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International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are the two most important standardised tests to measure the ability of non-native speakers of English to use or understand the language. IELTS and TOEFL are both extensive and ongoing efforts of modern dialects and are designed to assess the level of English proficiency in non-native speakers. Both tests evaluate reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills separately.
IELTS Vs TOEFL is the two most common and widely accepted tests for university admission abroad. It is mandatory to provide scores on an English language proficiency test. While these tests have the same goal, they differ in crucial ways. So, unless you are sure which one to take, read our guide to learn the differences between IELTS VS TOEFL and pick the best option to fulfil your study abroad dreams.
Let's quickly review the two tests before going into the head-on collision between them.
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an exam that assesses a candidate's ability to communicate in English. The test assesses a person's English language abilities in four areas: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.
The British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English jointly administered the exam created in 1989. There are two types of exams: paper-based and computer-based.
OTHER RELATED ARTICLES FOR IELTS EXAM
IELTS Reading | IELTS Writing | IELTS Speaking | IELTS Listening |
IELTS Cue Cards | IELTS Writing task 1 | IELTS Writing task 2 | Band Calculator |
The TOEFL (Test of English as an Overseas Language) is a standardised test accepted by most foreign colleges where English is the language of instruction. The exam is planned and designed to measure a student's mastery of the English language successfully.
Education Testing Service (ETS), a private non-profit organisation based in the United States, administers the exam. There are two test modes: Paper-Delivered Test (PDT) and Internet-Based test (IBT).
Popular Articles for TOEFL Exam
Are you wondering why you should take the IELTS instead of the TOEFL or vice versa? If so, check out this helpful guide on IELTS vs TOEFL!
Exam Details |
IELTS |
TOEFL |
Conducting Body |
British Council and IDP Education Ltd. |
Educational Testing Services |
Exam Mode |
Online and Offline |
Online and Offline |
Variants |
IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training IELTS Indicator |
TOEFL iBT |
Exam Duration |
2 hours 45 minutes |
4 hours |
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 |
Sections |
Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking* |
Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking |
Test Delivery Format |
Paper-based |
Computer-based |
Score Range |
0-9 |
0-120 |
Average Minimum Score Required by Top Universities |
6.3 |
78 |
Exam Frequency |
48 times in a year |
More than 50 times a year |
Results Timeline |
Results are issued 13 days after the test |
Results are issued approximately 10 days after the test |
Where All are the Scores Accepted |
Accepted by more than 9,000 organizations globally |
Accepted by more than 10,000 organizations globally |
Cost |
INR 14,700/- |
INR 13,780/ (TOEFL iBT) |
IELTS has 48 exam dates per year, whereas TOEFL has more than 50 test dates per year. The following table clearly illustrates the distinction:
Sections |
IELTS |
TOEFL |
Reading |
3 long passages |
3-4 passages of approx. 700 words |
Total number of questions: 40 |
Number of Questions: 30-40 (9-10 from each passage) |
|
Time: 60 minutes |
Time: 54-72 Minutes |
|
Listening |
4 recordings |
3-4 lectures, length 3-5 minutes each, 6 questions from each lecture |
- |
2-3 conversations (2 speakers) 3 minutes each. 5 questions from each conversation |
|
Total number of questions: 40 |
Total number of Questions: 39 |
|
Time: 30 minutes + 10 minutes to transfer the answers to the sheet |
Time: 41-57 Minutes |
|
Speaking |
3 parts (questions of each part get more difficult and intense) |
1 Independent Speaking Task (speak for 1 minute) |
- |
3 Integrated Speaking Tasks (speak for 1.5-2 minutes after reading a passage/ article/ listening to a lecture) |
|
Time: 11-14 minutes |
Time: 17 Minutes |
|
Writing |
IELTS Writing task 1 – write 150 words based on a visual description in 20 minutes |
TOEFL Integrated Writing Task (150-225 words) – write an essay after reading a passage and listening to a lecture in 20 minutes |
IELTS Writing task 2 – write 250 words by responding to an argument or a problem or a viewpoint in 40 minutes |
TOEFL Independent Writing Task (300-350 words) – write an essay based on a prompt in 30 minutes |
|
Time: 60 minutes |
Time: 50 Minutes |
The main difference is in the format of the questions: the TOEFL uses multiple-choice questions, whereas the IELTS uses a variety of formats such as fill in the blanks, short answers, and so on. In addition, one significant difference is the length of the exams. The IELTS exam must be finished in 2 hours and 45 minutes, while the TOEFL exam will take 4 hours.
