TOEFL
(Test Of English as a Foreign Language) was developed by ETS
(Educational Testing Service), a private, non-profit institute
headquartered in the USA. IELTS (International English Language Testing
System) has been developed by the British Council, IDP Education
Australia, and Cambridge ESOL. Both are used worldwide by universities,
corporates and by immigration departments to assess the English
proficiency of non-native speakers of the language.
TOEFL
has more authorized test centres worldwide. The entire test, lasting 4 ½
hours, is taken in one sitting. Its computerized scoring leaves no
scope for inaccuracies. IELTS, which sticks by manual correction,
however, claims that its markers are highly trained and regularly go
through refresher courses, leaving little margin for error.
IELTS,
though has rapidly made strides in recognition among educational
institutions worldwide and government agencies. Originally confined to
the Commonwealth nations of the UK, Canada and Australia, it is now also
recognised by most American universities. Besides testing for academic
purposes, IELTS also offers test modules in General Training (reading
and writing), for people going to English-speaking nations for
immigration or to gain work experience.
Major Differences between the IELTS and the TOEFL
Reading
TOEFL
- You will have 3 - 5 reading selections of twenty minutes each.
Reading materials are academic in nature. Questions are multiple choice.
IELTS
- 3 reading selections of twenty minutes each. Materials are, as in the
case of the TOEFL, related to an academic setting. There are multiple
type questions (gap fill, matching, etc.)
Listening
TOEFL
- The listening selection very different from the IELTS. In the TOEFL,
you will have 40 - 60 minutes worth of listening selections from
lectures or campus conversations. Take notes and respond to multiple
choice questions.
IELTS
- The largest difference between the two exams is in listening. In the
IELTS exam there are a wider variety of question types, as well as
exercises of differing lengths. You will answer questions as you move
through the listening selection of the test.
Writing
TOEFL
- Two written tasks are required on the TOEFL and all writing is done
on the computer. Task one involves writing a five paragraph essay of 300
to 350 words. Note taking is important as the second task asks you to
take notes from a reading selection in a text book and then a lecture on
the same topic. You are then asked to respond using notes by writing a
150 - 225 word selection integrating both the reading and listening
selection.
IELTS
- The IELTS also has two tasks: the first a short essay of 200 - 250
words. The second IELTS writing task asks you to look at an infograhic
such as a graph or chart and summarize the information presented.
Speaking
TOEFL
- Once again the speaking section differs greatly between the TOEFL and
the IELTS exams. On the TOEFL you are asked to record responses on the
computer of 45 - 60 seconds to six different questions based on short
descriptions / conversations. The speaking section of the test lasts 20
minutes.
IELTS
- The IELTS speaking section lasts from 12 to 14 minutes and takes
place with an examiner, rather than a computer as on the TOEFL. There is
a short warm up exercise consisting mainly of small talk, followed by a
response to some sort of visual stimulus and, finally, a more extended
discussion on a related topic.
The table below shows comparisons between various test scores and level systems (TOEIC, TOEFL and IELTS).
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