• IELTS

Difference between IELTS and TOEFL

1867 Reads
3 min Read

By:CANAM Group
Updated On:Jan 30,2024 12:37 PM IST

Explore the choice between IELTS and TOEFL for studying abroad. Both exams are widely recognized, but IELTS is favored by international students. The blog highlights differences in recognition, sections, and structure and more. By examining these factors, the blog aims to guide students in making informed decisions to realize their dream of studying abroad.

A decision to choose a right English Proficiency exam can make one’s dream come true to study abroad. IELTS and TOEFL both are the popular exams among aspirants worldwide. Both the exams are recognized by several different top ranked foreign universities in Canada, Australia, United states of America, United Kingdom, New Zealand and many more countries. But the popularity of the IELTS is more than TOEFL among the international students. There are specific reasons behind the worldwide popularity of IELTS.

This blog will explain the difference between IELTS and TOEFL in terms of recognition, sections, structure, how to prepare for IELTS or TOEFL, and which is a better option for students.

Overview of IELTS and TOEFL

International English Language Test System (IELTS) is one of the famous study abroad exams among the international students. It has two types of test such IELTS academic for academic purposes and IELTS general for everyday context. It includes four sections which are speaking, listening, reading, and writing considering band scores from 0-9. It is widely recognized by more than 11,500 organizations in 140 countries. It includes universities, migration agencies, and government organizations. IELTS has more than 4000 test centers globally.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is yet another widely accepted international standardized test. It also has two types such as TOEFL iBT for study, work, and immigration and TOEFL iBT for writing and understanding. It has four sections which speaking, reading, writing and listening considering score from 0-120. It is recognized by more than 11000 colleges and universities in 160 countries. It has more than 1000 test centers globally.

Format of IELTS and TOEFL

Starting with the format of IELTS academic and TOEFL iBT, both has four section of test with different duration and scoring. Below table includes the basic format of IELTS and TOEFL.

	IELTS Academic	TOEFL iBT
Mode of Test	Computer based (online) and offline	Computer based and pen paper based
Duration	Under 3 hours	Under two hours
Scores	Band scores (0-9)	Scores (0-120)
Marking System	Machine marking and human examiner	Machine marking and human examiner
Structure	Speaking, writing, reading and listening	Speaking, writing, reading and listening
Recognized by	11,500 organizations	11,000 organizations
Result Declaration	3-13 Days	4-13 days

IELTS and TOEFL speaking section

In speaking section of IELTS, a candidate speaks to the examiner either face-to-face or on a virtual call and answers are marked by an examiner. The duration of the speaking test is 11-15 minutes in which a candidate introduces herself/himself and talks about a given topic by examiner.

On the other hand, in TOEFL, a candidate speaks to the examiner on a virtual call only and answers are marked by a combination of Ai and human examiner. The duration of speaking test is 17 minutes in which a candidate speaks about a familiar topic on the basis of reading and listening.

IELTS and TOEFL writing section

In writing section of IELTS, a candidate has to complete two tasks. In task one, he/she writes 150 words in 20 minutes by revaluating information from chart, graph, and table. In task two, the candidate writes 250 words in 40 minutes on a view of point, solution and problem.

On the other hand, in TOEFL, the writing section is a bit difficult. It also has tasks. In the first task, a candidate has to write after reading a short passage and listening to a lecture. Then, the candidate has to write on the response based on the reading and listening. Second task is an essay writing section wherein a candidate writes based on an online classroom discussion. The duration of the tasks are 50 minutes.

IELTS and TOEFL reading section

In the reading section of IELTS, a candidate has to read three passages of 2,150-2750 words in 60 minutes and answer on the basis of reading. But in reading section of TOEFL, there are 3-4 passages from academic texts. The duration of the test is 50-70 minutes.

IELTS and TOEFL listening section

In both exams, the listening section has special significance. There is a myth that IELTS is for British English and TOEFL is for USA. But both the exams include different accents like North America, New Zealand, British, Australia.

In IELTS, there are four parts in which first and second part is for social context listening. In third and fourth part, it is for academic and training context. The second and forth part of test section is more than listening to an only person. On the other hand, TOEFL, consists of two types of listening task where candidate listens to two conversations of two speakers and three lectures from which the candidate will be asked to answer the questions.

IELTS and TOEFL score comparison

The scoring of IELTS and TOEFL are assessed on different scale. In IELTS, the scores are assessed on a band scale ranging from 0 to 9. But, in TOEFL, the score ranges from 0 to 120. To get admission in different top ranked universities in different degree levels upon the students’ scores in study abroad exam. Below table shows the requirement of scores according to student’s academic. To get good scores, how to prepare for IELTS plays an important role to study abroad.

IELTS & TOEFL score comparison.webp

Degree level	IELTS	TOEFL
Foundation	5	35-45
Under-graduation	6	60-78
Post-graduation	7	94-101

Conclusion

IELTS and TOEFL, both have some similarities like structure, purpose, and differences like scores scales, popularities, tasks. But, in both exams, it is important to practice basic grammar, reading skills, listening to podcast, re-writing passages, reviewing mistakes, and English audio books. The most important thing is to understand exam strategies. To get the best coaching from the experts, Canamprep is here to make one’s dream to study abroad come true.

