Following the discussion over IELTS and TOEFL, we now understand their history and development into the present globally accepted form of language skills assessment test. We reckon some of you must’ve made up your mind by now on which test you’re most likely to take. There must also be few of you who are still divided between the two.
So, how about, we settle this age long debate for once and for all: Which one out of the two is better? Shall you prefer IELTS or TOEFL?
WHAT IS THIS DEBATE ABOUT?
Let us begin by quickly letting you summarize your learning about these tests so far. If you are aspiring for higher education overseas or looking for a job (or both) in an English speaking country then you are required to prove your English language proficiency for the same.
Although both IELTS and TOEFL have been designed to evaluate your various language communication skills, there lies a significantly subtle difference in their testing methodology and structure thus making them unique from each other.
This uniqueness forms the basis of a seemingly never ending debate between the two that we are going to give a closer look at.
Although both IELTS and TOEFL have been designed to evaluate your various language communication skills, there lies a significantly subtle difference in their testing methodology and structure thus making them unique from each other.
This uniqueness forms the basis of a seemingly never ending debate between the two that we are going to give a closer look at.
DIFFERENCES IN TEST STRUCTURE:
Here comes the most important aspect of the tests that becomes the food for the thought for critics.
| IELTS | TOEFL |
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Thus, IELTS is a more realistic assessment examination compared to TOEFL making it more useful for immigration and visa purposes.
SPEAKING SECTION
One of the major four skills that are tested for your language proficiency; ability to speak fluently in the native language of the country you are going to study abroad is quite imperative.
| IELTS | TOEFL |
| Face to face assessment. A short speech to deliver in the speaking section. | The testing process involves a microphone speaker. No real person present in the test. |
It’s safe to say that, being presented with a real time scenario in IELTS, the students can reflect their confidence more in IELTS than in TOEFL.
LISTENING SECTION
Time again plays its part here.
| IELTS | TOEFL |
| It is part academic and part social, taking only 30 minutes to test. | 60 minutes long test with strict academic approach. |
You really need to work on your concentration and focus while appearing for TOEFL listening section.
READING SECTION
It is essential to understand the basic difference between two tests that lie in this section in terms of format and context.
| IELTS | TOEFL |
| Variety of questions from academic to general or social approach. | More of a multiple choice questions(MCQs) based format |
Owing to the longer duration of TOEFL test and the MCQs, it does require a lot of mental acuity and focus.
WRITING SECTION
We do get a lot of mixed reactions for this one because some of you might have got beautiful handwriting while others struggle to make it more readable..
| IELTS | TOEFL |
| A hand written examination in this section. | Mainly computer based requiring a fairly good typing speed. |
Depending on which test you decide to take, you might want to practice your skill accordingly i.e., your handwriting or the typing speed.
USAGE OF ACCENTS
This is a particularly looked-at factor while debating on the preference between the two tests. IELTS offers a variety of English accents ranging from British, Australian, New Zealander and American while TOEFL is limited to just North American accentuation. We prefer to settle the score here by saying that IELTS eliminates the linguistic biasing more than TOEFL.
TEST DURATION
You are required to sit for about 4 hours while appearing for TOEFL iBT examination while it just takes 2 hours and 45 minutes for IELTS. Time speaks for itself. Doesn’t it?
SCORING SYSTEM
Considerable difference is seen in how each of these tests evaluates you in their report cards. IELTS is based on a system of 0-9 bands defining the level of proficiency; for example a band score of 9 in IELTS denotes ‘an expert user’, band score of 7 means ‘a good user’ and so on. While the TOEFL gives you a score in the range of 0-120 points; for example if you score between 101- 109 then you are ‘a good user’, a score in the range of 117-120 denotes ‘an expert user’ and so on.
Of course we can map both band points and scoring scale of IELTS and TOEFL respectively for a better comparison. For instance,
| IELTS BAND | TOEFL SCORE | SCORE DESCRIPTION |
| 9 | 118-120 | EXPERT USER |
| 7.5 | 102-109 | GOOD USER |
| 8 | 110-114 | VERY GOOD USER |
ACCEPTABILITY OF TESTS
Now this is what you must be digging for so long, to know which countries of the world accept TOEFL and IELTS readily for various purposes like immigration, higher education etc.
IELTS is accepted in USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and European countries while, TOEFL is a preference mostly by the universities of the USA.
IELTS is accepted in USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and European countries while, TOEFL is a preference mostly by the universities of the USA.
THE JURY SPEAKS…
From the comprehensive analysis we just went through, on the subtle differences between these two tests, it is evident that the question is no more about which one out of the two tests is better. We understand that no matter there are very crucial arguments that sometimes stand in the favor of IELTS and some time for TOEFL.
The nail on the coffin remains the acceptability of the tests in the university and the corresponding country you wish to pursue your higher studies in.
