The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are two of
the most widely-accepted tests to certify your English proficiency. The
decision to take the TOEFL vs. IELTS will ultimately depend on a number of
factors. Read on to decide which test is best for you.
TOEFL
IELTS
About 4 hours long
2 hours and 45 minutes long
Available at over 500 locations in the US, over
4,500 worldwide
Available at 59 locations in the US, about 900
worldwide
Cost is usually between 160 and 200 USD
Cost varies widely even within the same country;
usually is about 200 USD
Score on a sliding scale from 0 to 120
Score at any of 9 “bands,” or levels of proficiency
TOEFL vs. IELTS at a glance
Availability
and Cost
from http://magoosh.com/toefl/2013/toefl-vs-ielts/
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign
Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are two of
the most widely-accepted tests to certify your English proficiency. The
decision to take the TOEFL vs. IELTS will ultimately depend on a number of
factors. Read on to decide which test is best for you.
|
TOEFL
|
IELTS
|
|
About 4 hours long
|
2 hours and 45 minutes long
|
|
Available at over 500 locations in the US, over
4,500 worldwide
|
Available at 59 locations in the US, about 900
worldwide
|
|
Cost is usually between 160 and 200 USD
|
Cost varies widely even within the same country;
usually is about 200 USD
|
|
Score on a sliding scale from 0 to 120
|
Score at any of 9 “bands,” or levels of proficiency
|
TOEFL vs. IELTS at a glance
The TOEFL
offers only academic English; the IELTS offers an academic option as well as a
general test; this is generally the preferred test for immigration purposes to
the UK and Canada. The IELTS academic test and the TOEFL compared to the IELTS
general test are both more difficult, but they are usually the only options if
you want to study at any level higher than secondary school. No matter which
test you take, be aware that the scores all expire 2 years after your test
date. (And if you’re curious, you can see how the scores on the two exams compare
here).
When you
compare the format of the IELTS with the TOEFL format, you will notice a couple of things. First
of all, both of them have four basic sections, each of which tests a basic
skill (reading, listening, speaking, writing). But while the TOEFL only tests
academic subjects, the IELTS academic option will have academic reading and
writing sections combined with general listening and speaking sections.
Overall, the IELTS has more of a real-world feel than the TOEFL. Deciding how hard the TOEFL is versus
the IELTS truly depends on your English background.
The IELTS also doesn’t have a listening
component on the integrated assignments, although on one of the two assignments
you will have to incorporate a graphic or other written information source into
your argument. The second essay on both tests is an independent question that
simply asks your opinion about some issue.
The TOEFL speaking section is done by
recorder and mostly involves explaining your opinions and
summarizing/interpreting information from other sources. On the IELTS, your
speaking test will take place in person and will include a short speech (you’ll
have a small period in which to prepare it) and a conversation component.
Although it would be great if every
English program gave equal time to each major dialect of English, the vast
majority of students spend 90% of their time with only one dialect. If you’re
most experienced with American English, you may find some parts of the IELTS
unfamiliar; if you’ve learned British English or another dialect, the TOEFL
will feel a little strange. It’s important to note that neither test will
penalize you for using one or the other dialect, as long as your answers are
fluent, clear, and, of course, correct.
What Is Difference Between the TOEFL Test & the IELTS Test?
Availability
and Cost
The TOEFL is an internet-based test
that you can take on a number of available dates each month. You can take the
test as often as you like. The IELTS is a paper-based test with a speaking
component, offered at specific institutions 48 times per year, usually on
Saturdays and Thursdays. You can also take the IELTS as often as you like.
There is no significant cost difference between the two tests.
Test Formats
The most widely-accepted version of
the TOEFL is now the iBT, or Internet Based Test, which has four sections:
Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. The IELTS is paper-based, consisting
of the same four sections. One of the main differences between the TOEFL and
IELTS tests lies in the speaking task. In the TOEFL, the test-taker speaks into
a microphone, but during the IELTS, the test-taker speaks face-to-face with an
examiner.
Test Scores
The perfect score for the TOEFL iBT
is 120, with 30 points per each of the four sections. The perfect score for the
IELTS a 9. According to the National Association for College Admission
Counseling, each college or university decides whether a TOEFL score is needed
for admission and the minimum score required. The same is true for the IELTS.
Your application packet should include this information.
Which
Colleges Accept the Scores?
According to ETS, the TOEFL is now accepted by more than 8,000 universities
and institutions all over the world. Currently, you can expect a smaller number
of institutions that accept the IELTS test for admissions purposes, but this
number is rapidly rising. Check with the college or university you're applying
to in order to confirm which tests you'll need to take in order to gain
admission.
from http://magoosh.com/toefl/2013/toefl-vs-ielts/
