IELTS vs TOEFL differences
The question of IELTS vs TOEFL has always been popular among students who wish to study abroad. One thing is certain: you will need one of these for your school application. Let’s explore the differences.
IELTS vs TOEFL: What's the Difference?
TOEFL and IELTS are tests that universities around the world accept. They check how good you are at English. Let’s see how they’re different:
TOEFL
- It focuses on US or UK English.
- It has more multiple-choice questions.
- The test takes around four hours.
- You answer some questions on a computer.
- The speaking part is with a real person.
- It’s preferred by US universities.
IELTS
- It’s more flexible with the English you use.
- There are different sections, like listening, reading, writing, and speaking.
- The test takes a bit less time.
- You talk with a person for the speaking part.
- It’s common in the UK, Canada, and Europe.
Scoring: How Well You Did
In TOEFL, you get scores in each section, like reading and speaking. In IELTS, you get a band score from 0 to 9. Here’s what they mean:
- 9: Really good
- 7: Good
- 5: OK
- 3: Not so good
- 0: Didn’t try the test
Test Details
TOEFL:
- There’s reading and listening from a computer.
- Speaking has six tasks and takes 20 minutes.
- Writing has two tasks in around 50 minutes.
- You need to register early.
IELTS:
- Listening, reading, and writing are on the same day.
- Speaking can be on the same day or close to it.
- In writing, you need to write about a graph and an essay.
- Speaking is around 15 minutes with a person.
How Scores Compare
Here’s a rough idea of how TOEFL and IELTS scores match:
- If you get 9 in IELTS, it’s like a very high TOEFL score.
- A 7 in IELTS is similar to a good TOEFL score.
- A 5 in IELTS is like doing OK in TOEFL.
Remember, different universities might ask for different scores. It’s like showing how good you are in English so you can study abroad.