TOEFL and IELTS both are widely taken examinations to determine whether is TOEFL easier than IELTS. Or IELTS is easier than TOEFL. There are certain differences listed down below that might provide some clarity.
TOEFL VS IELTS DIFFERENCES
COST
Appearing for these exams is fairly expensive. Despite both these exams costing almost the same, USD 200 to USD 250, it also depends on the country from where you are appearing for these exams.
SCORE
Their scoring systems are slightly different. While in IELTS the score band is from 0-9, in TOEFL the score band ranges from 0-120. The validity of both scores is up to two years.
Also, TOEFL is a single test with an overall score of 120. But, in IELTS, an average is taken on a scale of 10 by combining individual scores of all four tests
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The exam format is somewhat similar for both papers, but the TOEFL test has more multiple-choice questions than IELTS, which includes more essay and short answer-type questions. For some people, this might make the TOEFL test easier than IELTS.
Speaking Section
In TOEFL, like the rest of the paper, the speaking examination will be recorded and sent for further evaluation, but in IELTS, this takes place face to face with the interviewer. Furthermore, in IELTS, you will have the option of appearing for the speaking assessment before the exams, but there is no such option in TOEFL.
Reading Section
In TOEFL, you will have three to five questions to be answered at an estimated time of 20 minutes. In IELTS, you will have exactly three questions, but the format might be different every year. It could be to fill up the blanks, give short answers, or do anything unique.
Listening section
In the IELTS exam, students answer while listening to the recording, which is comparatively easier than making mental notes like in the TOEFL, where students hear classroom lectures that they must take notes on to further attempt the questions.
AVAILABILITY
TOEFL is more widely available, geographically speaking, as it can be taken in about 4500 locations, which is a lot more than IELTS. IELTS can be taken in about 1600 locations which are relatively less.
FREQUENCY OF EXAMINATION
The frequency of the examination also makes a lot of difference, as TOEFL is conducted a lot more often than IELTS. TOEFL has scheduled 60 dates every year, whereas IELTS only has 48 slots.
YOUR COLLEGE PREFERENCE
Most colleges accept the scores of both exams, but consensus has shown that US-based colleges prefer TOEFL over IELTS. In contrast, IELTS is accepted more widely across other colleges outside the US.
The format and pattern of the two exams are slightly different in the following ways.
MULTIPLE CHOICE vs SHORT ANSWER
IELTS does not offer as many multiple-choice questions as TOEFL. For most of the questions in TOEFL, the answer is already in front of you, and you simply have to choose. If you feel more comfortable with coming up with your answers, then IELTS may be the way to go.
COMPUTER BASED vs PAPER BASED
Both IELTS and TOEFL are paper-based and computer-based but it has been noticed that people have mostly appeared for TOEFL on computers. Some question in IELTS asks the students to write which requires good handwriting and writing speed.
READING SECTION
IELTS’s reading examination is considered easier than TOEFL’s. TOEFL only takes passages from academic writing and thus requires more in-depth knowledge and a critical eye, whereas IELTS’ reading section is considered comparatively easier as it makes use of extracts taken from magazine and newspaper articles alongside academic writing.
SPEAKING SECTION
The speaking section of the tests is where the differences seem to weigh in. In IELTS, one has to speak to another person, an interviewer, whereas in TOEFL, since the entire exam is computer-based, the speaking section is also tested by a computer on a recorded basis.
Additionally, in IELTS, people have the option of giving the speaking section test a week in advance, whereas in TOEFL, the entire test is taken in one go.
ESSAY LENGTH
The essay length of both exams might make a difference in your choice. In IELTS, you will have to write an essay of 400 words in 60 minutes, whereas, in TOEFL, you will be required to write 500 words in under 50 minutes
DELIVERED ORDERS
EXPERTS
CLIENT RATING
WHICH ONE TO PREFER: TOEFL vs IELTS
One can choose either of these two papers by keeping in mind the major differences that arise in terms of the speaking examination, availability, frequency, and acceptance of these scores in their chosen college or university.
The answer to “IELTS vs TOEFL which is easier?” depends solely on subjective preferences and capabilities