FAQ

Which is better IELTS or TOEFL?

To learn language as a non-native speaker, TOEFL is not enough to have a hold on language. IELTS is better than TOEFL in terms of learning and gaining knowledge.

Does UK prefer IELTS or TOEFL?

IELTS is accepted by different universities in Canada, UK, Australia, and Ireland, South Africa whereas TOEFL is accepted by educational institutes in US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Germany.

Which exam is difficult IELTS or TOEFL?

The difficulty level of both the exams depends upon candidate’s capabilities. It is important to practice basic grammar, reading skills, listening to podcast, re-writing passages, reviewing mistakes, and English audio books.

How do I prepare myself for IELTS?

Yes, a hardworking candidate can score good by study self. If he/she is practicing, reviewing candidate’s mistakes, giving mocks, working on speaking, reading, listening, and writing skills.

What are the best tips to prepare for TOEFL?

To get good scores in TOEFL, it is important to know best tips strategies for TOEFL preparation. Through Canamprep, students can achieve their desired scores.

Get great articles direct to your inbox

The latest news, articles, and resources, sent straight to your inbox every month.

Popular Universities to Study Abroad

World class education waiting for you.

Fanshawe College - Woodstock-Oxford (Regional Campus)

Ontario, Canada • 12 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 14500-30000 / year

Humber Polytechnic - North Campus

Ontario, Canada • 114 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 12000-29000 / year

Columbia College

British Columbia, Canada • 16 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 14000-18000 / year

St. Clair College - Windsor Campus

Ontario, Canada • 43 Programmes

Tuition Fee : CAD 15500-21000 / year

Kaplan Group - University of Connecticut - Stamford Campus

Connecticut, USA • 20 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 37000-38000 / year

Kaplan Group - Massey University - Auckland Campus

Auckland, New Zealand • 107 Programmes

Tuition Fee : NZD 24600-97830 / year

Shorelight Group - University of Redlands

California, USA • 56 Programmes

Tuition Fee : USD 61000-62000 / year

SRH Universities - Heidelberg Campus

Baden-Wurttemberg, Germany • 16 Programmes

Tuition Fee : EUR 9312-9312 / year

View All Universities

Latest at CANAM

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

UNDERGRADUATE STUDY: DEGREES, PATHWAYS, DIPLOMAS - RIGHT OPTIONS FOR YOUR PROFILE

Study in Canada • Webinar

11:30AM

Virtual Event

University Visit - Assiniboine College

Study in Canada • University Visit

Ahmedabad • 02:30PM

In-Person Event

University Visits - Vancouver Community College

Study in Canada • University Visit

Amritsar • 01:00PM

In-Person Event

Top countries destinations

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland
Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland
Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales
Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria
Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia
Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland
La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria
LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland
Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland
Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland
Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay
Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland
Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland
Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland
New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland
The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

Kent state university Ohio
San Jose State University California
Wright State University Ohio
Clark University Massachusetts
Rowan University New Jersey
Arkansas State University Arkansas
University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois
University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online

- Live Classes

Blogs and Articles

Curated content to keep you updated on the latest education trends, news and more.

Accommodation in France for Indian and International Students

France is a dreamy country that's always in the news for its aesthetic cafes in Lyon, Seine in Paris and skiing in the French Alps. But beyond its all...

Updated on • Feb 14,2025 11:33 AM IST • France

Public Relations (PR) Courses in Australia

Recently, Australia has become a widely popular choice for international students. There is not a single reason for this popularity, but Australia off...

Updated on • Feb 07,2025 11:03 AM IST • Australia

Job Opportunities in France for International Students

Imagine yourself strolling down the Champs-Elysees with a steaming croissant in one hand and a freshly minted job offer in the other. It must sound li...

Updated on • Feb 06,2025 12:47 PM IST • France

Pros & Cons of Studying in France

Every country has a bright side and a dark side, and if you think that studying in France is going to be all rainbows and sunshine, it’s not. Like e...

Updated on • Feb 04,2025 05:49 PM IST • France

MS in Data Science in Germany

Deutschland is an emerging study-abroad destination attracting students from every part of the world. The reasons for this are affordable education, l...

Updated on • Feb 04,2025 12:29 PM IST • Germany

February Intake in Australia: Timeline, Courses, Universities, Deadlines & More

Students who desire to study in Australia should consider the February 2025 intake, which is known as the primary intake in Australia for admission, t...

Updated on • Feb 01,2025 04:57 PM IST • Australia

What is the difference between CV and Resume?

What is the difference between a CV and a resume? The question might sound simple, but it is important to answer. Both documents consist of informatio...

Updated on • Jan 31,2025 05:27 PM IST • Study Abroad Guidance

Cookery Courses in New Zealand for International Students

Is food something that interests you? Can you not resist the aroma of delicious delicacies? Are you passionate about food? If the answer to all the qu...

