International IELTS and TOEFL certificates test English language proficiency and are recognized by schools, employers and government organizations around the world, which distinguishes these certificates from state-issued certificates.
The main function of both tests is to give a formal assessment of the level of language proficiency, which is measured in points. That is why organizations around the world, whether universities or immigration services, set special requirements that regulate what score a particular exam should be passed. Thus, passing IELTS or TOEFL successfully means getting the desired score in order to further use this international certificate for the purposes of education, employment or emigration.
Let's take a closer look at the specifics of each exam.
General information about the IELTS exam
IELTS can only be taken at official IELTS reception centers. As a rule, there are only a few of them in large cities, for example,
there are two in Saint Petersburg. Such centers have the right to independently determine the dates of the exam, the cost, exam modules, and even the timing of registration for the exam. In practice, tests are held almost every Saturday, depending on the seasonal influx of candidates, and up to 80 people can take the exam at the same time.
As for the modules, there are two of them - general and academic. Depending on the purpose for which you are taking IELTS, the host organization should guide you which module you need.
The cost of the exam does not depend on the module, but may depend on the euro exchange rate. To date, the price varies from 14,000 rubles. up to 15 500 rub.
Pre-registration at the examination center is required. It is important that registration closes almost a month before the date of the exam itself.
A certificate listing your scores may be ready 14 days after the exam date, however, as a rule, the centers publish the results on their website on the night of 14 days after the exam date.
The exam is held in two stages. The first stage is the written part, which includes tasks for reading, listening, writing. The second stage is the oral part, in which the examiner interviews the candidate, following certain algorithms. This part of the exam may take place one week before or after the written part. Reception Centers notify candidates of the dates and venue of the oral part in writing by e-mail exactly one week before the written part.
General information about the TOEFL exam
TOEFL, as well as IELTS, is accepted only in accredited centers, which also independently determine the cost and timing of the exam.
There are several types of TOEFL exam: paper version (TOEFL PBT), computer version (TOEFL CBT) and online version (TOEFL iBT). It is the Internet version of the TOEFL exam that is currently accepted by organizations around the world and conducted by accredited centers. Thus, the exam is conducted entirely on a computer, including the oral part, using special software.
All computers are equipped with a microphone and headphones, answers, including essays, are entered from the keyboard. Before the exam, each candidate is provided with drafts and pencils, which can be useful for the “listening” part.
Exam results, as a rule, become known 10 days after the test - they come to the e-mail that you specified during registration. The certificate itself comes by mail, that is, a live letter.
Registration for the exam is possible through the official website ets.org, where the payment for the exam (255 USD) is made. In case of late registration, the cost of the test increases by $35. Registration closes 7 days before the test date.
IELTS and TOEFL: common features
The main similarity of the exams is directly related to the purpose of passing. Since these exams, in fact, are competitors to each other, the founding organizations of these exams are doing everything possible so that the maximum number of educational institutions, migration authorities, private companies accept certificates of their exam. As a result, today almost all institutions accept equally IELTS and TOEFL certificates.
Both exams test 4 aspects of the language: reading, listening, writing, speaking. At the same time, both IELTS and TOEFL test English language proficiency in terms of academic skills, that is, they measure how effectively a candidate uses English to solve daily tasks as part of studying abroad - from everyday issues to scientific topics.
IELTS and TOEFL: Differences
The differences between TOEFL and IELTS are mainly related to the peculiarities of the examinations and the specifics of the types of tasks.
