IELTS and TOEFL: A Comparison of Top English Tests

Your English skills have reached an impressive level! The only thing standing between you and a world of exciting educational, career, and lifestyle opportunities for English speakers is a certification—specifically, an IELTS or TOEFL score. But how do you decide which test to take?

If you’re planning to apply to a university in the U.S., the TOEFL is likely your best bet. Tailored specifically for academic English, it is accepted by 90% of U.S. colleges. On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more versatile option, consider the IELTS. This test includes both general and academic modules, making it ideal not only for university admissions but also for visa applications and employment opportunities.

Let’s dive deeper! More and more universities, employers, and even citizenship authorities are recognizing both the IELTS and TOEFL as valid qualifications. If you have the freedom to choose, select the test that best showcases your strengths. Not sure which one that is? We’ve created a detailed guide outlining what each test entails, along with key factors to consider, to help you make an informed decision!

What is the IELTS test?

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) stands as the leading English language proficiency exam globally. It is primarily utilized for university admissions outside the United States, as well as for immigration to countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, and is often a requirement for job applications.

Here’s a quick overview of the IELTS:

• You can obtain official IELTS resources from three organizations: The British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English.
• There are two types of IELTS: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic is designed for students applying to study in English, featuring scholarly texts. In contrast, IELTS General Training targets individuals seeking everyday English skills for work or migration, using practical materials like newspaper articles and emails. Both versions share a similar format.
• If you’re relocating to the UK for work, study, or residency, you may need the UKVI IELTS, a specialized version of the test. Check with UK Visas and Immigration to determine if this requirement applies to you.
• You can take the IELTS Indicator online, introduced during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, but it’s not universally accepted. This at-home version indicates your IELTS level rather than officially certifying it. Before opting for this test, verify its acceptance for your specific needs. The full IELTS exam is only available at designated assessment centers.
• To take the full test, visit one of the 1,600+ test centers. Locate your nearest center here.
• The IELTS test provides scores ranging from 1 to 9 across four sections: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Each section is graded on this scale, with 1 indicating minimal proficiency (equivalent to “a few weeks of Duolingo”) and 9 signifying near-native fluency (“Wow! Are you sure you’re not a native speaker?”). While half-point scores are possible for individual sections, your overall score is a whole number, representing the rounded average of your four section scores.
• There is no official passing score for the test, as requirements vary by university, country, or employer. Typically, universities require scores between 6 and 7.5. For migration purposes, passing scores depend on additional factors. Refer to the average test results from 2018 for more insights.

Here are our top 10 tips for preparing for the IELTS.

What is the TOEFL test?

The TOEFL, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is a widely recognized standardized assessment designed to evaluate English proficiency, particularly favored by universities across the United States. Here are some key facts about the TOEFL:

• You can only purchase official TOEFL resources from the Educational Testing Service (ETS), the private organization that administers the exam in the US.
• Primarily used for US college admissions, the SAT is preferred by 90% of American universities. Additionally, over 11,000 colleges in more than 150 countries recognize it, including all UK universities and many in Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
• The TOEFL is less commonly used than the IELTS for visa applications due to its emphasis on academic English. However, since 2020, it is accepted for skilled migration visas to Australia and New Zealand.
• The TOEFL offers various test options for different age groups. The TOEFL ITP is designed for institutions, such as colleges and universities, to assess the English proficiency of their students. For younger learners, the TOEFL Junior targets ages 11 to 16, while the TOEFL Primary is suitable for children aged 11 and up.
• The TOEFL test primarily exists in two formats: Internet-Based Version (iBT) and Paper-Based Test (PBT). As of 2020, the default format is the iBT, commonly referred to as TOEFL-iBT. This article will focus on the TOEFL-iBT, while also noting the alternative PBT for individuals who prefer handwritten responses.
• The TOEFL internet and paper versions differ significantly, particularly in scoring. Unlike IELTS, TOEFL combines section scores for a total between 0 and 120 online, while the paper version ranges from 310 to 677. Additionally, the paper test is offered only four times a year and does not include a speaking section.
• The TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition, launched in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, allows test takers to complete the full exam online from home, with the same content and duration as the traditional TOEFL. Available globally except in Iran and China, the test includes three hours of assessment with a ten-minute break. To ensure integrity, test takers are monitored by a human proctor through a webcam.
• There is no official passing score for the TOEFL iBT. Requirements vary by institution, with accepted scores ranging from 61 at Bowling Green State University to 110 at the University of Oxford.