Updated on • Jan 29,2025 12:27 PM IST • New Zealand

High Paying Jobs in Germany

Germany, a powerhouse of innovation and industry, offers a fantastic job market with excellent salaries and a strong work-life balance. Whether you're...

Updated on • Jan 25,2025 05:52 PM IST • Study in Canada

WES in Canada

World Education Services (WES), is an organization designed to help individuals get their educational credentials evaluated to let them study in Canad...

Updated on • Jan 24,2025 10:50 AM IST • Study in Canada

Canada Student Visa Interview Questions

The perfect ending to any day, race, task, or project is to FINISH STRONG. The same is true for studying in Canada. To finish strong, one needs to cra...

Updated on • Jan 23,2025 12:16 PM IST • Study in Canada

Masters in Management in USA

Looking for a transformative experience that hones your managerial skills and unlocks a treasure of global job opportunities? BINGO! Here's a golden g...

Updated on • Jan 21,2025 05:46 PM IST • USA

Things to Keep in Mind Before Studying Abroad

Studying abroad is a life-altering experience, and you probably already know that, but are you prepared to live on your own, that too in a f...

Updated on • Jan 21,2025 05:21 PM IST • Study Abroad

IELTS Exam Dates 2025 in India

IELTS (The International English Language Testing System) is a forum to assess the English language ability of a candidate to study abroad across the ...

Updated on • Jan 18,2025 05:13 PM IST • IELTS

USA Study Visa Process

Once you get the offer letter from your dream American university the only thing left to do is to apply for a study visa. The F-1 study visa is the mo...

Updated on • Jan 16,2025 03:32 PM IST • USA

PTE Exam Centers in India 2025: Check City Wise PTE Exam Centers

Pearson Test of English or PTE is conducted all over India at various exam centers. There are 62 PTE exam centers in India, and candidates can also ta...

Updated on • Jan 16,2025 03:12 PM IST • PTE

May Intake in Canada 2025

What is May Intake in Canada 2025?Canada May Intake is considered the third most popular study intake in Canada after the September and January...

Updated on • Jan 15,2025 04:40 PM IST • Study in Canada

IELTS Reading Practice Tests 2025: Reading Passage and Sample Questions

The IELTS or International English Language Testing System exam consists of four modules – Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. The IELTS Readi...

Updated on • Jan 15,2025 04:14 PM IST • IELTS

IELTS Letter Writing Topics 2025

There is a 60-minute time limit for the IELTS Writing test, with 20 minutes allotted for Task 1 and 40 minutes for Task 2. IELTS General Writing Task ...

Updated on • Jan 15,2025 04:12 PM IST • IELTS

Summer Intake in Germany 2025

Germany is located in Central Europe and is known for its rich culture, history, strong economy, and high standard of living. Its diverse population h...

Updated on • Jan 14,2025 05:49 PM IST • Study in Germany

Difference between IELTS and TOEFL

Table of Contents

Overview of IELTS and TOEFL

Format of IELTS and TOEFL

IELTS and TOEFL speaking section

IELTS and TOEFL writing section

IELTS and TOEFL reading section

IELTS and TOEFL listening section

IELTS and TOEFL score comparison

Conclusion

FAQ

Events, webinar, college / university visits and more.

Popular university and colleges for Studying abroad.

Bond University Queensland

Central Queensland University - Rockhampton, North Campus Queensland

Charles Sturt University - Wagga Wagga Campus New South Wales

Deakin University - Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus Victoria

Engineering Institute of Technology - Perth campus Western Australia

Griffith University - Nathan Campus Queensland

La Trobe University - Bendigo Campus Victoria

LCI Melbourne - Art & Design School Victoria

University Canada West British Columbia

University of Windsor Ontario

Dalhousie University Nova Scotia

Carleton University Ontario

Cape Breton University Nova Scotia

University of ottawa Ontario

University of saskatchewan Saskatchewan

University of regina Saskatchewan

University of guelph Ontario

Ara Institute of Canterbury - City Campus Southland

Aspire 2 International - Auckland Campus Auckland

Auckland University of Technology - City Campus Auckland

Eastern Institute of Technology - Hawke Bay Campus Hawke's Bay

Manukau Institute of Technology -Manukau Campus Auckland

Massey University - Auckland Campus Auckland

Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology (NMIT) - Nelson Campus Southland

New Zealand Institute of Business & Technology (NZIBT) Auckland

The University of Waikato - Hamilton Campus Hamilton

University of Warwick England

De Montfort University England

University of West London England

University of Strathclyde Scotland

Aston University England

University of Bath England

University of Liverpool England

Durham University England

Newcastle University England

Kent state university Ohio

San Jose State University California

Wright State University Ohio

Clark University Massachusetts

Rowan University New Jersey

Arkansas State University Arkansas

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee Wisconsin

Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Illinois

University of Findlay Ohio

Popular English Language Proficiency Exams

IELTS Online