Below is a comparison table of similarities and differences between toefl and ielts
| IELTS | TOEFL | |
|---|---|---|
| Reading | ||
| lead time | 60 minutes | 60-100 minutes |
| Volume of tasks | 3 texts of 2000-2200 words 40 questions | From 3 to 5 texts 2000-2200 words 12-14 questions for each text |
| Example job types |
|
|
| Entering answers | Immediately, in pencil on a special answer sheet | |
| listening | ||
| lead time | 4 episodes: 2 episodes on everyday topics, 2 episodes on academic topics | 4-6 lectures on scientific topics and 2-3 episodes on everyday topics |
| Job types |
|
|
| Entering answers | 10 minutes after completing the task, in pencil in a special answer sheet | As you solve tasks in the software using the mouse or keyboard |
| Letter | ||
| lead time | 60 minutes | 50 minutes |
| Volume of tasks | Technical writing - 150 words Composition - 250 words | Integrated writing - 150 words Essay - 300 words |
| Job types | Part I: description of the graph, scheme, map, where you do not need to express your own opinion Part II: an essay on socially significant topics, where the candidate must demonstrate general awareness and attitude to the topic under discussion |
Part II: an essay on socially significant topics, where the candidate must demonstrate general awareness and attitude towards the topic under discussion. |
| Entering answers | On a clean copy with a pencil or pen in a special form | In software using the keyboard |
| oral part | ||
| lead time | 11-15 minutes | 20 minutes |
| Volume of tasks | 3 tasks | 6 tasks |
| Task types and preparation time | Part I: Interviewing the Examiner for General Questions Related to the Candidate's Experience Without preparation Part II: monologue according to the plan (general topics) Preparation: 1 minute Part III: discussion on socially significant topics Without preparation |
Parts I and II: questions on general topics Preparation: 15 seconds Part III: integrated task for reading, listening and speaking on everyday topics Preparation: 30 seconds Part IV: integrated task for reading, listening and speaking on scientific topics Preparation: 30 seconds Part V: integrated listening task and oral skill on everyday topics Preparation: 20 seconds Part VI: Integrated listening task and oral skill on scientific topics Preparation: 20 seconds |
So, from the table it is obvious that the difference between toefl and ielts is to a greater extent that TOEFL tests skills in relation to each other, and IELTS, rather, separately.
It is difficult to say which of the exams is easier, IELTS or TOEFL - you need to prepare thoroughly and in advance for both exams. Definitely, only knowledge of the language is not enough, in order to pass the exam for the desired score - you need to clearly understand what kind of tasks you have to cope with, i.e. know the format of the exam.
Natalia Zykina
Head of the School of Foreign Languages
IQ Consultancy
In my personal opinion, passing TOEFL successfully is more difficult than IELTS. However, Toefl's materials are much more interesting, and the solution of questions is more amenable to general logic and common sense. In addition, there are purely linguistic questions in TOEFL, which are given quite easily if the level of the language is above average. For example, there are tasks where you need to find synonyms for a word in a text from these four options.
As for the technical side of TOEFL, I cannot say that such an organization of the test complicates or facilitates the solution of tasks. Yes, reading text from the screen without being able to underline keywords is inconvenient, but it is convenient to copy, paste and delete text when writing an essay. If the typing speed is fast, you can write a draft essay quite quickly and spend more time checking it.
As for IELTS, this exam is definitely less stressful, the form of the exam is close and understandable to Russian students. In addition, clear criteria for awarding points for all parts are known in advance, so the results can be predicted quite accurately.
In general, what is best for you, IELTS or TOEFL, you must decide for yourself, since no one else will be able to assess your personal characteristics related to motor skills, speed of perception of information, etc., which can both contribute and and make it difficult to complete tasks in IELTS and TOEFL formats.
Since American schools want to make sure that you know English at the proper level in order to study at an English-speaking university, almost everyone requires an English language test. TOEFL and IELTS are the two largest standardized English proficiency tests. One of the most common questions is which test is better or which one is easier to pass. The answer depends on what is easier for you. Let's try to compare these two tests in terms of structure and how they are evaluated.
What is the difference?
The IELTS test is administered by the British Consulate, the University of Cambridge and IELTS Australia. That is, this test is associated with the British government and is traditionally used by British universities, as well as universities in Australia and New Zealand. TOEFL is administered by ETS, an American non-profit organization, and is widely used by American and Canadian universities. In principle, now most universities around the world accept both TOEFL and IELTS results. Although it will never be superfluous to check with the requests of a particular university of interest to you.
TOEFL Structure
At this stage, almost everywhere TOEFL is taken in the Internet format (TOEFL iBT - Internet Based Testing). The test is taken in one day, lasts about 4 hours and consists of four sections:
1. Reading
In this section of the TOEFL, you need to read several university-level texts and answer questions about each of them. Questions are given with multiple-choice answers. The questions ask how you understood the text, the main idea, important details, vocabulary, rhetorical devices and style.
