If you look forward to studying or working abroad, then TOEFL or IELTS will be the definitive English proficiency test. The difference between TOEFL vs IELTS is well explained in this blog. Both TOEFL and IELTS are accepted globally. All non-native English speakers take either of these exams to apply to universities abroad. Each university has set a minimum score for the English proficiency exams to be eligible for admission. Read ahead to get a complete overview of TOEFL vs IELTS.
Table of Contents
- What is the difference between TOEFL and IELTS?
- TOEFL vs IELTS Comparison (TOEFL versus IELTS)
- Who Accepts TOEFL Scores?
- Who Accepts IELTS Scores?
- TOEFL vs IELTS Score Comparison
- TOEFL or IELTS for Indian Students
- TOEFL vs IELTS for USA
- TOEFL Reading vs IELTS Reading
- TOEFL Listening vs IELTS Listening
- TOEFL Speaking vs IELTS Speaking
What is the difference between TOEFL and IELTS?
|
Details |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
|
Mode of exam |
Online and Offline |
Online and Offline |
|
Variants |
TOEFL iBT |
IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training |
|
Length |
3 Hours 15 Minutes |
2 Hours 45 Minutes |
|
Breaks |
A 10-minute break is available between the listening and speaking parts. |
No Breaks are there between reading, listening and writing parts. |
|
Pattern |
Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing |
Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing |
|
Test Delivery Method |
Computer Based |
Paper Based |
|
Score Range |
0-120 |
0-9 |
|
Minimum Score Required for University Admission |
90 |
6.3 |
|
Exam Frequency |
48 times yearly |
Over 50 times in a year |
|
Score Card Delivery Time |
4-8 days |
11-13 days |
|
Accepted By |
Over 11,500 organisations globally |
Over 11,000 organisations globally |
Read More:
TOEFL vs IELTS Comparison (TOEFL versus IELTS)
The below table is the TOEFL versus IELTS Comparision:
|
Exam |
Reading |
Listening |
Break |
Speaking |
Writing |
|
TOEFL |
54-72 minutes |
41-57 minutes |
10 minutes |
17 minutes |
50 minutes |
|
Questions |
36-56 questions |
34-51 questions |
6 tasks |
2 tasks |
|
|
IELTS |
60 minutes |
30 minutes approx. and 10 minutes transfer time |
No breaks |
11-14 minutes |
60 minutes |
|
Questions |
40 questions |
40 questions |
3 speaking parts |
2 questions |
Who Accepts TOEFL Scores?
Over 11,500 organisations globally accept TOEFL scores. TOEFL is a widely accepted English language test to evaluate a candidate’s English proficiency. You may use TOEFL Destination Search to know which institutions accept TOEFL scores. The most popular countries which accept TOEFL are the USA, UK, Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Who Accepts IELTS Scores?
More than 11,000 organisations globally accept IELTS scores. IELTS is a highly acclaimed and accepted English language test to find a candidate’s English proficiency. You can use “Find an organisation” to know which institutions take IELTS scores. IELTS is most prevalent in the UK and Australia. As well as some American universities accept it.
Read More:
TOEFL Exam vs IELTS Exam
The table below shows the TOEFL Exam Pattern vs IELTS exam pattern:
|
Section |
TOEFL |
IELTS |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
TOEFL vs IELTS Score Comparison
The below table is the TOEFL vs IELTS score comparison:
|
TOEFL |
IELTS |
|
118-120 |
9 |
|
115-117 |
8.5 |
|
110-114 |
8 |
|
102-109 |
7.5 |
|
94-101 |
7 |
|
79-93 |
6.5 |
|
60-78 |
6 |
|
46-59 |
5.5 |
|
35-45 |
5 |
|
32-34 |
4.5 |
|
0-31 |
0-4 |
Read More:
TOEFL Exam Pattern and Syllabus
TOEFL Exam Fee and TOEFL Exam Date (India)
TOEFL Exam Fee and TOEFL Exam Date (Nepal)
TOEFL Exam Fee and TOEFL Exam Date (Philippines)
TOEFL or IELTS for Indian Students
|
TOEFL for Indian Students |
IELTS for Indian Students |
|
It takes approximately 4 hours to complete the test. |
IELTS takes a comparatively shorter time. It takes about 2 hours and 45 minutes to complete the IELTS test. |
|
You can take up TOEFL Exam if you prefer answering multiple-choice questions. |
IELTS has many question types, such as filling the gaps, multiple choice and matching exercises. |
|
You need to type your essays in the written section of the test. |
You have to write your essays on paper for IELTS. |
|
In TOEFL, you will not be interacting with the examiner. |
In IELTS, you will interact with the examiner directly. |
TOEFL vs IELTS for USA
TOEFL is more widely accepted in the USA compared to IELTS. The minimum IELTS score for college admission in the USA is a 6 band score. Only a few institutions in the USA accept IELTS scores. When looking for admission in the USA, TOEFL scores are recommended so you can apply to a wide range of institutions.
TOEFL Reading vs IELTS Reading
The content for the reading test for both exams is usually taken from academic textbooks. TOEFL has 3-5 reading questions that you must complete in 20 minutes. In comparison, the IELTS exam has 3 questions in this section. You need to answer different question types, such as short answers, gap-filling questions and multiple-choice questions.
TOEFL Listening vs IELTS Listening
The listening sections of both these proficiency exams are very different from each other. Candidates should be responding to the questions while listening to the audio, and there will be various short and long-form questions in IELTS. In comparison, the TOEFL exam is entirely based on classroom lectures, and applicants should take quick notes while listening to the recording. Moreover, candidates should solve multiple choice questions in a given timeframe of 40-60 minutes in the TOEFL listening section.
TOEFL Speaking vs IELTS Speaking
Speaking tests in TOEFL will be recorded using a microphone and forwarded to the examiners. At the same time, the IELTS speaking test will be a face-to-face exam for all the applicants. For TOEFL, the duration is 20 minutes, and the IELTS Speaking lasts for a maximum of 10-15 minutes. The differentiating factor of TOEFL vs IELTS is that in IELTS, there is an option to attempt the speaking test before other tests. However, there is no such option in TOEFL.
TOEFL Writing vs IELTS Writing
When you appear for the IELTS exam, you must solve 2 writing questions. In the first part, you must describe the information given in the form of a table, chart, diagram, etc. While in the second part, you need to write 200-250 words based on the given viewpoint or argument. In comparison, you need to draft a 5 paragraph-long essay of 300-350 words in TOEFL. For the second part, you need to take some quick notes from the given text and write a response in around 150-225 words.
Frequently Asked Questions
TOEFL is accepted more than IELTS around the world. Both are equally reputed and highly acclaimed English proficiency tests. However, the acceptance rate varies from country to country. In the USA, universities mostly prefer TOEFL.
