This document compares the TOEFL and IELTS exams, which are two popular English proficiency tests required for graduate admissions. Both tests assess reading, listening, speaking and writing skills, but they differ in structure, question types, scoring and acceptance. The TOEFL is preferred in North America and uses multiple choice questions, while the IELTS is more common in the UK and Europe and includes other question formats. Test takers should choose the exam that better matches their strengths and the requirements of their target universities. Overall, with proper preparation, high scores can be achieved on either test.

1. TOEFL vs. IELTS
To show your readiness for graduate school, you have to go through a few
popular entrance tests. Some grad schools demand TOEFL scores and
others for IELTS. However, the method and purpose of both are to test the
English language skills of candidates. So, whic h test should you go for,
TOEFL or IELTS? What is the difference between TOEFL and IELTS? Which
test does your desired school prefer? Which test is easier and gets you a
higher score? You might even have more questions, and to answer all the
queries, we have made this TOEFL vs. IELTS guide for you.
Let us help you to make up your mind and choose between TOEFL and
IELTS.
TOEFL Overview

2. The full form of TOEFL is the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is a
high-quality and high-standard test to measure the English language
proficiency of the candidate. People appear in this test to apply for work,
studies, and immigration as it is preferred and accepted worldwide.
Schools or universities ask for the TOEFL score to assure the readiness of
applicants for the classroom and beyond. The TOEFL has several versions,
but the TOEFL iBT is its most accepted and commonly taken version, and it
is administered over the internet. Over 11,500 academic institutes in
more than 160 countries require the TOEFL test to know if you are ready
to succeed or not. It can be given either at home or in a testing center.
The choice is yours.
TOEFL Test Structure
The time of the TOEFL is 3 hours, but if you count check -in time too, then
it takes 3.5 hours to complete. The TOEFL has the following sections:
• Reading
• Listening
• Speaking
• Writing
Following is the table of the TOEFL test structure with details:

3. Section No. of questions Allotted time Tasks
Reading 30 – 40 questions 54 – 72 minutes Read, understand then give an answer
Listening 28 – 39 questions 41 – 57 minutes Listen and then speak to give an answer
Break – 10 minutes –
Speaking 4 tasks 17 minutes Listen and then speak to give an answer
Writing 2 tasks 50 minutes Read, listen and then write to give an answe
A Closer Look of Sections
Here is a brief overview of all the TOEFL sections mentioned above:
TOEFL Reading
The reading section of TOEFL includes 3 to 4 reading passages of almost
700 words, and you have to answer 10 questions per passage. Don’t worry
about the type of passages or questions because they will be from the
university-level textbooks. You just have to understand the passage,
question, or MCQ to give the right answers. This section of TOEFL is to

4. test your reading ability, like how well you can read and understand
something. Moreover, you have to answer all questions in 54 to 72
minutes.
TOEFL Listening
The listening section of TOEFL is to assure the administrators that you
have the ability to respond within the campus and understand lectures
and conversations in English. The listening questions are of two types:
lectures and conversations.
You will be given 2 to 3 conversations and 3 to 4 lectures to listen to, and
then you have to answer the questions. You can take notes while listening
to answer questions later. Each audio will be 3 or 5 minutes long with 5 to
6 questions each. The language of the TOEFL listening section will be
campus-based, and you will have 41 to 57 minutes to complete it.

5. TOEFL Speaking
The speaking section of TOEFL has a total of 4 tasks, and these are to
measure your ability to communicate with mates, teachers, and others
around you. The four tasks are further divided into questions. The first
question is the independent speaking task, and the other ones are the
integrated speaking tasks.
You have to listen and speak or read, listen and speak or respond with
your ideas, experiences, and opinions. The TOEFL speaking section is 17
minutes in total, and you will get 15 – 30 seconds to prepare an answer to
respond for 45 or 60 seconds long.

6. TOEFL Writing
The TOEFL writing section has two tasks: an integrated writing task and an
independent task of 20 to 30 minutes. For an integrated writing task, you
have to read a passage or hear a lecture and then respond in a passage of
150 to 225 words long. For the independent writing task, you have to give
your opinion or share your personal experience in an essay of almost 300
words.
This section of TOEFL is to test your grammar, vocabulary, sentence
structure, and ability to write in an academic setting. Your response must
be clear, organized, and focused.