2. Listening
This section contains 2-3 dialogues of 3 minutes each and 4-6 lectures of 3-5 minutes. Situations in conversations are always related to university life, for example, a conversation in the library, a conversation with a teacher, a conversation with classmates, etc. An excerpt from a lecture can be on any topic - from astronomy to business. The questions test how well you understood the important details of the conversation/lecture, tone, vocabulary, conclusions. You can take notes during the test.
3. Speech
The conversation section lasts approximately 20 minutes and includes 6 questions. Two questions on general topics (independent Speaking tasks), where you need to talk or give an opinion about something, for example, about your hometown, your favorite teacher, or a recently read book. Four other tasks will be integrated speaking tasks, they may also ask for an opinion on a particular issue. Topics of conversation are again related to university life. You must speak into a microphone, the recorded response is sent to ETS and evaluated by six certified professionals.
4. Letter (Writing)
In this section, you need to write 2 tasks. The first is to summarize information from the text and the lecture (Integrated Writing task), after reading the text and listening to the lecture, one must describe what they read and heard. Often one text will contradict another, it will be necessary to compare and analyze conflicting information. The second task is an essay on a general topic (Independent Task). Texts are written on a computer and later sent to ETS for evaluation.
Structure of IELTS
IELTS consists of exactly the same 4 parts - reading, listening, speaking and writing, but the format of this exam is different. And he, unlike TOEFL, surrenders in 2 days.
1. Reading
In this section, 3 texts are given, which may be from academic textbooks, from magazines or newspapers - but they are all at the level of a university student. One of them will always be an opinion text, that is, a text advocating a particular point of view. The variety of tasks in IELTS is quite wide. One type of task is to connect headings with paragraphs of text, the other is to summarize a paragraph using words from the text. The tasks also include filling in a table, diagram or picture using words and information from the text, multiple-choice questions, connecting words and ideas from the text. One of the most difficult tasks is multiple statements and questions about whether these statements are true, not true, or they do not occur at all in the text. Some tasks are given before the text and may not require careful reading and understanding of all the details; those that are given after reading the text imply that you have read the entire text and understood it.
2. Listening
The IELTS test has four sections of listening. The first is a "transactional conversation" in which someone applies for something (driver's license, library card) or asks for information (for example, calling to find out more information about a hotel). The second section is an informative speech, for example, the speech of the dean explaining the rules of the university. The third part is a conversation in an academic context, and the fourth one is an academic lecture. Tasks may consist of a summary, filling in a table, diagram or picture, multiple choice questions, classifying information into different categories. Assignments will need to be done during listening, not after!
3. Letter (Writing)
There are two written assignments in IELTS. The first is a summary of the contents of the table or graph in 300 words. It will be necessary to identify important information, compare and contrast different numbers, or describe a process. The second task is to present an opinion on a fairly general topic, for example: "Women should look after children, not work" or "Too many people move to live in cities, and rural areas suffer from this."
4. Speech (Speaking)
The speech section is held on a separate day in the presence of an experienced interviewer, a native speaker. The questions are the same for all exam takers, but some parts may be more in the form of a conversation than a monologue. The first part is a short introductory conversation, followed by a few short general questions. The interviewer may ask for your name, what kind of work do you do, what kind of sports do you like, your daily routine, etc. For the second part, a card is provided with a topic and a few questions to raise on that topic. It will take 2 minutes to talk about this topic. The topic may be about everyday life, about the last visit to the cinema, about your favorite country, or a similar general topic. In the last part, the interviewer will ask a more abstract question on the same topic - why do people conduct their daily lives the way they do, why people like movies, how travel affects the lives of the local population, etc.
What's better?
Now you know about the structure of each of the tests, but still wondering which is better. It's time to look at the key differences between these tests.
British language or American?
Although in most cases both British and American universities accept both tests, and although British and American English are not as different as many people think, this point is still important. Remember - spelling matters, and many words are spelled differently in British and American versions. You may have trouble understanding British or American speech, and IELTS also sometimes includes other varieties - Australian, New Zealand, Scottish and Irish English. Some words are different and, without knowing the peculiarities of the British or American vocabulary, you may not even understand the question in the colloquial section (for example, gasoline - oil (Am.) and petroleum (Brit.) or truck - truck (Am.) and lorry ( Brit.)) Conclusion: If you find it easier with American English, take TOEFL, if with British - IELTS.
