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If you are applying to university in an English speaking country and English is not your first language, your institution may require you to take a standardised test. There are two main English language tests accepted by universities around the world, IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). But the big question that faces students is; which one is better?
The similarities
Both are English language tests aimed at pre-university students planning to make the step to higher education. Both evaluate how well you can combine your listening, reading, writing and speaking skills. You have to pay a fee to take both tests, for both it can vary depending on where exactly you take the test but expect to pay between $150 to $250.
The differences
Although both tests ostensibly focus on the same thing, they do so in different ways, which is why so many students want to know which is better (and even more commonly, which is easier). One of the main differences is the speaking part of the test. For IELTS you are required to take this with an IELTS examiner face to face. For TOEFL the speaking test consists of six questions which you answer into a microphone. These are recorded and sent to an examiner to mark.
The scoring system is also different, with IELTS rating between 0 and 9, with halfway points in between. TOEFL gives a more numerical SAT-type grade, totalling your scores from all the areas. This gives an insight into another key difference. TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service, a non-profit US based organisation, and conducts its test according to US English. IELTS is administered jointly by the British Council, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and IDP Education Australia, and conducts its test in UK English. While the differences are not as great as some assume, accents and spelling variations can cause a problem for some students.
So which is better?
The answer really depends on you; what kind of learner you are and where you want to study. The question of which is easier is largely irrelevant as both tests will grade you accurately according to your level of English. TOEFL may tend to favour more abstract learners as many of the questions are multiple choice whereas IELTS may be more suited to concrete learners as it involves memory recall. The face to face speaking section of the IELTS may be daunting to some candidates who would be more comfortable speaking into a microphone
Finally, it may be necessary to check that your chosen institution accepts the test. Although both are accepted at more than 6,000 institutions and organisations worldwide, so there is a fairly good chance you will be able to use either, it is always necessary to check beforehand.
Have you taken either or perhaps both of these tests? Let us know your impressions, what you thought was good and bad about each test and most importantly which you would recommend. Your experiences can help fellow learners.
I guess they are both okay and real good to used.
A+ would read again
people choose easy one to take. That’s why IELTS is now very popular.
I want to take IELTS test but I do not have any money to cover all my recuirements such as Passport,Test IELTS,Letter of medichal checkup.
I am from Indonesia
My name is Rahman
Thanyou I hope you can reply as soon as possible because I want to countinue my study and get a job in overseas.I am really a poor person, help me please!
From my experience:
Reading section = TOEFL is easier than IELTS
Listening section = TOEFL is harder than IELTS
Speaking section = TOEFL is harder than IELTS
Writing section = TOEFL is easier than IELTS
Good luck!
my teacher said if I would study in England, I should take IELTS,but if I would study in USA i should take TOEFL. is my teacher right? and pleas, would you recommend what to choose.
thanx
Dear Kapulito,
Thank you for your comment. That isn’t necessarily correct; the language tests accepted will vary from institution to institution – you should contact the institutions you are interested in to ask about their English language requirements and what tests they will accept as proof of your ability. We can’t recommend one over the other, as which one is best will depend on your individual circumstances. If you would like more information about studying in the USA or the UK, see our USA magazines (click here), and our UK magazine (click here). You could also fill out an enquiry form at i-studentenquiry - our free matching service that can help match you with institutions according to your preferences.
Hopefully this information will help, best of luck with your research
Best wishes from the i-studentgroup team
hello everyone,
i see a lot of opinions right here and really i’m not quiet sure what is the best to study?
the problem isn’t the course type or name but the real problem is the difference between the two courses and how their vocabulary spilling various ,,,
any way good luck with any of them ,,, lol,,lol
IELTS is better than toefl
application requirement to study English as a second Language
hi, which IELTS should I do the General or the Academic module for undergraduate studies at UK universities.
“IELTS is administered jointly by the British Council, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and IDP Education Australia, and conducts its test in UK English.”
This is actually not true. The IELTS listening section features dialog from English speakers all around the world; British, North American, Australian etc. Moreover, the examiners are from numerous English speaking countries as well. This is in my opinion one advantage the IELTS has over the TOEFL.
I will prefer IELTS as no sectionwise cut off scors are mentioned as they have given for TOEGFL by universities.
will there be any problem regarding VISA if take IELTS exam for entering US
does American Embassy accept IELTS even if i get i20 with IELTS
I think a student having better toefl score is much more qualified than having better IELTS scores.Many more students who make better score in IELTS fail to make 80 in toefl ibt. IELTS is actually a much easier test than toefl ibt.
Hello everybody. I took both IELTS and TOEFL(IELTS: listening-7.5, writing-7.0, speaking-7.5 nad reading:7.0. In total:7.0 I havent recieved TOEFL score yet) so here are my impressions( i would like to describe each section of one test and compare it to respective one in another and give my honest opinion):
Let me start with listening:
As you know in IELTS it consisitsof 4 sections and 10 questions inn each. You have time to read questions before you listen. This structure is quite simple, and you can spend less energy on each question. However, in TOEFL, you are given slightly more questions but more situations. So i thought in this section TOEFL was more difficult.
Speaking. Speaking to microphone(conversation with computer) in TOEFL, for me was more complicated for several reasons:
1. Microphone itself was not of good qualiti and i had to halfy close it with hands.
2. Some other students were talking when i was trying to do the same.
In IELST test you are given separete room with examiner(HUMAN). They are trained to make you feel as if you are talking to one of your friends.