7. IELTS Overview
The full form of IELTS is the International English Language Testing
System. It is another popular test to measure the proficiency of
candidates in the English language. Over 11,000 organizations, including
governments, employers, educational institutions, and other professional
bodies around the globe, accept it.
It has two versions, IELTS Academics and IELTS General Training. People
mostly give IELTS academics as it is for both higher education and
profession. However, the format and grading of both are the same.
IELTS can be taken in paper format or computer -based form. The result
dates and the fees of computer-based and paper-format tests differ.
IELTS Test Structure

8. The IELTS is for 2 hours and 45 minutes, and it also measures your four
skills in four sections such as:
• Listening
• Reading
• Writing
• Speaking
While registering for IELTS, you are allowed to schedule your speaking
section a week before or after the other sections. Following is the table of
IELTS with details:
Section No. of Questions Allotted Time
Listening 40 30 minutes
Reading 40 60 minutes
Writing 2 60 minutes
Speaking 3 11 – 14 minutes
A Closer Look of Sections
Here is a brief overview of all the IELTS sections mentioned above:
IELTS Listening
The IELTS listening section will have four recordings of native English
speakers, and each recording will be of a different type. It is to test your
listening skills on a wide range. You have to answer 40 questions within
30 minutes, and questions will be in different types.
IELTS Reading
The reading section of IELTS is to evaluate the reading skills of the
candidate on a large scale. Within 60 minutes, you have to read three long

9. passages and give the answer to 40 questions. The passages can be from
anywhere, like journals, books, newspapers, and magazines.
Long texts or passages are chosen to test how well you can read and
understand the main ideas, details, and inferences and recognize the
writer’s purpose, attitude, and opinion. Just like listening, the questions
of Reading sections will have types or different formats.
IELTS Writing
The writing section of IELTS is to measure your academic writing skills,
and it has two tasks. One task is opinion -based, and that should be 150
words long; in the second task, you have to write an essay to prove your
point of view, argument, or problem in 250 words on the given topic.
IELTS Speaking
The speaking section of IELTS is like an interview and oral exam. You will
have a conversation with an examiner, and your respon se will be
recorded. All three parts of speaking tests test your speaking skills and
how you analyze, discuss and speculate about an issue, express or justify
your opinions, and for how long you can speak on a topic fluently and
naturally. Other than this, your fluency, coherence, accuracy, vocabulary,
grammatical range, and pronunciation will also be tested in 11 to 14
minutes.
Key Difference between TOEFL and IELTS Tests
Language Types
Both exams test the English proficiency of the candidates, but one of the
main differences is the type of language and accent. TOEFL is written and
administered by ETS – an American exam board. Students who want to
study in the US, North America, or other places where communication and
academic content are in American English take the TOEFL.

10. On the other hand, IELTS is run and accredited by the British Council and
does not use any specific form of English. Students who have learnt
British English in the past, want to study in the UK and can fluently speak
English to communicate or give answers using American, British, or any
form of English should go for the IELTS.
In short, American accent speakers take the TOEFL, and English speakers
of different accents take the IELTS exam.
Questions Types
The TOEFL exam questions are primarily in multiple -choice format, and
you have to solve them all in 3hours or more. Whereas the IELTS test
comes with different types of questions like gap -filling questions, short
essays, and short answers, you have to answer them in 2 hours and more.

11. If you prefer selecting answers from a list of options, then you should go
for TOEFL. And if you are good at writing down your own opinions as
answers, then IELTS is for you.
Speaking Section Formats
Like the listening, writing and reading sections’ format, speaking sections
of both the TOEFL and IELTS also differ. The speaking se ction of TOEFL is
taken by the computer or electronic devices. You will give your response
by speaking into the microphone after hearing recorded questions. Also,
the speaking section of TOEFL is always the third part to take on exam
day.
On the other hand, you have to communicate directly with an examiner to
take the IELTS speaking section. They will evaluate your speaking skills by
having a face-to-face conversation with you. Moreover, you can give the
IELTS speaking test a week before or after the actual test day.
Having an actual conversation with an examiner is nerve -wracking, while
some find it easy and natural. So, if you are more confident in giving your
exam to a native English speaker face to face, then go for IELTS, and if
you are okay to speak into the void, then TOEFL is best for you. Choose
the one between IELTS and TOEFL you would feel most comfortable with.
Reading Section Texts
To evaluate the reading skills, both TOEFL and IELTS give passages with a
series of questions. But the type of texts differs. IELTS passages are
always from magazines, journals, and newspapers, whereas the TOEFL
uses university-level or academic textbooks. With good reading skills, you
can ace both exam reading sections easily.
Score and Grades