Abstract or concrete thinking?
In the Reading and Listening sections, TOEFL gives you multiple choice questions, while in IELTS you are expected to write down words from a text or word-for-word conversation. Multiple choice questions generally require better abstract thinking, while IELTS is more suitable for people with good memory and more concrete thinking. The advantage of multiple choice questions is that it is easy to find the right answer by eliminating the wrong ones; and the plus of writing down the answers is that the answer is in the text, you just need to find it and repeat it. Conclusion: For those who have an abstract mind, TOEFL is more suitable, and for those who have a specific mind, IELTS is more suitable.
Predictability or Diversity?
TOEFL is of course more predictable than IELTS. There are many different types of questions in IELTS and the instructions for each question are different. This makes it harder to prepare. The instructions for TOEFL are the same - choose A, B, C, D, or E. On the other hand, IELTS certainly keeps you on your toes and doesn't let you loose your guard during the exam. Conclusion: If you quickly lose focus doing similar tasks, take IELTS, but if it's easy for you to focus on one thing, then TOEFL is more suitable for you.
Talking to a person or a computer?
Another big difference between the exams is how the speaking part is done. Some people find it much easier to write down answers on a computer because no one seems to be listening. You talk as best you can and forget about it until you get grades. Someone may be nervous when talking with a native speaker, who also constantly makes some notes. It is easier for someone to simply answer questions than to enter into a dialogue with the native, risking not understanding what he is saying. On the other hand, some feel more comfortable talking to a person who can explain a misunderstood question. Some people find it easier to see a person's face in front of them when talking, rather than a computer screen. For some, the interviewer's advice may be important, because thanks to them, mistakes can be corrected during the test. Conclusion: If it’s easy for you to talk to people, and native speakers don’t bother you, take IELTS, but if it’s easier for you to take the exam alone and not feel that someone is evaluating you at that moment, TOEFL is more suitable for you.
Overall score or score for each criterion?
The speaking and writing sections of TOEFL are assessed with a total score. For example, in the writing section, the grader will give an overall grade based on essay quality, vocabulary, logic, style, and grammar. IELTS gives several grades based on individual criteria: grammar, vocabulary, fluency, logic, and several other criteria. In other words, if you write well but have a lot of small grammatical errors, your score in the TOEFL writing section can be quite good because graders will ignore small errors if the essay is written logically and in detail. Whereas IELTS will not overlook bad grammar. On the other hand, if you don't have problems with grammar and vocabulary but find it difficult to express your opinion in writing or organize an essay, TOEFL will give the writing section a poor score and IELTS will give you high marks in grammar and vocabulary. Although IELTS may seem much more difficult to pass because it scores for each item separately, in fact, you can get a very good result by being strong in just a few areas. For TOEFL, the ability to collect all the facts in a logical and detailed chain, to generalize and summarize, is important, and there attention is paid primarily to clarity, vocabulary and style. Conclusion: For those who do not know how to write an essay, but have a good vocabulary and knowledge of grammar, IELTS will be easier, for those who can structure spoken and written speech well, but suffer from grammar and lack of vocabulary, TOEFL will be better.
For work, study or personal development? And, like a knight at a crossroads, do not know which one to choose? Today we will take a closer look at two of the most popular exams among those who study English for work and study in English-speaking countries: TOEFL and IELTS.
We'll compare these exams, explain the key differences between them, and explain which exam you should choose to play to your strengths while hiding potential knowledge gaps from examiners (and who's perfect?).
So, you studied English - on your own, or with a tutor (perhaps). Now is the time to test your knowledge!
To study or work in an English-speaking country, you will almost certainly have to pass one of the two most recognized English proficiency tests, The International English Language Test System (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).
TOEFL or IELTS - which one to choose and what to base your choice on? In our article, we will present the main characteristics of these exams and the criteria for choosing the one that will best suit your goals and capabilities.
