFL: In TOEFL only two reading passages of 700 words each are given. A candidate need not be a subject matter expert to answer questions on the reading passages.
Both IELTS and TOEFL have two writing tasks that differ in format.
IELTS
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IELTS Writing Task 1: Candidates will asked to write a letter asking for information or outlining the circumstances. The letter may be personal, semi-formal, or formal in style.
IELTS Writing Task 2: In the IELTS Writing Task 2, the candidates will be asked to write an essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem.
TOEFL
TOEFL Task 1: Candidates have to listen to a short lecture, read a short passage, and write a response based on what has been read or listened to.
TOEFL Task 2: An essay writing supporting an opinion in an online classroom discussion.
TOEFL vs IELTS – Writing Section
Exam Type | TOEFL | IELTS |
Total Tasks | 2 | 2 |
Time Allocation | 29 minutes | 60 minutes |
The main difference between IELTS and TOEFL speaking sections is that IELTS speaking section is conducted in a face-to-face conversation or video call with an IELTS examiner. TOEFL speaking section requires candidates to answer on a microphone by listening to given questions. A combination of AI and humans does TOEFL speaking evaluation.
IELTS vs TOEFL – Speaking Section
Exam Type | TOEFL | IELTS |
Total Tasks | 4 | 3 parts |
Time Allocation | 16 minutes | 11 to 14 minutes |
Both IELTS and TOEFL exams have their pros and cons. However, one of the most common questions asked by the candidates is “Which is better between IELTS and TOEFL?”. Both IELTS and TOEFL are globally accepted major English language testing examinations. However, a slight difference between IELTS and TOEFL is observed in the following aspects:
IELTS is accepted in most English-speaking countries but TOEFL is mainly accepted in the US and Canada.
IELTS offers both paper-based and computer-based test options for candidates. TOEFL exam is mostly computer-based. Only one version is available.
IELTS has over 3,000 test centres in over 60 countries. Availability of the test centers is one of the major factors that makes IELTS a more preferred choice than that of TOEFL.
IELTS exam fee for Indian students differs as per the test type. For the year 2024, the IELTS exam fee ranges from INR ₹16,050- INR ₹17250. Candidates can pay their fees through Credit/ Debit (Visa or Master), net banking, demand draft, and bank deposit.
TOEFL exam fee for Indian students is INR ₹17000. Candidates also need to pay for late registration, rescheduling of the exam, and score review.
The level of difficulty of the exams is generally dependent on the personal strength and preparation of the students. Both IELTS and TOEFL are challenging exams that assess the knowledge of English of candidates who want to migrate to foreign countries for various purposes. Therefore, it is hard to determine which is easier between TOEFL and IELTS. Some of the determinants of the level of difficulty of IELTS and TOEFL are listed below:
IELTS has a variety of question formats (e.g., matching headings, true/false). Some test takers find it easier than TOEFL's multiple-choice format.
IELTS audio recordings feature British, Australian, and New Zealand accents, some test-takers find it more natural and easier to understand than the American accents used in TOEFL.
IELTS speaking section is generally conversational, therefore some test takers find it more comfortable compared to TOEFL's structured format.
One of the most important factors that should be considered while taking an IELTS or TOEFL test is the university to which the candidate would be applying. TOEFL organised by the ETS, is accepted by the TOEFL participating Institutions are mostly American universities and are also across 165 countries in the world. While IELTS conducted by the British Council is accepted in over 135 countries, including the colleges to study in the UK.
So, if the candidate plans in one of the Ivy League colleges to study in the USA, make sure to sit for TOEFL. In a comparison of TOEFL vs IELTS score, many institutes and organisations accept scores of both tests. The only difference in acceptance will be the comparative degrees of score and band so in case we want to determine which is more accepted between the TOEFL and IELTS it is very difficult to decide. The IELTS, and TOEFL exam benefits or advantages are listed below.
Test Features | Advantages of IELTS | Advantage of TOEFL |
Conducting Body | British Council, IDP Australia, and Cambridge ESOL | ETS |
English | IELTS uses British English | TOEFL uses American English |
Format | IELTS has two versions, namely, Academic and general depending on the purpose of the test-taker | TOEFL is conducted in only one version. |
Duration | 2 hours 45 minutes long | More than 4 hours |
Speaking test | It involves one-on-one interactions between a test-taker and an examiner | TOEFL has a computerized speaking test |
Scoring | IELTS Result format is a 9-band scoring system where 0 is for candidates who did attempt the test and 9 is for expert users. | TOEFL Result Format - Total score of 120 with a maximum of 30 points for each section. |
The IELTS Test is conducted in two formats - IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Candidates planning to pursue a higher degree are advised to take the IELTS academic test. IELTS general training is for those who are seeking work-related training in an English-speaking country.
