IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Exam should you take?

Q: How can I get a 100% scholarship to study in UK?

Yes, it is possible to get 100% scholarships to study in the UK. There are various external funding agencies that offer 100% scholarships to international students to study in the UK. Three main UK government scholarships for international students are; GREAT Scholarships Chevening Scholarships Commonwealth Scholarships However, to get 100% scholarships to study in the UK, international students must meet all the eligibility criteria and apply within the deadlines.

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Priya Garg

Study Abroad Expert

Updated on Aug 16, 2024 13:55 IST

IELTS vs TOEFL: TOEFL and IELTS are the two main English-language proficiency tests available for students and employees of non-English speaking countries. The scores of these tests imply that the test taker is efficient in carrying out their daily communication in an academic or work setting freely and effectively. These scores are accepted widely at most global universities.

Often universities abroad ask for either TOEFL scores or IELTS score from international applicants. The IELTS vs TOEFL debate often confuses the students. Students are also confused about IELTS academic vs general for masters. However, it's up to the students to choose which exam is more relevant for them. There are various factors such as study material availability, pattern of the exam, toughness level, demand of universities, test center availability, etc. that must be kept in mind.

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As it is up to the English test taker to decide which of these two exams, here is a guide on IELTS vs TOEFL to help you making the decision between two.

IELTS vs TOEFL Exam Structure

The table given below provides differences between all the sections of both the examinations:

Section	TOEFL	IELTS
Reading	20 questions, 35 minutes Reading materials are academic in nature Questions are multiple choice	40 questions, 60 minutes This section includes three long reading passages along with some tasks associated with them. Materials are related to an academic setting There are multiple types of questions (gap fill, matching, illustrations, etc.)
Listening	The listening selection is very different from IELTS You will have 36 minutes of listening selections from lectures or campus conversations and solve 28 questions for the same. Take notes and respond to multiple-choice questions.	30 minutes, 40 questions This test section encompasses 4 recorded conversations and monologues. You will answer questions as you move through the listening selection of the test.
Writing	This section involves two tasks which must be completed within 29 minutes. Note-taking is important as the second task asks you to take notes from a reading selection in a textbook and then a recorded lecture on the same topic. You are then asked to respond using notes by writing a 150 - 225 word selection integrating both the reading and listening selection.	In the first task, students have to describe/explain an image/table/graph/chart in at least 150 words or summarise some given information. In the second task, they will be required to write a short essay of around 250 words. Both these tasks are to be completed within 60 minutes.
Speaking	You are asked to record responses on the computer for 16 minutes to four different tasks based on short descriptions/conversations. The speaking section of the test lasts 20 minutes.	The IELTS speaking section lasts from 11 to 14 minutes, includes 3 questions/tasks and takes place with an examiner, rather than a computer. There is a short warm-up exercise consisting mainly of small talk, followed by a response to some sort of visual stimulus and, finally, a more extended discussion on a related topic.

Total Score Comparisons

The table given below provides a comparison between the overall scoring of both the examinations:

IELTS Score	TOEFL Score
9	118-120
8.5	115-117
8	110-114
7.5	102-109
7	94-101
6.5	79-93
6	60-78
5.5	46-59
5	35-45
4.5	32-34
0-4	0-31

IELTS vs TOEFL: North American or British / UK accent?

For British or Australian accent - IELTS
For American accent - TOEFL

IELTS vs TOEFL: Vocabulary and idiomatic expressions

For British or Australian English - IELTS
For American English - TOEFL

IELTS vs TOEFL: Can you type relatively fast?

If you can type fast, you may opt for TOEFL as it requires that you type your essays in the written section of the test.
If you type slowly, go for IELTS as you have to handwrite your essay responses.

IELTS vs TOEFL: Test duration

The IELTS test is comparatively longer - about 2 hours 45 minutes.
If you want to finish fast, you can take TOEFL - it lasts for less than 2 hours. However, shorter does not necessarily mean easier.

IELTS vs TOEFL: Range of questions

If yes – then take IELTS. It has a much wider range of question types including multiple choice, gap fill, matching exercises, etc.
If you prefer multiple choice questions – then take TOEFL.

IELTS vs TOEFL: Note taking

Note taking is important for both IELTS and TOEFL. However, it is much more critical for TOEFL. The IELTS requires you to answer questions as you listen to the exam.

IELTS vs TOEFL: Interaction with examiner

The difference between IELTS speaking and TOEFL speaking sections is that in the IELTS you have to interact with the examiner directly. However, in the TOEFL you will not be interacting with the examiner directly.

IELTS Academic vs General for Masters

Candidates must note that IELTS Academic is for students who wish to study in a country where English is the native language.
IELTS General Training module is for those who wish to apply for a PR or job in English-speaking countries.

