IELTS vs TOEFL – Which is Better?

IELTS vs TOEFL: English proficiency exam results are a crucial component of applications to universities in English-speaking nations. These tests are required of all non-native English speakers to finish their applications. IELTS and TOEFL are the two most often used tests. They evaluate candidates’ reading, writing, speaking, and listening abilities, but in different ways.

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What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a prestigious language competency exam that individuals who wish to pursue an education abroad or for professional reasons must take. It is recognized in 140 nations. IELTS comes in two flavors: Academic and General Training (for working professionals and immigration needs) (for education purposes).

What is TOEFL?

On the other hand, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a well-known language competence test that is frequently chosen by students hoping to study abroad. The exam strongly emphasizes evaluating candidates’ communication skills in English used in a classroom; as a result, it is recognized in about 130 countries.

1. IELTS vs TOEFL Format:

IELTS asks you to respond to questions in various ways, including short responses, fill-in-the-blanks, and more, whereas TOEFL only has multiple-choice questions. Along with this, the length of each exam is a notable difference. IELTS must be finished in 2 hours and 45 minutes; however, the TOEFL will take 4 hours to complete.

IELTS is offered in two versions, General Training, and Academic, and candidates can select their version test according to their intended use for the test. The single exam type offered by TOEFL is the one most students studying abroad choose to take. IELTS requires candidates to demonstrate their critical thinking and comprehension capabilities; in contrast, the TOEFL will assess your analytical thinking and capacity to weigh your options. As a result, this becomes one of the key differences between TOEFL and IELTS.

2. IELTS vs. TOEFL Writing Section:

Two writing questions must be answered while taking the IELTS exam. You’ll need to explain the data presented in the first one in the form of a diagram, table chart, etc. The second requires you to write 200–250 words about an argument or point of view. If you decide to take the TOEFL exam, you must write a five-paragraph essay between 300 and 350 words. For the second question, you will need to gather some notes from the provided text and compose a 150–225 word response.

3. IELTS vs. TOEFL Speaking Section:

While the IELTS speaking test will be face-to-face for all candidates, the TOEFL speaking assessment will be recorded using a microphone and submitted to the examiners. The TOEFL test would last 20 minutes. IELTS test durations could be as long as 10-15 minutes. The ability to undertake a speaking test before the other tests are one of the key differences between TOEFL and IELTS, although there is no such option in TOEFL.

4. TOEFL vs. IELTS Reading Section:

Both tests’ reading portions will consist of texts similar to what they may encounter during their programs. To be answered in 20 minutes, there will be 3-5 reading questions on the TOEFL. This segment of the IELTS test will have three questions, and applicants will be required to respond in various styles, such as short responses, gap fillings, etc.

5. TOEFL vs. IELTS Listening Section:

The listening portion of both tests is significantly dissimilar from one another. Students can respond to the questions in the IELTS exam while listening to the recording. There will be a variety of long and short questions. Contrarily, the TOEFL test will be based on lectures given in a classroom, which applicants must pay attention to while listening to the audio. For the TOEFL hearing section, students have 40 to 60 minutes to complete MCQs.

6. IELTS vs. TOEFL Score Comparison:

Your vocabulary range, writing style, and grammar are all considered when scoring your speaking and writing on the TOEFL. Logic, coherence, grammar, and fluency are only a few precise criteria that make up the IELTS evaluation. For instance, a TOEFL essay with a logical flow of ideas but poor grammar may score higher, but IELTS requirements favor essays with better grammar and vocabulary but less effective concept communication.

The IELTS is scored on a scale of 1 to 9, and your overall score is calculated as the average of the points you receive on each of the four examinations. Your final grade will be rounded to 6.5 if your overall average is 6.25. There is only one test, the TOEFL, and the maximum score is 120. Following are some general comparisons between TOEFL and IELTS total scores.

7. CEFR Score Equivalents:

For many European students, the CEFR scale—which measures language proficiency in letters and numbers—will be more familiar. Generally, undergraduate students who intend to study abroad must have achieved CEFR B2 proficiency or above in the institution’s teaching language. Although you can rarely substitute a CEFR level for a required IELTS or TOEFL score, a CEFR level of B2 is equivalent to an IELTS score of 5.5–6.5.

Major Factors to Consider:

Before choosing between the IETLS and TOEFL, you should take into account the following factors:

University preference: Before applying to any university, you should find out which language tests are accepted and favored by those institutions.

IELTS preparation often takes 3–6 weeks, while TOEFL preparation typically takes 2–3 months. IELTS will be appropriate if there are not too many months till your application date.

IELTS can be taken on paper or a computer; TOEFL can only be taken on a computer. Computer-based or written. If you can type quickly, you can choose either, and if you can write well on paper, you can choose TOEFL.

Exam format: For the IELTS exam, you can divide up the components of the papers and administer them over many weeks. You must take the TOEFL exam in one session. I think you get all points related to which is easier, TOEFL or IELTS, TOEFL vs. IELTS score, and which is easy, IELTS or TOEFL, etc., from the above article.