IELTS vs TOEFL: comparing the big two English tests

IELTS vs TOEFL: equivalent scores 

IELTS vs TOEFL: section by section

Speaking

Out of the four sections, speaking is where the IELTS and the TOEFL differ the most.

IELTS – Speaking

The IELTS Speaking section stands out as the only component of the exam that isn’t conducted in the examination hall alongside the other papers. Instead, you’ll need to book an appointment with an examiner, allowing you to schedule your speaking test up to seven days before or after your written exams. This section is also the briefest, lasting just 11 to 14 minutes.

In contrast to the TOEFL, where you respond to recorded prompts, this interview format involves speaking directly with a person. The good news is that each interview adheres to a consistent script, making your preparation more straightforward than navigating an unscripted conversation. The interview is divided into three distinct parts:

• Part #1: you’ll answer questions about familiar topics (including your family, work or study and interests)
• Part #2: You will receive a card detailing a topic for your “long turn” speech. You’ll have one minute to prepare and then one to two minutes to speak uninterrupted. After your speech, the examiner will ask one or two follow-up questions.
• Part #3: Engage in a discussion with the interviewer on abstract concepts related to the previous topic. For instance, if you discussed personal holiday memories in Part #2, this segment may explore holidays in a broader context.

The speaking section of the IELTS can be daunting for many test-takers, and it’s easy to see why. With its strict format, even proficient speakers must practice to excel. Success hinges on managing your response time—keeping answers to one or two minutes—and structuring them effectively to meet the grading criteria. To ensure you’re prepared, it’s crucial that the test day isn’t your first encounter with this interview style.

Enhancing your score in the Speaking section of the IELTS is entirely possible with the right guidance. By booking sessions with an IELTS-specialist tutor on LingualNeeds, you’ll have a dedicated expert to help you practice. This allows you to identify and correct mistakes in a safe environment, ensuring you’re fully prepared for the actual interview.

TOEFL – Speaking

The TOEFL Speaking section lasts 17 minutes and consists of just four questions. Unlike the IELTS, where you interact with a live examiner, you’ll respond to recorded prompts by speaking into a microphone. This section assesses your ability to articulate responses in an academic context, making it an essential part of your language proficiency evaluation.

Your responses will receive scores ranging from 0 to 4. These individual scores are then summed up and adjusted to produce your total Speaking section score, which is scaled from 0 to 30.

• Question #1 is an independent question, requiring you to rely solely on your own ideas without any supplementary reading or listening materials. You’ll compare two situations or opinions, stating your preference and reasoning. After the recording ends, you’ll have 15 seconds to prepare and must speak for 45 seconds.
• **Integrated Question Format:** The second question on the exam will feature integrated content, requiring you to engage with both reading and listening materials. You’ll begin by reading a passage on a campus-related topic, followed by listening to a conversation about the same subject. Your task is to describe the topic and summarize the viewpoints of both speakers. After the audio, you’ll have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to deliver your response.
• **Integrated Question #3 Overview**: In this section, you’ll read a passage on an academic topic and then listen to a related lecture. A question will assess your comprehension, requiring no specialized knowledge. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare and 60 seconds to respond.
• **Question #4** in the TOEFL speaking test follows the same integrated format as Question #3, with a key difference: you have only 20 seconds to prepare before delivering a 60-second response. Unlike the IELTS speaking test, the TOEFL format is less conversational. You can take notes during the reading and listening sections, which can aid your preparation, but adjusting to the timing—20-30 seconds for thinking and 45-60 seconds for speaking—requires practice. Completing several mock speaking tests will help you gauge the duration of a 45-second response effectively.

Achieving success in the TOEFL speaking test hinges on two key factors: consistent practice and a solid grasp of the evaluation criteria. Engaging in video chat lessons with a professional TOEFL tutor is more affordable than you might expect. Expert guidance can significantly enhance your performance, especially in sections that require honed exam techniques.

Writing

The IELTS writing section lasts for 60 minutes, during which you are required to compose approximately 400 words. In contrast, the TOEFL gives you only 50 minutes to write about 500 words. However, the TOEFL provides helpful resources, such as texts and recordings, in the question paper to support your responses.

IELTS – Writing

The IELTS writing section lasts for 60 minutes and differs based on whether you choose the Academic or General Training format. Each option presents unique tasks that assess your writing skills tailored to specific contexts.