Sections |
Duration |
Number of Tasks/Activities |
Listening |
30 minutes |
4 |
Reading |
60 minutes |
3 |
Writing |
60 minutes |
2 |
Speaking |
11-15 minutes |
3 |
Total |
2 hours 45 minutes |
- |
QUICK READ: IELTS Test Pattern
Sections |
Scoring |
Number of Questions |
Duration |
Reading |
0-30 |
36-56 |
60-80 minutes |
Listening |
0-30 |
34-51 |
60-90 minutes |
Speaking |
0-30 |
34-51 |
20 minutes |
Writing |
0-30 |
2 tasks |
50 minutes |
Total |
0-120 |
- |
4 hours |
QUICK READ: TOEFL Test Pattern
A student must pass four areas of both exams: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. There are, however, differences in how the exam is done.
The TOEFL listening section determines how well a student can listen to lectures and conversations in the classroom. Students will be required to answer questions based on 3 - 4 lectures and 2 - 3 dialogues. Each lecture is followed by six questions, while approximately five questions follow each dialogue.
The IELTS listening section assesses a student's ability to follow a conversation and listen for important and specific information. Four recorded speeches or discussions will be distributed to students in four portions. The first two monologues/conversations are on social demands, while the final two are about education. Questions are based on the audio, which can only be listened to once.
Listening Section |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
Total Questions |
40 |
40 |
Time |
41–57 minutes |
30 minutes |
The TOEFL reading section assesses a student's ability to read and comprehend university-level instructional material. You will be expected to read three to four passages. You will be required to complete a series of around 10 questions based on each of these passages.
A student is usually given three passages to read in the IELTS reading section. Students are asked to respond to several types of questions based on the passages. The section's major goal is to evaluate the student's ability to comprehend and identify the author's key ideas and locate specific facts.
Reading Section |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
Total Questions |
40 |
40 |
Time |
54-72 minutes |
60 minutes |
The TOEFL speaking component is intended to assess a student's ability to communicate in English. An examiner scores the results of four tasks presented to the student. A pupil is asked to speak on a familiar topic in one work. Before speaking on the topic, students must read, listen, or do both in the other three integrated Speaking Tasks.
The primary goal of the IELTS speaking part is to evaluate a candidate's ability to articulate their ideas and opinions in English. A face-to-face interview with the appointed examiner is required of the student.
Speaking Section |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
Total Parts |
4 |
3 |
Time |
17 minutes |
10-15 minutes |
The TOEFL writing section is intended to assess a student's ability to present and communicate their ideas. Students will be given two tasks: an integrated task that requires them to read for three minutes, listen for two minutes, and then write for fifteen minutes, and an autonomous essay writing job.
The IELTS writing section evaluates your ability to write a well-structured, coherent, and rational essay on the given topic. Students were required to submit two essays, one brief and the other longer.
Writing Section |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
Total Questions |
2 |
2 |
Time |
50 minutes |
60 minutes |
Both the TOEFL and IELTS exams have different scoring systems. While IELTS uses a 0-9 band system, TOEFL scores vary from 0-120. With the help of the list given below about the TOEFL to IELTS score conversion table published by ETS, you may roughly predict how well you might fare on the other exam if you have taken practise tests for one.
TOEFL Score |
IELTS Band |
0-4 |
0-31 |
4.5 |
32-34 |
5 |
35-45 |
5.5 |
46-59 |
6 |
60-78 |
6.5 |
79-93 |
7 |
94-101 |
7.5 |
102-109 |
8 |
110-114 |
8.5 |
115-117 |
9 |
118-120 |
IELTS, TOEFL, or both are accepted by over 9000 universities worldwide. IELTS is more generally accepted by universities in the United Kingdom and Australia. USA universities widely accept the TOEFL.
Although both examinations have outstanding reputations and are highly regarded, their methodologies, structure, and substance differ. As a result, you need carefully consider the path you will pursue.
To begin with, both the TOEFL and the IELTS test all aspects of the language.
The TOEFL exam costs between $200 and CAD 325, whereas the IELTS exam costs $260 and CAD 390. If you're on a tight budget, this could be a problem. Finally, the best exam for you is a matter of personal preference. Hundreds of institutions worldwide have accepted each exam, and test dates are available throughout the year. Check the requirements of your university preference. Then choose which path to follow.
Moreover, when we compare IELTS and TOEFL, we can see that they differ in many ways while both exams have the same goal. If you're considering taking one of these examinations, make sure you know the differences before deciding. If you are still unsure about choosing the exam for your study abroad career, contact AECC experts. We will help the Indian students to clear the English proficiency exams to study abroad destinations like Australia, Canada, UK, USA and much more. Register now with us for more detailed pieces of information.
IELTS: Our recommendations. Remember that the General IELTS Test is easier (compared to both IELTS Academic and TOEFL) since the General IELTS Reading and General IELTS Writing portions are simpler.
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