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/