Difference between IELTS and TOEFL

If you did not grow up in an English speaking country and attend school there, then you will face an English proficiency test. There are numerous variations of these tests; however, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Test System (IELTS) are the two major players. If you are planning to study abroad in an English-speaking country for your Bachelor’s degree or Master’s degree, you will most likely have to submit either an IELTS or TOEFL score. If you are looking to prepare for your IELTS and TOEFL Exams or IELTS Coaching in Kolkata or TOEFL Coaching in Kolkata, Aiuto is the best place to make you prepare for your IELTS and TOEFL exams to get your desired scores.

What is IELTS?

IELTS is an abbreviation for International English Language Testing System. The test is available in two formats: ‘IELTS Academic’, for those planning to study at a higher education level abroad; and ‘IELTS General Training’, which focuses on social skills and workplace contexts.

There are four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both tests. Time duration for test is 2 hours 45 minutes including the transfer time in your answer sheet. The Listening, Reading and Writing sections of both versions of the IELTS test are completed on the same day. On the other hand, the Speaking section can be taken up to a week before or after the other tests. This section consists of a face-to-face interview with an examiner. The interview is recorded. This section lasts 11- 14 minutes. The total test time is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The IELTS is accepted in thousands of institutions in over 140 countries.

What is TOEFL?

TOEFL is an acronym for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is an English proficiency test, developed by an American company, ETS, to measure an individual’s reading, speaking, writing, and listening proficiency in American English. Hence, students seeking admission to US schools tend to take it. It uses American spellings and vocabulary; TOEFL scores are a requirement for over 900 universities and other institutions in more than 130 countries.

There are four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. The overall test takes four hours to complete. You perform tasks that combine your English communication skills. You will read, listen and then speak in response to a question. The reading and listening sections come first. Then there is a short break of ten minutes. Next, the speaking and writing sections follow.

For the UK, only the IELTS UKVI, which is also used to support your UK Visa and Immigration application, is accepted. But for Canada and the US, either the TOEFL or IELTS will do. Both tests consist of four sections that assess the most important aspects of language: speaking, listening, writing and reading. The TOEFL, however, is entirely multiple-choice, while the IELTS has a mix of short answers and essay questions.

The difference can be understood by the table below on certain parameters.