TOEFL and IELTS are currently the two most widely-accepted tests to certify your English proficiency, required by foreign colleges/universities.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System).
Its compulsory for Indian students who wish to study abroad (and even for immigration to certain countries) at least for Indians as our state language is not English.
So for instance, Australia and UK colleges need IELTS, whereas in US, it depends on the college you’re applying.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
The ELTS test is designed to assess the language ability of candidates who need to study or work where English is the language of communication.
Administered by:
IELTS is jointly administered by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations (Cambridge ESOL)
Test Format:
There are four sub-tests, or modules, to the IELTS test: Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking. Students must sit all four sub-tests. While all students take the same Listening and Speaking tests, they sit different Reading and Writing tests, depending on whether they have selected the Academic Module or the General Training Module.
Website:
www.britishcouncil.org or http://www.ieltsindia.com/ or http://www.ielts.org/
Validity:
The score is valid for 2 years.
TOEFL (Test Of English as a Foreign Language)
TOEFL is a test of an individual’s ability to use and understand English in an academic setting. The test is designed and administered by Educational Testing Service (ETS), and TOEFL is a registered trademark of ETS.
TOEFL helps in testing your English abilities. It’s obvious that US universities would want to know your level of proficiency in English language, and if the standard of your English language is equal to or better than that used in the university.
The TOEFL is a very long examination (almost as long as 4.5-5 hours) and tests your English abilities in various fields. They are the reading, speaking, listening and writing sections. The writing and the speaking sections come at the second half of the TOEFL exam after the break. Let’s tackle it section-by-section:
READING:
This section is very normal and it as equivalent to reading a comprehension paragraph from.
LISTENING:
The listening section involves lectures, student conversations, discussion all in the American or in the British accent
SPEAKING:
This is the toughest section to score as one has to record the answers for 45 seconds to 1 minute for every question. You get 6 questions in total. Remember, there is preparation time given.
WRITING:
You have two questions to answer in this section:
1. Integrated writing
2. Essay writing:
TOEFL scores are valid for two years, after then they are no longer reported.
TOEFL was developed to address the problem of ensuring English language proficiency for non-native speakers wishing to study at U.S. universities. It has become an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities. Additionally, institutions such as government agencies, licensing bodies, businesses, or scholarship programs may require this test.
TOEFL vs IELTS: Differences
TOEFL vs IELTS will depend on several factors.
- TOEFL offers only academic English (required by universities and graduate schools). IELTS offers an academic option as well as a general test (which is much easier and used for immigration purposes to the UK and Canada).
- TOEFL test: Around 4 hours long. IELTS test: 2 hours and 45 minutes long
- Currently there are many more TOEFL test centres around the world, compared to IELTS test centres.
- Cost of the test is more or less same
TOEFL vs IELTS: Which is harder?
Are you comfortable with computers. YES/NO
Are you comfortable speaking extemporaneously into a microphone. YES/NO
Can you type quickly. YES/NO
Do you prefer standard American English. YES/NO
Are you good at answering multiple-choice questions. YES/NO
Is it easy for you to take notes from a recording. YES/NO
Are your English sources intended to inform rather than entertain. YES/NO
Answered YES to most of these questions, the TOEFL is probably the best fit for you?
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