12. Both tests might test the same skills, but their scoring or grading methods
vary. IELTS uses the band system to grade students, and the bands are
from 0 – 9. However, the TOEFL grading points are from 0 – 120. The
TOEFL doesn’t round off your grades to its nearest band, but IELTS does
that.
Timings per Section
The sections of both exams are the same, and just like their format and
types of questions, their timings are also different. Have a look at the
table below to know the time difference of IELTS vs. TOEFL :
Sections IELTS TOEFL
Listening 30 minutes 41 – 57 minutes
Reading 60 minutes 54 – 72 minutes
Writing 60 minutes 50 minutes
Speaking 11 – 14 minutes 17 minutes
Cost of Exams

13. Finally, what is the cost of both tests is another difference you need to
know. The cost of each exam varies from country to country. Among all
the popular entrance tests, the TOEFL and IELTS cost less. To find out how
much the fee is for IELTS and how much the fee is for TOEFL, you must
visit their official website. They have mentioned all the details required to
complete your registration, like the cost of exams, testing center nearby,
available seats and dates. However, both exams cost about $200 to S250
approximately.
Comparison Chart
The following chart is to overview the comparison between TOEFL and
IELTS quickly:
Categories TOEFL IELTS
Time Allowed 3 hours 2 hours 45 minutes
Total Sections 4 4
Sections Names
Writing
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Score Range 0 – 120 0 – 9
Test Fee Varies by country Varies by country
Test Type Computer Based Computer Based & Paper Based
Test Validity 2 years 2 years
Age Limit – 16 Yrs +
Difficulty Level Average High
Is TOEFL easier than IELTS?
None of them is hard or easy. If you are confident or comfortable with
American English, then go for TOEFL.

14. And if your academic background and skills are good in British English or
other, then IELTS would be easy for you. To know the right answer, check
out the preparation material of both exams and select the one you are
comfortable and confident with. Don’t forget your target university or
place test requirement or preference.
IELTS or TOEFL, which is better to take?
It depends on the school you are planning to enroll in and the country
you are moving to. As IELTS is popular in the UK and Australia, people
prefer taking it, and the same is the case with TOEFL in other countries.
We would suggest you to check the criter ia of grad school and country
before selecting between IELTS and TOEFL.
Which test is easy to score high, TOEFL or IELTS?
It is the most asked question when people have a choice of taking any one
of them. With good preparation and practice, you can score h igh on any
test. Do a self-analysis before deciding by asking yourself that:
• Are you good at standard American English or British, or any other?
• Do you perform better in multiple choice questions or other types
of questions?
• Are you good at typing or writing on paper?
• For the speaking section, would you prefer human interaction or a
computer device?
Don’t confuse yourself. Answer these questions with a straightforward yes
or no, to clearly understand which exam can get you a high score and
better chances.

15. We recommend you to prepare for IELTS or TOEFL from the expert tutors
to raise your chances of attaining high scores or bands.
Conclusion:
Both are English language proficiency tests and have four sections:
listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Now, yo u know all the details of
IELTS and TOEFL and how they differ. Pick one that plays more with your
strengths, and your target institute is more interested in. Whether you
are a native English speaker or not, you must know the right strategies to
learn and ace the tests with high scores. Our purpose in writing this
detailed blog on TOEFL vs. IELTS was to guide you about tests and help
you accomplish your goals and dreams. We have a list of highly skilled,
professional, and expert private and online TOEFL and IELTS tutors on
board. We suggest you pair with our experienced tutors now and get
ready to be on the top of the scale.
We welcome you with complete guidelines, preparation materials details,
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