TOEFL has only one format. Therefore, all candidates are required to take the same test irrespective of their purpose. The difference between IELTS and TOEFL exam formats is one of the determining factors for opting for one exam more frequently than the other.
Feature | IELTS | TOEFL |
Overall format | Paper-based or computer-based | Computer-based only |
Modules | Academic & General Training | Single test for academic & professional purposes |
Sections | Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking | Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing (integrated) |
Speaking | Face-to-face with an examiner | Recorded into a microphone |
Scoring | Band system (1-9) | Points score (0-120) |
Test duration | 2 hours and 45 minutes | 3 hours |
Both IELTS and TOEFL exams require some special study strategies and preparation tips to get a promising score. Although both exams have similar four sections, however, the format of the exam is different. Some of the preparation tips for both exams are included below.
IELTS Preparation Tips
Some of the important IELTS preparation tips and strategies for all four sections have been given below:
Listen to the questions asked carefully, and answer directly for the speaking part.
Add more relatable information to the answers, and ensure the answers remain relevant.
Distribute your according to each section.
Analysis of the assigned tasks and quickly prepare the answers mentally.
Avoid repetition.
TOEFL Preparation Tips
A few TOEFL preparation tips for the candidates appearing in TOEFL 2024 include:
Master vocabulary and grammar
Simulate real tests
Focus on your weaknesses
Practice speaking and listening
Although the difficulty level of every exam depends on the personal preparations of the students. However, IELTS is considered to be easier than the TOEFL. Especially, the reading section. IELTS is shorter and uses a band scoring system, whereas TOEFL uses a multiple-choice format.
Both IELTS and TOEFL exams are globally recognised. Therefore, which exam certificate is better, depends on the individual’s usefulness and personal goals. IELTS is preferred in the UK and Australia, while TOEFL dominates in the US.
The level of difficulty of TOEFL exam depends on the individual practice level and proficiency in the English language. However, Indian students find TOEFL a little more difficult than IELTS. TOEFL reading section is considered to be challenging for Indian students due to unfamiliar vocabulary and sentence structure.
The UK prefers IELTS over TOEFL. Although both exams are accepted by multiple educational and work institutions, however, IELTS aligns better with the British educational context and is the most widely used English test in the UK and Europe.
An IELTS 7-band score is approximately equivalent to a TOEFL score between 94 and 101. However, due to different test formats and scoring systems, the exact conversion is not possible.
The cost of TOEFL and IELTS differs from test locations. Both test cost are almost similar, so you can not differentiate the test based on the cost factor. IELTS costs approximately Rs 17,000 to 17,250 for Indian students and TOEFL costs Rs 17,000. However, the difference between IELTS and TOEFL costs is typically around ₹250.
Many USA universities accept IELTS and TOEFL for measuring English language proficiency. So, candidates can choose the best test for their abroad education based on their convenience in the test dates and centres or interest in specific exam format.
If you have completed a master's degree in the UK, you might still need to take the IELTS test to qualify for a Permanent Residency (PR) or Work Visa in Australia. While your degree from an English-speaking country like the UK may demonstrate your proficiency in English, Australian immigration authorities typically require a standardized English language test score, such as IELTS, to assess your language skills formally.
For better guidance, Invicta Institute can provide you with detailed information and assistance regarding the specific English language requirements for Australian PR or Work Visa applications. Invicta's experienced counselors can help you navigate the process and determine if your UK degree suffices or if you need to take the IELTS test.
Since you're currently in the first year of your Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com), planning ahead for your MBA abroad is a wise decision. The ideal time to take your IELTS exam is during your third year of B.Com. This timing ensures that your IELTS score, which is valid for two years, will still be valid when you apply for MBA programs. I recommend reaching out to a reputable abroad education advisor, as they can assist you throughout the entire process from start to finish. One such company is Invicta Career Consultancy, which offers specialized training, guidance, and support for studying abroad. You can visit their website at icclearning.com to learn more and make an informed decision. Best of luck!
Hello,
It is very highly unlikely to obtain a legitimate IELTS certificate without taking the exam. Any claims suggesting otherwise are likely scams. It is essential to take the exam through authorized testing centers to ensure the validity and credibility of the certificate.
Hope this helps you ,
Thank you
The IELTS General is generally considered easier than the IELTS Academic because the General test focuses on practical, everyday English skills, such as social and workplace communication, while the Academic test assesses a candidate's readiness for academic study with more complex reading and writing tasks. For better guidance, Invicta Institute can help you determine which test suits your goals and provide tailored coaching to maximize your performance on either version of the IELTS.
Hello aspirant,
Opinions on the E-GMAT course vary. Some find it beneficial for improving GMAT skills, especially in verbal sections, while others may prefer different resources. It's essential to explore reviews, consider your learning style, and maybe try a trial or sample to see if it aligns with your preferences before making a decision.
So it all depends on your personal opinion.
Thank you
Hope this information helps you.
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