In this introductory section, we will discuss how assessments of English language ability, such as the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), are widely accepted by educational institutions and businesses throughout the globe. Although both the IELTS and the TOEFL are intended to measure the English skills of non-native speakers, they vary significantly.
This article will help you choose between the IELTS and the TOEFL by contrasting their structure, material, and scores as well as their relative levels of difficulty.
One of the most notable distinctions between the TOEFL and IELTS is the examinations’ respective formats. Both an Academic and a General Training version of IELTS are available. The General Training style is designed for those who want to work, live, or relocate to an English-speaking nation, while the Academic format is geared for those who want to pursue further education.
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is an English proficiency test for those who want to enroll in a school where instruction is conducted in English.
The two tests also vary greatly in terms of their respective contents (IELTS and TOEFL). The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is an examination of many facets of one’s command of the English language. There are four parts to the exam: 30 minutes each for listening, reading, writing, and speaking (11–14 minutes).
In contrast, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is focused on academic English and is meant to assess a student’s proficiency in the language as it is used in higher education. The exam is divided into four parts: reading (60–100 minutes), listening (60–90 minutes), oral communication (20 minutes), and written communication (40 minutes) (50 minutes).
Another key distinction between the two exams is in how they are scored. The IELTS uses a 9-band scoring system, with possible values ranging from 0 to 9. A person’s linguistic competence is measured on a 9-band scale, with 9 indicating the greatest competence and 0 the lowest.
But TOEFL scores range from 0 to 120 on a 120-point scale. In each of the four categories, you’ll get a score between 0 and 30. The total grade is a sum of the division grades plus the overall grade.
Both the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are rigorous exams; nevertheless, test takers will experience varying degrees of difficulty based on their existing knowledge of English and the TOEFL’s structure.
The speaking portion of the IELTS exam, which lasts 11-14 minutes and consists of a face-to-face interview with a trained IELTS examiner, is often regarded as one of the test’s most difficult components.
Reading and writing on the TOEFL are rated as more difficult because of the test’s emphasis on academic English and the need for test-takers to show proficiency in that context.
In conclusion, both the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are generally acknowledged as measures of English language competency, although they vary significantly. Individuals should weigh factors like their anticipated usage of English and their future academic or professional objectives while deciding between the IELTS and the TOEFL.