IELTS Academic

Students taking the IELTS Academic will need to complete two tasks.

• **Task #1: Visual Information Analysis**
  Summarize a graph, table, chart, or diagram in your own words. Respond to a prompt like “Explain the data in this chart” or “How does this diagram function?” Your analysis should be approximately 150 words and completed within 20 minutes.
• **Task #2: Compose a 250-word formal essay responding to a given question or prompt. Allocate approximately 40 minutes for this task.**

IELTS General Training

Students preparing for the IELTS General Training must complete two tasks. It’s important to note that answers that are too brief will result in a deduction of marks, so it’s essential to provide thorough responses.

• **Task #1: Compose a 150-word letter.**
  Draft a letter requesting information or providing an explanation based on three provided bullet points. The letter can be personal, semi-formal, or formal, depending on the context. Allocate approximately 20 minutes for this task.
• Task #2: Compose a 250-word personal essay addressing an opinion, argument, or issue. Allocate approximately 40 minutes for this task.

The IELTS writing section is a crucial component of the exam where the guidance of a specialized online tutor can make a significant difference. While practicing your writing in English independently is beneficial, working with a mentor accelerates your progress by providing valuable feedback and tailored improvement strategies. By booking lessons with a LingualNeeds tutor, you’ll receive expert evaluation of your responses and personalized tips to enhance your writing skills.

TOEFL – Writing

The writing section of the TOEFL is 50 minutes long.

• **Integrated Writing Task Overview**
  Question #1, the integrated writing task, requires you to combine multiple language skills. You’ll begin by reading a passage on a specific topic, followed by listening to a short lecture related to that theme. Afterward, you’ll receive a writing prompt and have 20 minutes to compose your response, which should be between 150 and 225 words (writing beyond this limit is allowed).
• Question #2, the independent writing task, requires no listening or reading materials. You have 30 minutes to compose a response of approximately 300 words. To score well, structure your answer like a mini-essay, including an introduction, main points, and a conclusion.

The two questions in the TOEFL reading test are evaluated using distinct grading criteria, making it essential to carefully examine what examiners seek. While you can decipher these criteria independently, enlisting the help of a TOEFL tutor can significantly streamline your preparation. A tutor can review your practice essays and provide targeted feedback, helping you identify specific areas for improvement and enhancing your overall performance.

Reading

Both the IELTS and TOEFL reading sections present a similar challenge: you’ll face approximately the same number of questions and have a comparable time limit to complete them.

IELTS – Reading

The IELTS reading section lasts for 60 minutes, during which you’ll receive a booklet containing three to four lengthy texts and 40 related questions. You’ll need to record your answers on a separate answer sheet. It’s important to note that the specific content may vary depending on the version of the test you are taking.

• For the IELTS Academic exam, reading materials are sourced from journals, magazines, newspapers, and books, featuring non-specialist academic English.
• If you’re preparing for the IELTS General Training, you’ll encounter texts from everyday life, including books, magazines, newspapers, notices, advertisements, and company handbooks.

No matter which IELTS version you choose, the question formats are quite consistent. You’ll encounter a variety of question types, including multiple choice, sentence completion, and selecting the best heading for a paragraph. These questions are designed to assess your reading skills in different areas, such as close reading for detail, skimming for main ideas, understanding arguments, and identifying opinions. It’s important to note that writing skills aren’t evaluated here; you’ll only need to write one or two words in your answers. For more insights on the various reading question types in the IELTS test, click here.

TOEFL – Reading

The TOEFL reading section lasts approximately 54 to 72 minutes and consists of 3 to 4 passages tailored to the reading comprehension level of a first-year college student. For each passage, you’ll tackle 10 questions that test your understanding and analytical skills.

While some of the language may seem challenging, mastering every single word isn’t necessary to achieve a high score. What truly matters is familiarizing yourself with the various question types you’ll encounter. The exam board categorizes these into six main types:

• Type #1 Reading factual information
• Type #2 Inference and rhetorical
• Type #3 Reading vocabulary
• Type #4 Sentence simplification
• Type #5 Insert text
• Type #6 Prose summary

At first glance, these categories may appear overwhelmingly complex, but they’re actually much simpler than you might think. Most questions are multiple choice, and according to IELTS guidelines, you’ll only need to write a few words at most. For a more detailed breakdown of each type, click here.

