IELTS vs TOEFL - IIE Education

IELTS vs TOEFL 2024: Choosing the Right English Proficiency Exam

If you’re considering studying or working abroad, chances are you’ve encountered the terms IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). These are two of the most widely recognized English proficiency exams globally, but how do they differ, and which one is right for you?

1. Introduction

IELTS and TOEFL are standardized tests designed to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. They are commonly required for admission to universities, visa applications, and immigration purposes in English-speaking countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.

2. Format

Structure of IELTS:

IELTS consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both Academic and General Training versions, while the Reading and Writing sections differ slightly.

Name of the Section	Number of Tasks	Duration (in minutes)
Reading	3	60
Listening	4	30
Speaking	3	11 to 15
Writing	2	60

Structure of TOEFL:

TOEFL comprises four sections as well: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Unlike IELTS, TOEFL is administered entirely via computer and does not have a separate Speaking interview.

Name of the Section	Number of Tasks	Duration(in minutes)
Reading	20	35
Listening	28	36
Speaking	4	16
Writing	2	29

3. IELTS vs TOEFL: Reading Section

Let’s explore the contrast between the reading sections of IELTS and TOEFL.

In the IELTS Academic examination, you’ll engage with three reading passages that delve into diverse subjects, spanning approximately 2,150-2,750 words in total. These passages are drawn from a range of sources such as books, magazines, newspapers, journals, or websites.
Conversely, the TOEFL test presents only two reading passages, each approximately 700 words in length. Notably, you don’t need to possess specialized knowledge to answer the questions.
Both IELTS and TOEFL require you to deduce answers based on your comprehension of the passages. Thus, success relies more on understanding the information presented rather than having expertise in the topics covered.

4. IELTS vs TOEFL: Listening Section

Let’s explore the variances between the listening sections of IELTS and TOEFL.

IELTS Listening Section:

In the IELTS Listening section, there are four segments, with 10 questions in each segment.
The first two segments concentrate on everyday situations and social contexts, while the latter ones lean towards academic topics.
Sections 1 and 3 incorporate multiple speakers, offering a diverse listening experience, whereas sections 2 and 4 consist of monologues.

TOEFL Listening Section:

In the TOEFL listening section, there are five segments, which include conversations and lectures delivered in a language relevant to international studies.
Within this format, there are three lectures, each followed by six questions, along with two conversations involving two speakers, contributing to the variety of listening exercises.

5. IELTS vs TOEFL: Speaking Section

Let’s delve into the disparities between the speaking sections of TOEFL and IELTS. The significant difference lies in their respective formats.

In the IELTS speaking section, you participate in a direct conversation or video call with an IELTS examiner.
In contrast, TOEFL’s speaking section requires responding to prompts using a microphone, emphasizing listening skills. This setup combines both listening and speaking tasks within TOEFL’s speaking section.
Furthermore, IELTS speaking responses undergo evaluation by human examiners, while TOEFL utilizes a combination of artificial intelligence (AI) and human evaluators for assessing speaking tasks.

6. IELTS vs TOEFL: Writing Section

Let’s explore the variances between the writing sections of TOEFL and IELTS. Both exams comprise two distinct writing tasks.

IELTS Writing Section:

In IELTS Writing Task 1, test-takers receive data in the form of a graph, chart, table, or diagram. They must produce a minimum of 150 words within 20 minutes.
For IELTS Writing Task 2, candidates are tasked with composing a response of at least 250 words addressing an argument, problem, or perspective. This task allows 40 minutes for completion.

TOEFL Writing Section:

In TOEFL, Task 1 involves an integrated assignment incorporating listening, reading, and writing skills.
Candidates listen to a brief lecture, read a short passage, and then craft a response based on the information provided.
Moving to TOEFL Task 2, candidates are required to write an essay expressing their opinion within an online classroom discussion.
This task evaluates the ability to articulate ideas coherently and cohesively in written form.

7. IELTS vs TOEFL Score Comparison

IELTS scores vary from 1 to 9, with your total score being the average of your individual results across the four areas. Your average, for example, is rounded up to 6.5 if it is 6.25. The TOEFL exam, in contrast, has a maximum score of 120 points.

TOEFL Band Score	IELTS Band Score
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