To begin with, both of these exams cost about the same ($150-$250) and pretty accurately determine your level of English. In addition, their results are accepted in thousands of educational institutions around the world. But IELTS and TOEFL are quite different in both approach and structure, so before you make a choice, weigh the pros and cons. And our article will help you decide on the selection criteria.
What is IELTS
IELTS is an English proficiency test that tests English proficiency in education, immigration and employment. Its results are accepted by more than 9000 higher educational institutions in 130 countries of the world. Conducted jointly by the British Council, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and IDP Education Australia, this exam is conducted in British English and is more likely to be suitable for institutions in the UK as well as countries of the British Commonwealth (including Australia and New Zealand). The exam exists in two versions - Academic (academic) and General (general), depending on your educational or professional goals.
In some cases, certification is required to obtain a Canadian or Australian immigrant visa.
What is TOEFL
The TOEFL test tests your ability to communicate in English in a research and educational setting (called Academic English). Its results are accepted in 8,500 educational institutions in 130 countries, including the UK, USA and Australia, as well as in the top 100 universities in the world.
Certification is conducted under the guidance of the American Education Testing Service, so the exam is conducted in American English.
Main differences
In addition to the fact that these exams are conducted in different versions of English (British and American), TOEFL requires a choice of answers from several options, while the IELTS answer format is much more diverse. Here are short answers (True, False, Not given - “true, false, unknown”), and substitution of the missing word, and writing short essays on a given topic.
Passing IELTS takes much less time - 2 hours 40 minutes versus 4 hours for TOEFL. But TOEFL is given in one day, and IELTS - in two (module "Oral speech" (Speaking) sold separately).
There is only one computerized version of the TOEFL exam, while IELTS has 2 versions (general and academic) available in paper format.
More on modules:
Reading
TOEFL- 3-5 reading passages, 20 minutes each. Reading materials on academic topics. The questions asked to the passages require the choice of an answer from several proposed options.
IELTS- 3 reading passages, 20 minutes each. Reading materials are also academic in focus. Questions require a different answer format (substituting the missing word, matching, etc.)
Listening
TOEFL- The excerpts offered for listening are quite noticeably different from those included in IELTS. TOEFL offers 40-60 minute segments ranging from lectures to campus talks. During the exam, you can take notes, and after it ends, you can answer questions, choosing from several options.
IELTS- The biggest difference between the two exams is in the “listening” module. The questions asked after listening have several different formats. You see the questions right from the start and can answer them as you progress through the test.
Letter
TOEFL- It is required to complete two written assignments (on the computer). The first task is to write an essay consisting of 5 paragraphs (from 300 to 350 words).
The second "integrated" task involves reading the text and listening to a lecture on the same topic, followed by their comparison. As you complete the assignment, you may take notes that you can use to write a 150-225 word summary.
IELTS- Also involves the implementation of two tasks. The first is writing a short essay of 200-250 words. The second is to describe the infographic (graph or chart).
Oral speech (Speaking)
TOEFL- You will have to listen to short text fragments or dialogues and orally answer 6 different questions to the passages you have listened to, recording your answers on the computer (the answer must be no shorter than 45 and no longer than 60 seconds).
IELTS- In the IELTS version, this module takes 12-14 minutes and involves face-to-face communication with the examiner.
The first preparatory exercise involves talking on general topics (a story about yourself, etc.) in the "question-answer" mode (this will take approximately 4-5 minutes).
The second exercise is longer and involves a story on a given topic (the topic itself and the theses of your future story are determined randomly). Your story should take 1-2 minutes, after which you will be asked one or two questions on the topic.
In the third part of the module, the examiner will ask more general questions. Your discussion will last 4-5 minutes.
Scoring
In TOEFL, the Speaking and Writing modules are graded based on the overall impression you make on the examiners: your vocabulary, writing style and grammar are assessed.
In these modules, IELTS assesses your logic, story coherence, grammar and fluency.
For example, an essay (essay) with a logical plot development, but numerous grammatical errors will be rated higher in the TOEFL, while an essay without grammatical errors and with more diverse vocabulary, but less clearly expressing the main idea, will receive a higher score in the IELTS framework. .
IELTS is evaluated on a nine-point system (from 1 to 9). At the same time, the final score is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the scores received in all four modules (in increments of half a point). In TOEFL, there is only one final grade (maximum 120 points).
