The first thing you need to check is which universities and colleges accept each test. If you really want to go to a certain university and it only accepts IELTS, then that is the test you should do. You can check which institutions accept IELTS and the band score you need here. For TOEFL you should check here.
You should also check if there is a test center in your local area. The test is already stressful without having to do lots of travelling. You can find your local IELTS test centre here.
You should also think about why you want to do the test. If it is for university entrance there is not much difference between the two tests, but if you are not attending university and just need it to move to another country, the General Training paper that IELTS offers is proabably much more suitable for your needs.
IELTS vs TOEFL: Similarities
Both test the four main language skills: reading, writing, listening and speaking. They are both standardised tests which- in theory- means that the scores are consistent throughout the world.
There is not much difference in price either, with both costing between $150 and $250 dollars depending on where you do it.
That is where the similarities end and there are many more differences. Below I will look at how each of the four skills are different.
Differences: Speaking
This is probably the biggest difference between the two tests. In the IELTS test you will talk to a real person and in the TOEFL test you will speak to a computer!
Some people find talking to a computer very strange while others actually prefer it.
In the TOEFL test you will be asked 6 questions and it lasts around 20 minutes. You will be asked two questions on familiar topics, such as your home town or family. You will also be asked to summarise information from a text or conversation and to give your opinion. Finally, you will be asked to summarise information from a short conversation.
The IELTS speaking test consists of 3 sections and lasts around 15 minutes. This test is with a real person and feels more like a real conversation. The first part is on familiar topics such as your home, job or studies. You will then be given a topic and you will have one minute to prepare a monologue of between 1-2 minutes. Finally, you will be asked question linked to the topic you spoke about in part 2.
Some of my students have commented that they find the TOEFL test more of a challenge because it feels very unnatural talking to a computer. However, lots of other students (normally the shy ones) actually prefer talking to a computer and don"t like talking to a stranger.
Another point I should add is students have remarked that they can clarify information with examiners and ask them occasionally to repeat a question. This is obviously not available in the TOEFL test.
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