IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are two of the most widely accepted English language proficiency tests used for academic and immigration purposes. While they both assess a person’s ability to use and understand English in academic settings, there are several key differences between the two:
- Test Format:
- IELTS: IELTS has two versions: Academic and General Training. The Academic version is intended for those who want to pursue higher education or professional registration in an English-speaking environment. The General Training version is typically for those who are going to English-speaking countries for secondary education, work experience, or training programs. The test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, with a total test time of 2 hours and 45 minutes.
- TOEFL: TOEFL is more commonly used for academic purposes, especially in North America. It consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. The test is entirely computer-based and takes about 4 hours to complete.
- Accents and Varieties of English:
- IELTS: IELTS is developed by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. It is designed to assess a candidate’s ability to understand and use British English, American English, Australian English, and Canadian English.
- TOEFL: TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and primarily focuses on American English. While it may include some variations, it generally leans towards American English accents and vocabulary.
- Scoring:
- IELTS: The IELTS scoring system ranges from 0 to 9 bands, with each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) scored individually. The overall band score is the average of the four section scores.
- TOEFL: TOEFL scores are reported on a scale of 0 to 120, with each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) scored out of 30 points.
- Speaking Section:
- IELTS: In the IELTS Speaking section, candidates have a face-to-face interview with an examiner. It consists of three parts: Introduction and Interview, Long Turn, and Discussion. This section assesses the candidate’s ability to communicate verbally in English.
- TOEFL: The TOEFL Speaking section is conducted entirely via computer. Test-takers respond to recorded prompts, and their responses are recorded and scored by human raters. There are six tasks in total, including independent and integrated speaking tasks.
- Reading and Listening Sections:
- Both tests assess reading and listening comprehension skills. However, the content and format of the passages and questions may vary slightly between the two tests.
Ultimately, the choice between IELTS and TOEFL depends on the requirements of the institution or organization you are applying to and your personal preferences regarding test format and content.