Making a choice
Before making a choice between the two, answer the following 7 questions:
- Do the different formats of tasks and answers confuse you?
Let's take a closer look at the answers to these questions:
Do you need English to communicate in an academic environment?
If you do not need academic English (for studying at a university or working in a research institution), definitely choose the General IELTS option. This is the easiest of the exams (when compared to TOEFL and Academic IELTS).
If an exam is required to enter an educational institution or get a job, which test will be accepted at your institution of choice?
Be sure to specify which test is accepted at a particular university or company. In the US and Canada, this is usually TOEFL, in the countries of the British Commonwealth and Europe - IELTS.
Which version of English do you know better: British or American?
Are you a connoisseur of "royal English" or its Australian version? You are better off taking IELTS.
Are you more familiar with American English, its pronunciation, vocabulary and idioms? Choose TOEFL.
Are you a fast typist on your computer?
As you already understood, a fully computerized TOEFL requires you to "write" an essay in electronic form - you will have to type it on the keyboard.
Does the variety of task formats and responses confuse you?
It consists almost entirely of questions, the answers to which you choose from the options provided. And it is quite convenient for the examiners.
And if you have a hard time switching from one assignment format to another, IELTS, with its variety of formats, may not be for you.
Do you prefer a predictable test or a test that allows improvisation?
TOEFL is no doubt more predictable. IELTS, as they say, will not let you get bored: the tasks themselves and the instructions for them are different all the time, you will need to be constantly on the alert in order to correctly understand what is required of you. Also, for the same reason, TOEFL is easier to prepare for.
Are you more comfortable interacting with a computer or communicating with an examiner live?
A very large number of examinees find it easier to "communicate" with a computer than with a human examiner. It will be much easier for such people to pass the Speaking module of the TOEFL exam, where the oral answer must be recorded on a computer - after all, it creates the feeling that no one sees or hears you, and the fear of communicating with a native English speaker disappears.
And vice versa, for those who easily find mutual language with strangers who are not afraid to ask clarifying questions, IELTS is more suitable.
Whatever your choice, we hope you enjoy the test results! But for this you still have to work hard.
Therefore, without putting things off indefinitely, learn English - and be successful!
Many students and those wishing to leave to work in an English-speaking country are required to pass an English proficiency exam. However, there are many specific exam names, each with its own scoring system and different modules. The most popular exams in Russia are IELTS and TOEFL. Let's see what they are for, what they consist of and how they are rented.
How to take IELTS
For admission to a foreign university and migration, they often take the Cambridge exam IELTS - International English Language Testing System. Yes, IELTS belongs to the Cambridge exam series! But it has completely different assessment criteria, unlike other Cambridge exams for adults. The IELTS exam assesses language proficiency in four traditional areas: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Each aspect is evaluated separately and according to its own criteria, and then an overall assessment is derived, which is called band. The score ranges from 1 (the person does not speak the language at all) to 9 (CEFR level C2), and intermediate scores like 5.5, 6.5, etc. are possible. The exam lasts 2 hours and 45 minutes, with the Speaking part taken separately.IELTS is divided into two modules: academic And general. You will need an academic certificate to enter higher education institutions abroad and to confirm professional qualifications. Different universities have their own requirements for incoming foreign students, but on average the required minimum score varies from 5.5 to 7 (from B2 to C1 according to CEFR). The general module is taken by those wishing to migrate to an English-speaking country and by persons who go abroad to receive secondary education. The Listening and Speaking parts are the same for both modules, the key differences are in the Writing and Reading parts.
In part listening you will be asked to listen to four recordings: a general dialogue, a general monologue, a conversation between several people in an academic context (for example, a conversation between students and a teacher), and a monologue in an academic context (for example, a lecture). At the end of the listening session, you must answer the questions.
In part Speaking you will first introduce yourself and talk to the examiner about general topics (work, family, hobbies), then you will receive a question card on a specific topic and you will have to comment on it for two minutes (with the examiner asking you additional questions), and then Discuss with the examiner the broader and more abstract aspects of the proposed topic.
In total, Listening lasts 30 minutes, and Speaking - about 15 minutes.
