Introduction:
International English Language Testing System, or IELTS, is a highly regarded language competency exam that applicants take for employment or for the purpose of pursuing education abroad. It is recognized in 140 nations.
There are two versions of the IELTS exam: IELTS Academic (for educational purposes) and IELTS General Training (for working professionals and immigration purposes).With IELTS, candidates can take a more customized speaking exam in which they converse with an examiner.
TOEFL,or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a standardized test designed to measure the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. It is commonly used for admission to English-speaking universities and colleges, as well as for visa and immigration purposes.The TOEFL test is recognized and accepted by thousands of universities, colleges, and institutions in over 150 countries around the world.Speaking portion of the TOEFL, which is later recorded and evaluated.
Comparison between IELTS or TOEFL:
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) are both standardized tests designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. However, there are some differences between the two:
1.Test Format:
IELTS has two versions: Academic and General Training. The Academic version is typically taken by those who want to study at a university or college abroad, while the General Training version is often used for immigration or work purposes. The test consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
TOEFL is primarily offered as an internet-based test (iBT) and consists of four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
2.Accent and Vocabulary:
IELTS is more commonly associated with British English, so you may encounter British accents in the Listening and Speaking sections. However, it accepts both British and American spellings.
TOEFL tends to be more oriented towards American English, although it also accepts variations in spelling and pronunciation.
3.Speaking Section:
In IELTS, the Speaking section is conducted face-to-face with an examiner. It usually lasts around 11-14 minutes and consists of a structured interview with questions on familiar topics.
In TOEFL, the Speaking section is recorded and responses are spoken into a microphone. It involves tasks such as expressing an opinion, summarizing a lecture, or discussing a campus situation.
4.Band Scoring:
IELTS provides a Band Score ranging from 0 to 9 for each section, with the overall band score being the average of the four section scores.The result is published within 3-13 days
TOEFL provides scaled scores ranging from 0 to 30 for each of the four sections, with a total score of 0 to 120.The result is published within 4-13 days
5.Test Delivery:
IELTS is paper-based for the Writing and Reading sections, while the Listening and Speaking sections may be either paper-based or computer-based, depending on the test center.Besides,
The method of TOEFL is Paper-based, computer-based and online
6.Test Availability:
IELTS is more widely accepted in countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada.
TOEFL is more commonly accepted in the United States and some European countries.IELTS is accepted by over 11,000 and TOEFL is also granted by over 12,000 universities and institutions worldwide.
7.Test time and section overview:
IELTS:
The total test time for the IELTS Academic version is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The breakdown of sections is as follows:
Section Questions/Tasks Estimated Timing
Listening 40 questions Approximately 30 minutes (plus 10
Minutes’ transfer time)
Reading 40 questions 60 minutes
Writing 2 tasks 60 minutes
Speaking 3 parts 11–14 minutes
TOEFL:
Just under 2 hours are needed to finish the test in its entirety, but you should allow 2.5 hours total, 30 thirty minutes for check-in.Use the table below to view of TOEFL iBT test section:
Section Questions/Tasks Estimated Timing
Reading 20 questions 35 minutes
Listening 28 questions 36 minutes
Speaking 4 tasks 16 minutes
Writing 2 tasks 29 minutes
8.Test Cost:
For IELTS:
The cost of taking the IELTS test can range from approximately $215 to $310 USD.
Costs may vary based on factors such as location, test version (Academic or General Training), and whether the test is paper-based or computer-delivered.
TOEFL:
The cost of taking the TOEFL iBT (internet-based test) is typically between $160 and $300 USD.
The fee may include additional services such as sending score reports to institutions or rescheduling the test, which could incur extra charges.
9.Test Question types
IELTS:
Listening Section:
i) Multiple choice questions
ii) Form completion (filling in blanks on a form)
iii) Note completion (filling in gaps in notes)
iv) Sentence completion
v) Matching tasks (matching information to speakers or contexts)
Reading Section:
i) Multiple choice questions
ii) True/false/not given or yes/no/not given questions
iii) Matching headings to paragraphs
iv) Sentence completion
v) Matching information (matching statements to paragraphs)
Writing Section:
i) Task 1 (for Academic): Describing visual information (e.g., graphs, charts, diagrams)
ii) Task 2: Essay writing (presenting an argument or providing a solution to a problem)
Speaking Section:
i) Part 1: Introduction and general questions (e.g., about hobbies, family, work)
ii) Part 2: Speaking on a given topic for 1-2 minutes
iii) Part 3: Discussion on the topic from Part 2
TOEFL iBT:
Reading Section:
i) Multiple choice questions (single answer and multiple answers)
ii) Inserting a sentence into a passage
iii) Reading to learn tasks (such as identifying a writer’s purpose or attitude)
Listening Section:
i) Multiple choice questions (single answer and multiple answers)
ii) Summarizing information
iii) Connecting information (such as matching speakers to their opinions)
Speaking Section:
i) Independent tasks (expressing an opinion or preference)
ii) Integrated tasks (integrating information from reading and listening into a spoken response)
Writing Section:
i) Integrated tasks (summarizing a reading passage and a lecture, and then writing a response)
ii) Independent task (writing an essay expressing a personal preference or opinion)