How Difficult is The TOEFL Exam? Should You Take TOEFL or IELTS?

 

Institutions wishing to use TOEFL or IELTS work with their results to establish the appropriate scores according to their specific needs. Overall Score Comparison Chart Based on research reports linking TOEFL iBT scores to IELTS scores, ETS has developed this comparison chart to help you make informed admission decisions. The figure shows a comparison of the TOEFL total scores and the IELTS group total scores. Below are the comparison charts for each of the 4 sections of the TOEFL iBT test and comparison with the academic IELTS module.





The IELTS score ranges from 1 to 9, and the total score is based on a four-part written test. The two main English proficiency tests accepted by universities around the world are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Unlike IELTS, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) assesses your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills in a comprehensive manner.


The IELTS speaking test has 3 parts and takes about 15 minutes. The IELTS speaking test is conducted face-to-face with the examiner, which may make some people feel uneasy. For written assignments, TOEFL will force you to use the keyboard, while IELTS is handwritten. In the TOEFL speaking test, you need to read a short passage, then listen to the audio related to the text, and finally give a speech and explain the difference between the two.




TOEFL questions almost entirely include multiple answer choices, while the IELTS test contains many types of questions, including short answer questions, essays and fill-in-the-blank assignments. You need to fill in the missing words. We usually compare TOEFL with academic IELTS because they both test your academic English level first to ensure that you are in an advantageous position in an English academic environment. However, although the TOEFL only tests academic subjects, the academic IELTS options will include academic reading and writing parts as well as general listening and speaking parts. If you speak more British English, consider taking the IELTS test, but if you speak more American English, consider taking the TOEFL test.


The writing part of the TOEFL exam requires you to type an essay, and if you cannot type or cannot type, then take the IELTS exam, as it will all be handwritten.





Because the TOEFL exam is a computerized exam, these students often feel very uncomfortable and have difficulty taking the test. They are also very nervous and anxious at the thought of taking this computerized exam. They are not used to technology, nor are they very familiar with computers and laptops.





The TOEFL and IELTS exams are completely different, which is why some people find that they are naturally better suited for one than the other. Academic IELTS and TOEFL are more difficult compared to the general IELTS test, but they are usually the only options if you want to study at any level above high school. IELTS and TOEFL tests are widely used in Canada, and if the schools of interest accept both, you can choose. If a visa is not required for study, the TOEFL test will suffice for your application, provided your scores meet the admission requirements, which are usually a fixed level for the university, even though some exceptions may apply.


Both IELTS and TOEFL are designed to test your level of English proficiency when applying to foreign universities. All UK universities accept IELTS scores as proof of proficiency in English, however the level required depends on each institution and its programs. While all universities in the UK, Europe, Asia and welfare countries such as Australia and New Zealand accept IELTS scores, 99% of four-year universities and institutes in the United States with over 1,000 international students welcome IELTS.





Therefore, to help you choose between IELTS and TOEFL and find out which is easier, here are some important things to consider when choosing. But before discussing their similarities and differences, please remember that both IELTS and TOEFL are standardized tests. All these parameters and information mentioned above can help you decide which entrance exam to choose between IELTS and TOEFL.


So, if you are more comfortable with taking a paper exam, you can choose IELTS. With IELTS, you can choose academic or non-academic work. If you are unsure of your reading skills, you may prefer the IELTS exam.





Therefore, if the listening part is a test area that you find more challenging, then IELTS may seem less daunting to you. When it comes to IELTS and TOEFL listening tests, the main differences here are the test length, context, question type and accent. The listening comprehension of the two tests is basically the same, but IELTS always has 4 audios and is usually longer than TOEFL.





Those who have already taken one or both of these tests know that IELTS is more focused on British or Australian English, while TOEFL is more focused on American English. An important differentiating factor in TOEFL versus IELTS will be the ability to try to take a speaking test before other IELTS tests, while TOEFL does not. The TOEFL oral score will be recorded through the microphone and sent to examiners, while the IELTS oral exam will be a face-to-face test for all applicants.





IELTS must be completed in 2 hours 45 minutes, on the other hand, TOEFL takes 4 hours to complete. IELTS is a shorter, possibly more intense test, with more questions and problems, including talking directly to the examiner. TOEFL usually takes about 4 hours, while IELTS is usually shorter - about 2 hours 45 minutes. The TOEFL exam lasts four and a half hours, and the IELTS exam lasts two hours and forty five minutes.


Therefore, the TOEFL test is conducted in one day, and due to the IELTS format, this part is conducted separately from the rest of the test, sometimes before or after a different day. Although the reading, writing, and listening sections will take place on the same day, your conversation will take place 7 days before and after the test date. You can take the session test on the same day as the other sections, or you can take the test one week before or one week later.





The listening test consists of 40 questions divided into 4 different tasks to be completed in 30 minutes. However, unlike IELTS, applicants receive a 10 minute break after the first two TOEFL sections. For each TOEFL section, applicants receive scores ranging from 0 to 30, then the scores for all four sections are added.


Hopefully this explains the difference between TOEFL and IELTS. Which test will you be taking? 


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