TOEFL and IELTS: Discover the Differences between these English Tests and choose the right one for you!

There are 2 very important English language tests: TOEFL and IELTS. If you are interested in the TOEFL tests or you are probably an international student hoping to achieve your academic or professional goals in an English-speaking country such as the United Kingdom.

While pursuing your goals in a place where you don’t speak the language is not easy, the English tests are not meant to make your life more difficult, but are designed to give you and your employers confidence in your ability to succeed, no matter where you are.

Academic and professional institutions across the country use two standardized tests to assess English proficiency: the IELTS test, which stands for International English Language Testing System, or the TOEFL test, which stands for Test of English as a Foreign Language. So now you have to decide which test to take: TOEFL or IELTS? We are here to help you sort it all out.

What is the difference between TOEFL and IELTS?

To summarize our overview, here is the gist of the differences between IELTS and TOEFL:

If you are applying for a high-performing graduate school position or U.S. workplace, they are more likely to want to see the TOEFL score. On the other hand, anyone who intends to use general, everyday English around the world will benefit most from the IELTS test, although IELTS can also be taken for admission to schools.

Although they are slightly different in terms of who accepts them, the exams are generally quite similar, so much so that they even have the same four sections. However, these exams use two completely different scoring systems and section order, and one of them even has several versions.

One thing that makes IELTS unique is its two separate versions, the IELTS General test and the IELTS Academic test. These different versions have a similar structure and include the same sections, but the content within those sections varies.

The TOEFL has the same four sections as the IELTS, although they have a slightly different order: Reading, Listening, Speaking and, finally, Writing. There is only one version of the TOEFL test in terms of content, and it is similar in difficulty to the IELTS Academic test. There are several versions of the TOEFL test, but by far the most common is the TOEFL iBT, which many U.S. schools use as the primary way to assess students’ English skills.

Which is better TOEFL or IELTS?

IELTS and TOEFL are the most popular standardized English tests worldwide. And choosing between them will vary depending on your intentions. It is important to consider whether we want to apply for a visa or for university.

• University admissions: before deciding which course you are going to take to obtain your degree in English as a foreign language, you should check which degrees they accept, as some universities only accept one or the other. If you are not sure, you can look up the admissions department on the university’s website and email them to find out. The information should also be listed on the website under course requirements, so if you have an idea about the course you would like to take.
• Visa application: If you need a Student visa to study in the UK, it is recommended that you take the IELTS or Pearson test, as the TOEFL is no longer recognized by the UK Home Office as a secure English language test. In case you do not need a visa for your studies, a TOEFL test will be sufficient for your application, as long as your scores meet the entry requirements, which are usually at fixed levels for the University, although some exceptions may apply.

Is IELTS or TOEFL easier?

Both the IELTS and TOEFL are tests of basic English language skills. Most test takers find the IELTS easier than the TOEFL. Many students believe that the reading section of the IELTS is easier than the TOEFL.

But this should not be an important factor when choosing one or the other. You will have to choose the most appropriate one for you.

You choose IELTS if:

• you feel comfortable being interviewed
• prefer multiple-choice test types (true/false; fill in the blanks, etc.)
• you understand several English dialects
• you like to talk about non-academic topics.

Choose the TOEFL if:

• you are comfortable working with computers
• you feel confident speaking into a microphone
• you are good at answering multiple-choice questions
• you prefer standard American English
• you enjoy reading topics intended to inform
• you manage to take notes on the audio recordings.

IELTS or TOEFL – Recapitulation

Whatever decision you are going to make, take into account all the factors mentioned in this article, the purposes and time you have to dedicate to each of them. Don’t forget that the IELTS is a 2 hour and 45 minute test that can be taken either on a computer or on paper, and is a more “international” test than the TOEFL. The IELTS is supervised by the British Council and has listening tests using various types of accents. With this exam, you will gain a more international approach to the English language, making it a great option for those who want to use English somewhere other than the United States. IELTS is also available in general and academic versions, so those who want to pursue higher education can benefit from a test specifically geared to the use of “academic” English.

Another thing to note is that the best IELTS preparation courses are usually less expensive than the best TOEFL courses out there today, but there are also not as many quality options for your IELTS preparation.