HOW IS IELTS DIFFERENT FROM TOEFL
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are both English language proficiency tests that are widely accepted by universities and other institutions around the world. Exams to demonstrate your English language proficiency include the TOEFL and IELTS. Two of the most well-liked and frequently used tests for performing this are these two.
Both are very credible and respected by organizations looking to evaluate someone’s English. They both assess your ability to read, write, communicate, and listen.
However, there are some key differences between the two exams:
Test format: The IELTS exam consists of four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The TOEFL exam consists of four sections as well: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.
Test content: The IELTS exam is designed to test a wide range of language skills, including grammar, vocabulary, pronunciation, and fluency. The TOEFL exam focuses more on academic English and is intended to assess the language skills needed to succeed in an academic setting.
Testing format: The IELTS exam is offered in two formats: a paper-based test and a computer-delivered test. The TOEFL exam is offered exclusively as a computer-delivered test.
Test length:The IELTS exam is slightly shorter than the TOEFL exam, with a total testing time of around 2 hours 45 minutes. The TOEFL exam has a total testing time of around 4 hours.
Scoring system: The IELTS exam uses a 9-band scale to score test-takers, with scores ranging from 0 (non-user) to 9 (expert). The TOEFL exam uses a scale ranging from 0 to 120 points.
It’s important to consider which exam is more suitable for your needs and goals when deciding which one to take. Both exams are accepted by a wide range of universities and other institutions, so it’s important to check with the specific school or program you are applying to in order to determine their requirements.
TOEFL and IELTS total scores:
| TOEFL | IELTS |
|---|---|
| 118-120 | 9 |
| 115-117 | 8.5 |
| 110-114 | 8 |
| 102-109 | 7.5 |
| 94-101 | 7 |
| 79-93 | 6.5 |
| 60-78 | 6 |
| 46-59 | 5.5 |
| 35-45 | 5 |
| 32-34 | 4.5 |
| 0-31 | 0-4 |
| SECTION1 | TOEFL | IELTS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 3 to 5 reading selections of 20 minutes Reading materials are academic in nature Questions are multiple choice | Â reading selections of 20 minutes each. | |
| Listening | The listening selection is very different from IELTS You’ll have 40 to 60 minutes to listen to recorded lectures. Take notes and respond to multiple choice questions. | a greater range of question kinds and activities with varying durations As you progress through the test’s listening section, you will be asked questions. | |
| Writing | Writing a five-paragraph essay with 300–350 words is task one. Considering that the second task asks you to do so while listening to a lecture on the same subject and reading a passage from a textbook, taking notes is essential. The next stage is to use your notes from both the reading and listening options to create a 150–225 word response. | The first assignment is a 200–250 word essay. The second IELTS writing task requires you to analyse an infographic, such as a graph or chart, and to produce a summary of the material it includes. | |
| Speaking | You are asked to react to six different questions based on brief descriptions or discussions by recording automated responses that range in length from 45 to 60 seconds. The test’s 20-minute speaking portion lasts allotted time |
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Even though both exams are well-known and well respected, there are some variations in the techniques, structures, and contents of the two. As a result, you should carefully consider which one you’ll pick.
TOEFL:
The speaking portion involves listening to a speech recording on a computer; the writing portion involves typing in answers to questions;
four assessments including speaking, writing, listening, and reading;
3-hour duration; 120-point difficulty scale; average.
IELTS:
One test is given for all four components, lasting 2 hours and 245 minutes and ranging from 0 to 9 points. The speaking portion is conducted with an examiner.
extreme difficulty
Speaking
The speaking portion of the test differs significantly. The IELTS may be a better fit for you if you feel more at ease speaking English face-to-face rather than via a microphone. The oral portion is carried out in the same manner as a typical discussion. The test teacher will ask you a few broad questions about your hometown or even your pet while you are alone with them and being taped. The 20-minute TOEFL oral test is divided into six portions. The inquiries will cover both academic and private topics. Additionally, you will be given a brief text or chat and asked to summarize the contents.Before providing your response into the microphone for each segment, you will have some time to gather your thoughts.
Listening
You will listen to professionals on the TOEFL’s listening segment, take notes, and then respond to multiple-choice questions. However, you will have to respond to the questions in the IELTS while the audio is playing. Filling in the gaps, finishing sentences, and selecting true or false are among the IELTS test questions. The TOEFL utilises American accents, but the IELTS uses a variety. While the IELTS speaking test only lasts 30 minutes, the TOEFL speaking test lasts an hour.
Writing
The primary distinction between the two exams is that the TOEFL requires that the essay be typed on a computer, whereas the IELTS requires that it be written on paper. The best course of action is to be aware of your comfort level; if you are uncomfortable using a computer keyboard, you should consider taking the IELTS. However, you’ll feel more at ease taking the TOEFL if you have strong typing speed. You should also take into account the quality of your handwriting, since the examiner may subtract marks if they find it difficult to read.
Reading
Academic texts are given to you for both assessments, and then you are asked questions to see how well you comprehended the readings. The questions on the TOEFL, like all other sections of the exam, are multiple choice and are broken up into three to five parts. This portion of the IELTS comprises three segments with a variety of questions that may include brief responses or fill-in-the-blank questions. You will have 20 minutes to finish each component of both tests, and the timing is the same.