TOEFL vs IELTS
BY KATE HARDIN ON NOVEMBER 5, 2013 IN FAQ: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE TOEFL, TOEFL VS IELTS, TOEFL VS OTHER TESTS
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are two of the most widely-accepted tests to certify your English proficiency. The decision to take the TOEFL vs IELTS will ultimately depend on a number of factors. At this point, you may even be asking, "What is the TOEFL test?" or "What is the IELTS?" Read on to discover which test is best for you.
what is the toefl test
EXAM TOEFL IELTS
Length About 4 hours long 2 hours and 45 minutes long
Locations Available at over 500 locations in the US, over 4,500 worldwide Available at 59 locations in the US, about 900 worldwide
Price Cost is usually between 160 and 200 USD Cost varies widely even within the same country; usually is around 200 USD
Scoring Score on a sliding scale from 0 to 120 Score in any of 9 "bands," or levels
Does Magoosh offer prep? Yes! Magoosh TOEFL Prep Yes! Magoosh IELTS Prep
TOEFL vs IELTS at a glance
The TOEFL and IELTS exams are fairly different, and therefore some people will find that they are naturally better suited for one than they are for the other. You probably want to know which test you should study for. But before we discuss their similarities and differences, remember that both IELTS and TOEFL are standardized tests. This means that, with some coaching and practice (like we have in the Magoosh TOEFL free trial), you can learn to do well on whichever exam you decide to take. Let"s talk more specifically about each exam...
The TOEFL is a language test for non-native English speakers, and is commonly used as an entrance exam at universities and graduate schools. Because of this, the TOEFL offers only academic English. On the other hand, the IELTS offers an academic option as well as a general test; this is generally the preferred test for immigration purposes to the UK and Canada.
The IELTS academic test and the TOEFL compared to the IELTS general test are both more difficult, but they are usually the only options if you want to study at any level higher than secondary school. No matter which test you take, be aware that the scores all expire 2 years after your test date. (And if you"re curious, you can see how the scores on the two exams compare here).
When you compare the format of the IELTS with the TOEFL format, you will notice a couple of things. First of all, both of them have four basic sections, each of which tests a basic skill (reading, listening, speaking, writing). But while the TOEFL only tests academic subjects, the IELTS academic option will have academic reading and writing sections combined with general listening and speaking sections. Overall, the IELTS has more of a real-world feel than the TOEFL. Deciding how hard the TOEFL is versus the IELTS truly depends on your English background.
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