IELTS vs TOEFL Section-wise Score Comparison

Listening Section Score Comparisons

The table given below provides a comparison between the IELTS listening section scores and TOEFL listening section scores:

IELTS Score	TOEFL Score
9	30
8.5	29
8	28
7.5	27
7	24-26
6.5	20-23
6	12-19
5.5	7-11
5	4-6
4.5	3
	0

Speaking Section Score Comparisons

The table given below provides a comparison between the IELTS speaking section scores and TOEFL speaking section scores:

IELTS Score	TOEFL Score
9.0	30
8.5	28-29
8.0	26-27
7.5	24-25
7.0	23
6.5	20-22
6.0	18-19
5.5	16-17
5.0	14-15
4.5	12-13
	0-11

Reading Section Score Comparisons

The table given below provides a comparison between the IELTS reading section scores and TOEFL reading section scores:

IELTS Score	TOEFL Score
9	30
8.5	29
8	29
7.5	27-28
7	24-26
6.5	19-23
6	13-18
5.5	8-12
5	4-7
4.5	3
	0-2

Writing Section Score Comparisons

The table given below provides a comparison between the IELTS writing section scores and TOEFL writing section scores:

IELTS Score	TOEFL Score
9.0	30
8.5	30
8.0	30
7.5	29
7.0	27-28
6.5	24-26
6.0	21-23
5.5	18-20
5.0	14-17
4.5	12-13
	0-11

If you have finalised either of the two: IELTS and TOEFL, you might want to know When to start preparing for IELTS or TOEFL?. In case you are still confused, consider reading IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Academic vs Duolingo: Which test you should take.

Q: Which is better among TOEFL and IELTS?

The "better" test depends on your specific needs and goals. Both TOEFL and IELTS are widely accepted English proficiency tests, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

The TOEFL exam is widely accepted in all the universities present in major study-abroad destinations such as the USA, the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. The mode of the TOEFL exam is computer-based and it focuses more on the academic English. The exam takes 2 hours to complete in which it assesses all four skills of the test taker namely - speaking, listening, reading and writing.

On the other hand, the IELTS exam covers modeules from both academic English and general training English. However, the IELTS exam format differ entirely from that of the TOEFL exam. The IELTS exam takes a total of 3 hours to get completed in two different sittings. Students have to take the speaking section (11-14 minutes, with a real examiner) of the test up to 7 days either before or after taking the main IELTS exam in which the reading, listening and writing skills are assessed in the time frame of 2 hours and 44 minutes.

The other main points of difference between the IELTS and TOEFL exams are given below. Students can choose the exam that suits them the best based on the following and above-mentioned information.

IELTS Vs TOEFL
Feature	TOEFL	IELTS
Format	Computer-based	Computer-based or paper-based
Focus	Academic English	Academic or general English
Speaking	Computer-based	Face-to-face with an examiner
Scoring	0-120	0-9

Q: Is university of West of Scotland good for international students?

The University of the West of Scotland has five modern and diverse campuses in United Kingdom. The University has welcomed more than 3,000 international students which are representing 1/3 of the globe. They also have 130 European partners who are actively in global study and exchange options through the Commonwealth universities programmes. The University also offers study abroad opportunities for UWS who are eligible for the same and also have more than 20 transnational education partners worldwide which helps them deliver UWS Bachelors and Masters Degrees around the world.

Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

Know the exam pattern
Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
Solve previous year question papers
Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
Revise regularly
Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

Q: What rank is Wolverhampton University in UK?

The University of Wolverhampton is one of the best universities in the United Kingdom. The university is consistently ranked among the best universities nationally and globally. For nearly 200 years, the University of Wolverhampton has been consistently providing a quality of education to students and producing highly skilled graduates. The national rankings of the University of Wolverhampton are given below:

Ranking Body	Ranking
The Guardian University Guide 2024	#101
The Complete University Guide 2024	#117

Q: Why indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School - UK?

Indian students choose to study at Hult International Business School in the UK for several reasons, including its highly ranked programs, global outlook, and career support. Hult offers a range of full-time master’s degrees, immersive bachelor's programs, and MBA options that prepare students to excel in the global job market. The school is the largest and top-ranked global business school, providing students with an incomparable universal outlook. Additionally, Hult's focus on experiential learning, extensive career support, and the opportunity to study at multiple campuses around the world are attractive to Indian students seeking a global business education. Furthermore, the school's emphasis on innovation and meeting the needs of students and employers may also contribute to its appeal to Indian students

Q: How to download UK Board 12th date sheet 2024?

Following are the steps to download the UK 12th date sheet 2024.

Open the Uttarakhand Board's official website at ubse.uk.gov.in
Click on 'Examination Scheme' available on the homepage
A new window will appear on the screen containing a link of the UK Board 12th date sheet 2024
Click the link and download the Uttarakhand 12th date sheet 2024

Q: How can I get a 100% scholarship to study in UK?

Yes, it is possible to get 100% scholarships to study in the UK. There are various external funding agencies that offer 100% scholarships to international students to study in the UK. Three main UK government scholarships for international students are;

However, to get 100% scholarships to study in the UK, international students must meet all the eligibility criteria and apply within the deadlines.

Q: How to prepare for UK 10th board exam 2025?

Those who are preparing for the UK Class 10 exam 2025 are recommended to follow the tips below.

Know the exam pattern
Make a proper time table as per the syllabus
Solve previous year question papers
Make short notes of important formulas and theorems
Revise regularly
Figure out weaker areas and learn them well

With proper planning and hard work, students can easily clear the UK 10th board exam.

About the Author

Written by

Priya Garg

Study Abroad Expert

Priya Garg is a seasoned content writer and editor. With her rich experience in content writing, teaching and research & analysis, Priya believes in providing only the correct information which is also up-to-date. H... Read Full Bio

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IELTS vs TOEFL: Which Exam should you take?

IELTS vs TOEFL Exam Structure

Total Score Comparisons

IELTS vs TOEFL: North American or British / UK accent?

IELTS vs TOEFL: Vocabulary and idiomatic expressions