Grasping the question formats is just as important for achieving a high score as mastering your language skills. By working with a specialized TOEFL tutor, you’ll gain valuable insights and strategies that have proven effective for past test-takers, setting you up for success.

Listening

The listening sections of both exams share a lot of similarities, but the TOEFL stands out with its focus on academic content.

IELTS – Listening

The listening section of the IELTS test is identical for both the Academic and General Training versions. Spanning 30 minutes, this section features four recordings, each played just once. You’ll need to answer a total of 40 questions based on what you hear, all presented in a booklet for your convenience.

The four recordings will follow a set structure.

• Recording #1 will be an everyday conversation between two people.
• Recording #2 will be a monologue about an everyday activity.
• Recording #3 will be a conversation between up to four people in an educational setting.
• Recording #4 will be a monologue about something academic.

The IELTS listening section features a range of question formats, but you’ll typically respond with just one or two words—not full sentences. You might encounter multiple-choice questions, labeling diagrams, or providing brief answers. For more details on what to expect, check out our comprehensive guide to the IELTS listening section.

Enhance your comprehension of various English accents to prepare for the IELTS, which features a diverse range of speakers. You may encounter accents from British, Australian, New Zealand, American, or Canadian English during the listening section. A great way to familiarize yourself is by taking lessons with tutors from different English-speaking regions. This exposure will boost your confidence and understanding.

TOEFL – Listening

The TOEFL listening section lasts between 41 to 57 minutes and features 28 to 39 questions, depending on the specific test version. During this section, you’ll encounter a mix of brief lectures and conversations, all centered around themes related to university life and academic subjects.

• **Type #1: Lectures** – Participate in 3-4 lectures, each lasting 3-5 minutes, and respond to 6 questions for every lecture.
• Type #2: Conversations. Listen to 2-3 conversations, each lasting 3 minutes, and answer 5 questions for each.

This content is designed to mimic the lively discussions typical in an English-speaking college classroom. Feel free to jot down as many notes as you need to tackle the questions effectively. For further details on the types of questions you’ll encounter, click here. Similar to the IELTS exam, the audio you’ll listen to may feature a native speaker from any English-speaking nation. To enhance your understanding, consider taking online lessons with tutors from diverse English-speaking cultures.

IELTS vs. TOEFL: which test should you take?

Still not sure which test to take? Ask yourself these questions.

• Check the preferred English proficiency test for your chosen institution on their website. If the information isn’t available, reach out via email. You may find alternative, cost-effective options to demonstrate your English skills instead of the IELTS or TOEFL.
• Which test does the institution prefer? If there’s no specific preference, research the industry standard. Generally, US colleges favor TOEFL scores.
• Choosing the right test for your strengths? Consider these key differences:

  – **Speaking**: TOEFL’s speaking section is entirely recorded online, while IELTS features live interaction with an examiner.
  – **Reading**: TOEFL offers multiple-choice questions, whereas IELTS requires short written responses.
  – **Writing**: IELTS allows 60 minutes for a 400-word essay, compared to TOEFL’s 45 minutes for a 500-word essay.

  Evaluate these factors to determine which test aligns best with your abilities.

• Which test is more practical for me? Many ESL speakers prefer the IELTS due to its extensive network of testing centers. Conversely, the TOEFL’s well-established online format may be more convenient for those residing in remote areas.
• Handwriting vs. Typing for IELTS: Both the IELTS and other tests offer computer-based options, but IELTS also allows candidates to write answers by hand using pencil and paper. While typing may be quicker for some, remember that the computers will feature an English keyboard layout.

Feeling overwhelmed by your options? If you’re aiming for opportunities beyond the US, the IELTS is your best bet. In fact, it has surpassed the TOEFL in popularity in recent years. To help you get ready, don’t miss our top 10 tips for IELTS preparation!

Prepare for the IELTS or TOEFL with personalized tutoring

Whether you opt for the IELTS or the TOEFL, your goal is to ace it on your first attempt. Both tests come with a hefty price tag and require a significant time investment—definitely not something you want to go through again!

One-on-one video lessons with a specialized tutor can save you money, time, and a significant amount of stress. With an expert in IELTS or TOEFL by your side, you’ll have a supportive ally dedicated to your success. They will monitor your progress, evaluate your practice tests, and identify the specific skills you need to improve. Plus, they’ll share valuable tips and resources that have helped other students reach their goals. Explore LingualNeeds’ affordable options for IELTS and TOEFL tutors—you’ll be amazed at how accessible expert exam preparation can be!