Introduction
When planning to study abroad, one of the most crucial steps for international students is proving English language proficiency. For most universities and colleges worldwide, two exams stand out as the primary choices: IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Choosing between these two tests can be challenging, as each has unique formats, scoring systems, and regional preferences. While IELTS is more widely accepted in countries like the UK, Australia, and Canada, TOEFL is often favored by institutions in the United States.
Understanding the differences in test structure, cost, scoring, and acceptance will help you decide which exam aligns better with your goals and strengths. Additionally, recognizing which exam is preferred by the institutions and countries you are targeting can make a significant difference in your application process. In this guide, we’ll delve into both tests to offer a comprehensive comparison, covering essential aspects like test format, exam structure, regional popularity, and more. By the end, you’ll have a clear understanding of which test might be the best fit for your academic journey abroad. But the confusion is which one is more accepted? IELTS or TOEFL? Read the complete blog to know the answer.
About the Exams- IELTS or TOEFL
TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language more commonly referred to as TOEFL is an English proficiency test taken by students who wish to migrate to English speaking countries. This test examines the test takers ability to adapt to the classroom setting of migrating countries.
IELTS: IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is a key requirement for many international universities. This English proficiency test assesses your listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. You’ll need it for applications to universities in English-speaking countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and 140+ more.
Exam Syllabus: TOEFL Exam Vs IELTS Exam
| TOEFL EXAM SYLLABUS | ||
| Sections | Description | Duration |
| Reading section | This section contains two reading passages, each is around 700 words long, with 10 questions per passage. Candidates are required to comprehend the passages and answer questions based on them. The scores are calculated on the basis of the number of correct responses to reading comprehension. | Approximately 35 minutes |
| Listening Section | This section contains three lectures and two conversations. The duration of lectures range from 3 to 5 minutes and feature classroom discussions. Each lecture has 6 questions, and there are 5 questions per dialogue. Test takers are also allowed to take notes during the audio recordings to help in answering questions. | Approximately 36 minutes |
| Speaking Section | Test takers engage in speaking tasks designed to examine their ability to articulate ideas eloquently and effectively. There are four tasks in total, including one independent task and three integrated tasks (including reading/listening/speaking). The section evaluates delivery, language use, fluency and topic development. | Approximately 16 minutes |
| Writing Section | Two essays are to be written by test takers on the given specific topic. This section assesses the candidate’s capacity to express themselves clearly and effectively in writing, on any given topic, with precision, clarity, and coherence. The answers should be well-organized, well-developed, and demonstrate unity, progression, and coherence. The section assesses syntactic variety, appropriate word choice, and minor grammatical errors. | Approximately 30 minutes |
IELTS EXAM SYLLABUS
| IELTS EXAM SYLLABUS | ||
| Sections | Description | Duration |
| Reading section | There will be 3 lengthy texts taken from authentic sources such as magazines, journals, books, or newspapers. You need to answer 40 questions based on the texts. This section mainly tests your ability to skim the text & understand the crucial points and its essence. | Approximately 60 minutes |
| Listening Section | Four speeches by native speakers will be presented & you need to answer questions based on what you hear. Your ability to assess the main ideas is evaluated.
Section 1: An everyday social situation & conversation between two persons Section 2: A monologue on a simple, social subject Section 3: Conversation of four people in an academic environment Section 4: A monologue on an academic subject |
Approximately 60 minutes |
| Speaking Section | This section is recorded for assessment.
Part 1: General questions concerning yourself, your family, or personal interests. Part 2: General topic – You need to speak about a topic for 2 minutes. You will get 1 minute for preparation. Part 3: Speech-based questions – The examiner will ask a few questions after your speech. You can discuss more abstract issues and ideas. |
Approximately 11-14 minutes |
| Writing Section | There will be 2 tasks you need to write in formal tone.
Task 1 – Report writing. You will be given data, diagram, flow chart, or table showing some information and asked to explain or summaries it. You may be required to describe how something works, what are the stages of a process, or write how an event takes place. Task 2 – Essay writing. You need to draft an essay responding to an issue, argument, or viewpoint. |
Approximately 30 minutes |
IELTS or TOEFL Scores and Comparison
| TOEFL Scores and Remarks | |
| Section | Scores and remarks |
| Reading | Advanced (24–30)
High-Intermediate (18–23) Low-Intermediate (4–17) Below Low-Intermediate (0–3) |
| Listening | Advanced (22–30)
High-Intermediate (17–21) Low-Intermediate (9–16) Below Low-Intermediate (0–8) |
| Speaking | Advanced (25–30)
High-Intermediate (20–24) Low-Intermediate (16–19) Basic (10–15) Below Basic (0–9 |
| Writing | Advanced (24–30)
High-Intermediate (17–23) Low-Intermediate (13–16) Basic (7–12) Below Basic (0–6) |
| TOTAL | 120 |
| Good TOEFL score- 95+ | |
| IELTS Band Scores and Remarks | |
| Scores | Remarks/Skill level |
| 9 (Highest) | Expert |
| 8 | Very Good |
| 7 | Good |
| 6 | Competent user |
| 5 | Modest user |
| 4 | Limited user |
| 3 | Extremely limited user |
| 2 | Intermittent |
| 1 | Non-user |
| 0 | Test not attempted |
| Good IELTS score- 7.5 + | |
Which is More Accepted- TOEFL or IELTS?
While both the exams are equally relevant depending on the course and university requirements, IELTS exam is more widely and reliably accepted test in many universities in countries like UK, USA, Canada, Australia, France, Singapore and other countries whereas TOEFL is accepted in more number of countries than IELTS. IELTS scores are accepted for admissions and immigration in 140+ countries, while TOEFL is accepted in 160+ countries. It is to be noted that TOEFL is yet to be recognized by many foreign visa officials, whereas IELTS has been accepted in many countries for student visas. This is because of its popularity over the years, compared to TOEFL.
Which exam is better to appear depends on many factors such as the university your migrating to, the course you are opting, and your personal preferences. Personal preferences can be due to exam date convenience, location of test center’s as well as familiarity with the exam pattern.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting between the IELTS or TOEFL depends on your study destination, the requirements of your target universities, and your comfort with each exam’s format. IELTS might be more suitable if you prefer varied question types and are applying to institutions in the UK, Australia, or Canada, while TOEFL could be a better choice if you’re more comfortable with American English and plan to study in the United States.
Both exams assess your language skills effectively, so choose the one that aligns best with your strengths and future plans. By preparing well and understanding the exam format, you can achieve the score you need to open doors to exciting study opportunities abroad. With the right choice and preparation, you’re one step closer to making your study abroad dreams a reality.
If you wish to study abroad and want further assistance with that our international education experts at Gateway international who can help guide you throughout your study abroad journey & avail our wide range of services for students on destinations like Study in USA, study in UK, study in Singapore, study in Switzerland, study in Australia, study in New Zealand and many other countries.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is easier to pass IELTS or TOEFL?
There is no absolute “easier” test between IELTS or TOEFL despite what some people say. It depends mainly on what you’re looking for, your personal preference, and what certification your desired university accepts.
2. Do US universities prefer IELTS or TOEFL?
TOEFL is accepted by more than 11,500 universities and other organizations in over 160 countries. TOEFL is usually preferred by universities from the USA.