In the academic module, the more complex parts of Reading and Writing. IN Reading the student is invited to answer 40 questions in 1 hour based on three large academic texts. Part Writing The academic module consists of two parts: in the first you have 20 minutes to describe the graph or diagram, and in the second you have 40 minutes to write an essay. It is important to note that the academic module assumes the use of a formal style.
There are 3 reading sections in the general module: in the first there are several small texts, in the second two, in the third one long text. As in the academic module, here you will be asked to answer a series of questions about the texts. Writing a general module also includes two tasks: a letter asking for information or explaining a situation, and an essay. The difference between the essays of the academic and general modules lies in the topics: in the academic module they are more serious.
How to pass TOEFL
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) exam has only one module - academic. This exam is most often taken exclusively for admission to foreign universities.Technically it has two versions: iBT (Internet Based Test) And Paper-delivered Test(as it has been called since June 2017). The difference is how the exam is taken: online or in writing. At the same time, the TOEFL system does not provide for written delivery where there is access to the Internet. In Russia, this exam is taken only online.
Just like IELTS, TOEFL iBT has four parts: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Only you will not speak with a live examiner, but with a computer. The test lasts 4.5 hours. In part Reading you will be offered 3-4 academic texts and questions to them. There is a nice bonus: a small glossary with explanations of keywords.
Part listening significantly longer than in IELTS: it lasts 60-90 minutes and includes 4-6 lectures and 2-3 dialogues. Writing includes two tasks: one so-called integrated, when you need to read or listen to a short fragment, and then write an essay based on it, and the second - independent where you have to express your opinion on a topic. Speaking lasts 20 minutes and consists of 6 tasks: two independent, where you speak on topics familiar to you, and 4 integrated, where you speak based on, again, the information you read or listened to.
Each part of the exam gives you 30 points, the total maximum possible score is 120 (corresponding to C2 level in CEFR). Universities usually set a minimum bar of 60 points, which corresponds to the B2 level.
TOEFL Paper-delivered Test consists of 3 parts, there is no Speaking in it and it lasts much less - only 2.5 hours. In the Reading part, you have to read 3 academic texts and answer 14 questions on each of them. There are 6 parts in Listening: 2 talks and 4 lectures. Writing completely repeats the TOEFL iBT version with the same division into integrated and independent.
Differences between IETLS and TOEFL
As you can see, IELTS and TOEFL are fundamentally different. You have to take IELTS in writing, and TOEFL - on a computer. The question of how it is more convenient and easier is rather controversial. Some people like to talk to a live examiner and are terrified at the prospect of sitting in a large office with a dozen of the same examiners, each of whom speaks into his own microphone. It seems to someone that a live examiner is the embodiment of a school-university nightmare, and he will definitely “blame”, and it’s easier to talk to a computer. Here to each his own.IELTS has two modules, TOEFL is purely academic. For high school or employment, it is easier to take the IELTS General. In addition, TOEFL iBT lasts an order of magnitude longer than IELTS Academic.
Preparation for both exams must begin in advance. If the level is confident, then six months or a year will be enough for you to familiarize yourself with the structure of the exam and work through all its parts. If the level is low, then training should begin 2 years in advance.
Many people think that IELTS is only valid in Europe, and TOEFL is only valid in the United States. This is not the case, both exams are accepted worldwide. If an exam is required for admission, check the requirements of your university: most accept the results of both exams. However, there is a slight catch with accents: IELTS, being a Cambridge exam, will focus on British English, while TOEFL offers different accents to listen to, not only American, as many believe, but also Australian and New Zealand.
In addition to different approaches to assessing language proficiency, there are significant differences in the types of tasks. In TOEFL, all questions have multiple-choice questions, and IELTS offers a variety of tasks, for each of which you need to carefully prepare. Since IELTS is taken in writing, in the Listening part you can immediately skim through the questions and highlight key words for yourself, but TOEFL is tricky in this regard: you first listen to the entire fragment, and only then the page with questions opens. If you're a slow typist, can't take notes quickly, and the constantly ticking timer on your screen annoys you, IELTS is the better choice.
On the other hand, TOEFL mixes different aspects within one part. As you can see from the description of the exam, the integrated tasks force you to respond to the information you read or listened to. In fact, this is much more useful than just answering questions, because the language is primarily used for communication, and in an academic context, you will have to work quite actively with controversial topics.
