This tutorial compares important features of IELTS and TOEFL.

This will provide you with sufficient information for you to:-

* decide which exam meets you educational or vocational needs* decide which exam best suits your personal style

Is it better to take IELTS or TOEFL? Let’s look at the facts and then you decide.

Acceptance

What can you do with your IELTS or TOEFL certificates? Are both equally valid worldwide?

Many people believe that because IELTS is not a test created in the USA, then it won’t be accepted there for study purposes. Likewise, they imagine that TOEFL would not be universally accepted in the UK, Australia or New Zealand. Well, neither belief is 100% true. A brief fact check:-

* IELTS is accepted by universities and colleges worldwide* TOEFL is also accepted in all countries EXCEPT the UK* Institutions in the USA sometimes prefer you to have the TOEFL

For immigration purposes:-

* IELTS General Training is a prerequisite for those applying for residency in the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.* To obtain a work, study or resident visa for the UK, you may be told to take IELTS UKVI. 

Length of validity:

* Both IELTS and TOEFL certificates are valid for a period of 2 years after the test date.

Practical details

An overview of factors such as cost, availability, frequency and the results process:-

* Costs are around the same* IELTS is offered at over 1,100 locations in 140 countries* TOEFL can be taken anywhere in the world* IELTS has 48 test dates per year; TOEFL a total of 50.* Results of both are published around 2 weeks after the test date.

Comparing format, content and scoring

IELTS and TOEFL are similar in that the test is divided into 4 sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. But there are differences in terms of exam version and length, the content sources for each test, the predominant types of questions asked and the scoring system, although perhaps most noticeable is the lack of any face-to-face contact in TOEFL. Let’s compare these aspects beginning with the last one:-

Computer or paper:

* IELTS’ candidates can take the paper based test or the less common computer delivered version. In both the Speaking section is done face-to-face with an examiner.* TOEFL is predominantly computer delivered through what is known as the TOEFL iBT version. Everything, including the speaking part, is done online. A paper TOEFL version, in countries where internet connections are unavailable, is held just 4 times a year and the Speaking part is not included.

Sections, exam version and length:

* As mentioned above, there are two versions of IELTS: Academic or General Training, the latter suited for those applying for immigration or for work purposes. In both, the first three sections – Listening, Reading and Writing – are taken on the same day. The test lasts two hours, thirty minutes with 30 minutes devoted to Listening and 60 minutes each to the other parts. The Speaking test takes around 15 minutes and is usually taken one or two days before the main part of the exam. Total exam length: 2 hours 45 minutes.* TOEFL iBT follows a Reading, Listening,