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Every year, scores of students aspiring to study in the US and other countries like Australia and New Zealand, to name a few appear for English language proficiency tests to prove their language proficiency and to get admission to their preferred institute and course. The two highly recognised English language proficiency tests are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Both these tests help students to study abroad and work in English-speaking nations after proving their English language abilities.
Premier universities and colleges follow standardised admission policies for international students. Students need to show their proficiency in the English language by clearing exams like IELTS and TOEFL. Good scores in these exams ensure that they possess the necessary English skills for understanding academic writing, producing scholarly writing and communicating with their supervisors.
Although both are English language proficiency tests, they have different formats, test structures, scoring and many other things. So, let’s uncover these differences.
IELTS vs TOEFL
Both the tests comprise 4 sections: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking, but the test structure of TOEFL iBT differs from IELTS.
Test Structure- TOEFL iBT
| Test Structure | Purpose | Inclusions | Duration |
| Reading Section | Measure ability to understand and read the kind of materials used in an academic setting. |
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54-72 minutes |
| Listening | understand lectures and conversations in English |
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| Speaking | Measure English speaking ability in an academic environment | Comprises 4 tasks:
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Preparation time: 15-30 seconds before each response Response time: 45-60 seconds |
| Writing | Measure writing ability in an academic setting | Comprises 2 tasks:
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IELTS: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training are two kinds of IELTS tests. The Academic test is for those who wish to study at university or in an English-speaking setting (higher education) and pursue a professional career. The IELTS General Training is designed for those who wish to study below degree level in an English-speaking college or school, and for work-related purposes.
| Test Structure
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Inclusions
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Listening (Paper format)
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Reading (paper format)
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Academic
· Mix question types (multiple choice, matching features, note completion and diagram label completion, to name a few)
General Training
· 3 long texts
· Mix question types (multiple choice, matching features, note completion, sentence and note completion, etc.)
· 40 questions, 60 minutes
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Writing (Paper format)
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Academic
Task 1: Describing visual information (graph/chart/table/diagram) in 150 words in 20 minutes
Task 2: Writing an essay of 250 words in 40 minutes
General Training
Task 1: Writing a letter of 150 words in 20 minutes
Task 2: Writing an academic essay of a minimum of 250 words in 40 minutes
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Speaking
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An oral interview with an examiner - 3 parts (introduction and interview, long turn and discussion )
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IELTS
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TOEFL
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Conducting Body
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Cambridge English and the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia
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Educational Testing Services (ETS)
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Test Format
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| Scoring
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0-9
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0-120
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| Duration
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2 hours and 45 minutes
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Approximately 3 hours
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Acceptance worldwide
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Recognised by over 11,000 organisations globally and 3,400 institutions in the USA
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11,500 universities and other institutions in more than 150 countries, including the US, the UK, New Zealand, Canada and across Europe and Asia
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Results
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Paper-based test: 13 days after the written test
Computer-based: 3-5 days after the test
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At Test centre and iBT Home Edition: 4-8 days after the test date
iBT Paper Edition: 11-13 days after the test
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A Pro-Tip: To study abroad, check the course-specific admission guidelines of the university carefully before appearing for TOEFL or IELTS tests.
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