However, these exams are similar in one thing: you have to wait about 2-3 weeks for the result, and the certificate is valid for 2 years, after which, if necessary, you will have to take the exam again. If you want to have a perpetual certificate, it is better to take the Cambridge exams FCE (First Certificate, level B2), CAE (Advanced, level C1) and CPE (Proficiency, level C2). We will write about them in the next post.
Share your experience of preparing and passing IELTS and TOEFL in the comments!
TOEFL and IELTS are two of the most popular exams and are required to prove your level of English proficiency. To choose the right option, you should consider criteria such as the complexity of the exam, duration, demand for a certificate, mandatory fee, your level of English, etc.
In general, these exams are quite similar to each other and are intended for students of approximately the same level. These tests assess your Writing, Reading, Speaking and Listening skills. However, the structure, delivery time and many other features differ significantly from each other. That is what we are going to look at in this article today.
Students from all over the world take IELTS for the purpose of finding a prestigious job, migrating to another country, getting an education, etc. That is, this exam is intended for people who want to use English at the household level and in their main work (not related to teaching or complex scientific activities).
Today, you can take IELTS courses and take the exam at 9,000 institutes located in 130 countries around the world. The duration of the exam is usually 2 hours 45 minutes. To pass the test, you will need a mandatory contribution of $ 150-200.
The TOEFL exam is more intended for students who are engaged in scientific activities. The test tests your communication skills on academic and technical topics that are common in the teaching and research professions.
TOEFL can be taken at 8500 institutions located in 130 countries, including the Russian Federation. In Russia, this exam is not as popular as IELTS. However, in almost any major city in the country, you can always find IELTS and TOEFL English courses, as well as pass these exams.
The IELTS exam is somewhat shorter than the TOEFL. Moreover, in TOEFL, in most cases, it is proposed to answer tests and choose the correct answer from several options. Whereas IELTS tasks offer more varied questions (fill in gaps in sentences, complete text, etc.).
Preparation for the delivery of IELTS should take place with the teacher. Since in this exam you often enter into a dialogue with the examiner and partner. In addition, testing is carried out on a sheet. Whereas TOEFL is a fully computerized exam.
It is also worth noting that IELTS requires the student to understand English speech, as well as the ability to apply the acquired knowledge in practice. While when passing the TOEFL, it is necessary to include analytical thinking and compare the differences between the proposed answer options.
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Differences in Speaking
When you pass the IELTS Speaking module, you communicate directly with the teacher. Therefore, it is better to take the IELTS preparation course with a tutor. And when you pass the TOEFL, you record your answer on the microphone, which is then considered by 6 examiners.
Moreover, IELTS Speaking takes only 11-14 minutes and can be taken on a separate day. And TOEFL Speaking is given for 20 minutes and must be on the same day with other modules.
It is also worth noting that when passing IELTS, it is assumed that a student can have any accent. And TOEFL requires only an American accent in addition to classic English.
Differences in Reading
For study, both IELTS and TOEFLT preparation courses are suitable. Because the Reading module is quite similar and has minor differences.
The student is offered 3 short texts to read and memorize for 20 minutes. What follows is a series of questions. But if in TOEFL these are only test questions, then IELTS offers more diverse options for questions (insert a sentence, fill in a gap). Reading IELTS is more about your reading comprehension ability, while TOEFL is more about how well you remember what you read.
Differences in Writing
In TOEFL, the first task will be an essay of 300-350 words. Next, the student needs to write an answer of 150-225 words, based on the read passage of the text or lecture.
When passing IELTS, you need to explain the information you read, which is provided in the form of a graph, table or chart. The second task is to write a review (200-250 words) about the information read. It is necessary to express your position on the issue (objection, agreement or neutrality).
Differences in Listening
TOEFL Listening lasts about 40-60 minutes. Typically, the student listens to an excerpt from a lecture or debate. It is necessary to take notes while listening and then answer a series of test questions.
When taking the Listening IELTS module, the student can answer while listening to the text. The examinee is offered various questions in which he should fill in a gap, add a sentence, or complete a whole paragraph based on the information he heard.