By now :IELTS :2 TOEFL: 0
Reading: Here i’d prefer TOEFL to IELTS also for some reasons:
1. Reading passages are not so long
2. Question types.
Writing:
Absolute winner, in my opinion, is TOEFL IBT. let me explain why:
First of all you type essays instead of writing it by hand. As a result you can easily correct it or reorgonize without changing the visiual impression.
secondly, you are given plenty of time(so if you can type quickly it is big plus)
Conclusion: Everything i have written is only my opinion of both tests and i hope that my ” review will be helpful for some of you in future.
[...] took because both could be useful for your studies. However, came across this site that discusses TOEFL vs. IELTS. Depending on what type of learner you are and depending on you like to be tested – this might [...]
i have taken IELTS 2 years before, my score not so good, 5.5 (6.5-listening, 5.5 reading, 4.5-writing, 5.5-speaking). i plan to have another test this year, but i’m not either IELTS or TOEFL.
it seems for IELTS i have very much weaknesses in
Reading- the passage was too long, i cant concerntrate and nervous, plus worried for not having much time. again i spend to much time to understand the long passage, and i missed to answer correctly the last part of reading which is much easier.
Writing-my hand writing was too bad. truly messy. also not having much time. i’m prefer writing using computer.
Speaking-the person who carry out my test her face to irritate. especially when i express something wrong her face suddenly change. its really pyscho me.
Speaking-this is ok for me..more relax. may be my score due to spelling error. i also saw a lot of english movie. may be i can improve this part.
so, according to my overall experience, i really dont know which is more suitable fro me.
please anybody advice accordingly.
Hi Supertramp,
As the article mentions, it depends on how you best learn. If you are good at memorising things and repeating them, IELTS will be better, and TOEFL is better for people who are more abstract learners.
Either way, you should do everything you can to improve your English before taking the test – read English websites and watch TV and movies that are in English. Find someone to practice with, and write each other letters in English and have conversations with English speakers.
Good luck!
HELLO!!!
Ok, guys, I have taken toefl and ielts both. In toefl my score was 85, ibt. Ielts was 8.5 Now, why ielts over toefl:
- Reading is definitely easier in toefl, BUT you are flooded with questions. Sometimes, you will get 6 passages instead of 4. And I was the lucky one to get 6 passages but all my friends got 4. Ielts is little bit harder than toefl but just 40 questions and just 3 passage. But remember in ielts you have got variety of questions but don’t worry you can do it, if you practice.
-Listening definitely IELTS, omg ielts listening is VERY easy. You can look question before hearing the recording. SO ielts for listening.
-Writing is also IELTS it’s EASIER than toefl. Like, trust me guys, toefl INTEGRATED writing sucks! you have to listen read and then write your points. In ielts it;s so EASY!!! nothing like that very SIMPLE!!
-Speaking 100 percent IELTS , I personally found so weird to speak to microphone. There are many reasons i mean like how can they score us just hearing our voice? what about gestures and expression. Toefl speaking is NOT good at all.
Conclusion is: IELTS actually test you your real english ability, it will sharpen you so much. You will find tremendous improve in yourself after giving IELTS, toefl is like nothing , you are giving exam in an idiot box, lol.
GOOD LUCK and go for IELTS!!!
hey. i have taken toefl and now i want prepare ielts. In order to i compeared and i sow that ielts is easier than Toel.
1. ielts reading is easy i do not mean the question i mean the text is easy.
2. ielts listening is lower than toefl listening. but there is a bad thing. in ielts exam you will not be given headphone
3. ielts speaking is easy. In order to it is difficult to speak to microphone and you will get anxious. However in ielts speaking you will speak with teacher. In addition in toefl your time will be limited but in ielts you can speak 1 or 2 minutes.
4. writing the essay bot of them is same. In fact both of them you will write essay as we know about one topic. here the ielts is easy in order to ielts test takrer wants 250 words but toefl test taker wants 300 words.
the second part of the writing toefl is easy for me. in fact i used to do it. but some people say that ielts writing is easy.
at last if a person wants to to take toefl the exam will be 4 hours and in this time the person will be getting tired. however ielts is not like this. the speaking section will be another day and others will be another day. soo take ielts i have taken toefl and i am regret. i did not get good score. i failed because of god damn 4 hours. i lost my consentration and i had headache. LEYLA FROM AZERBAIJAN>
Hey all. This is a great topic thread, so let me add my 2 cents from several years experience teaching for both of these tests (and currently working in China as a materials designer for both tests.)
IELTS is easier. In the Listening, you get to see the questions befaore AND while the recording plays. TOEFL you hear and can take notes, but you don’t see the questions til after. In the Reading, passage difficulty is comparable, only different question types. In the Speaking, IELTS is easier since you can interact with your tester, who is the only one keeping the time. TOEFL Speaking has 4 integrated skill questions which can be really tough, and when the timer hits 60s anything else you have to say is disregarded. Writing is also relatively on par.
Our company also does a lot of placement for Chinese students, and 90% of American Universities take IELTS, 90% of British universities take TOEFL. Canada takes either, or the CAEL, which is easier than either above.
For my money, IELTS is easier.
I think both tests two a good job of testing your English skills. The tests are similar and you should be adequately prepared to pass both if you really prepare and study hard.