TOEFL and IELTS are currently among the most important English exams in the world and are widely used for study abroad and immigration applications worldwide. TOEFL and IELTS both have their own unique test formats and scoring criteria, so many test takers struggle with which test to choose. This article will compare the content, difficulty, scoring criteria, and purpose of the test to help students make a more informed choice.
Click here to get your free IELTS course + IELTS learning Xi materials!Click to claim
There are some differences between TOEFL and IELTS in terms of test content. The TOEFL is mainly divided into four sections: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing, where speaking and writing are conducted on a computer, while Listening and Reading are multiple-choice questions. The test sections of IELTS are more diverse and include listening, reading, writing, and speaking, where listening and speaking are done face-to-face, and reading and writing are on paper. In addition, the IELTS Speaking test will have an interview where candidates are required to answer and discuss some given topics.
Both the TOEFL and IELTS tests are more realistic and academic, but candidates may need to adjust their preparation for the test due to the different test formats. The TOEFL Speaking and Writing test requires candidates to solve specific questions and present a personal opinion, while the IELTS Speaking test focuses more on communication and discussion with the examiner.
The difficulty of TOEFL and IELTS varies in different aspects. The TOEFL Reading and Listening sections are relatively difficult, with more complex questions that require a high level of English comprehension and analytical skills. The Speaking and Writing sections of the TOEFL are relatively easy, and test takers can prepare and practice Xi in advance to master some commonly used sentence patterns and expressions.
The difficulty of IELTS is relatively more average, the test content is closer to daily life, and the questions are relatively simple. However, the IELTS Speaking test may require candidates to have certain requirements for their presentation skills and thinking flexibility, and they need to be able to answer and discuss some topics in real time.
There are also differences in the scoring criteria for TOEFL and IELTS. The TOEFL score is based primarily on correctness and accuracy, including comprehension and analysis of listening and reading materials, speaking and written presentation skills, and use of grammar and vocabulary. The TOEFL scoring scale is relatively objective, and test takers can improve their scores by practicing Xi and mock tests.
The IELTS scoring scale focuses more on comprehensive ability, including comprehension and presentation of listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The scoring criteria for IELTS are relatively subjective, and candidates need to demonstrate their thinking skills and language fluency in the test in addition to having a certain foundation in English.
The TOEFL and IELTS tests are mainly used for study abroad and immigration applications. TOEFL is widely accepted in universities and colleges in North America, while IELTS is also widely used in places like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United Kingdom.
Depending on their study abroad and immigration goals, candidates can choose the test that suits them. If you're looking to study abroad in North America, TOEFL may be a better choiceIf you wish to study or migrate to other English-speaking countries, IELTS may be more suitable.