{"id":168,"date":"2018-07-08T00:36:24","date_gmt":"2018-07-08T00:36:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ischoolconnect.com\/blog\/?p=168"},"modified":"2025-06-10T15:19:12","modified_gmt":"2025-06-10T09:49:12","slug":"ielts-vs-toefl-which-is-better","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ischoolconnect.com\/blog\/ielts-vs-toefl-which-is-better\/","title":{"rendered":"Difference Between IELTS and TOEFL: Which One to Choose?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>When planning to study or work abroad, understanding the difference between IELTS and TOEFL is essential for choosing the right English language proficiency test. Both exams assess your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills but differ in format, scoring, acceptance, and test experience. Knowing these differences can help you select the test that best fits your goals, strengths, and the requirements of your target institutions.<\/p>\n<h2 id=\"top-differences-between-toefl-vs-ielts\"><b>Top Differences Between TOEFL vs IELTS<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">While both <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ischoolconnect.com\/exams\/toefl\/overview\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TOEFL<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ischoolconnect.com\/exams\/ielts\/overview\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IELTS<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> are designed to test your English language proficiency, they do so in different formats. Understanding the <\/span><b>difference between IELTS and TOEFL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is crucial when selecting the right test based on your university, country, and course preferences.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Many universities prefer one over the other depending on the study destination. To help you choose between <\/span><b>IELTS vs TOEFL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and figure out which is easier, we\u2019ve outlined a few key factors. Knowing the <\/span>difference between IELTS and TOEFL<span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you make an informed decision and boost your chances of admission.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">But before we compare these 2 exams, let\u2019s understand them better.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><strong>Also Read<\/strong>: <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ischoolconnect.com\/blog\/ielts-vs-toefl-vs-pte-which-english-test-is-better\/\"><span1 style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Difference Between IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE English Test<\/span1><\/a><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 500px;\" data-tf-widget=\"vtVG85l8\" data-tf-iframe-props=\"title=English proficiency Guide\" data-tf-medium=\"snippet\" data-tf-hidden=\"utm_source=ORGANIC_SEARCH,utm_medium=Blog,utm_campaign=xxxxx\"><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/embed.typeform.com\/next\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-ielts\"><b>What is IELTS?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>International English Language Testing System (IELTS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a widely accepted English language test for people whose first language is not English. It is used for study, work, and migration purposes. The test is developed by the <\/span><b>British Council<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><b>IDP: IELTS Australia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><b>Cambridge Assessment English<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ielts-test-structure\"><b>IELTS Test Structure<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Listening<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You will listen to recordings of native English speakers and answer related questions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reading<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You\u2019ll read different texts and answer questions to check your understanding.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Writing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You need to complete writing tasks like essays or reports based on given prompts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Speaking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You will have a face-to-face interview with an examiner and talk about different topics.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"what-is-toefl\"><b>What is TOEFL?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is another popular English proficiency test, conducted by <\/span><b>Educational Testing Service (ETS)<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is also used for admissions, work, and immigration in English-speaking countries.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"toefl-test-structure\"><b>TOEFL Test Structure<\/b><\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Reading<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You\u2019ll read academic passages and answer questions to test your comprehension.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Listening<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You\u2019ll listen to university lectures and conversations, then answer questions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Speaking<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You\u2019ll speak into a microphone to answer prompts and share your thoughts.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Writing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: You\u2019ll write essays based on reading or listening tasks, and express your ideas clearly.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"ielts-vs-toefl-test-format-comparison\"><b>IELTS vs TOEFL: Test Format Comparison<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both IELTS and TOEFL evaluate the four core English language skills \u2013 Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. However, their test formats vary in terms of duration, number of questions, and task types.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Skill<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>IELTS Academic<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>TOEFL iBT<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Listening<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">30 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>40 questions<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">41\u201357 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>28\u201339 questions<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Reading<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>40 questions<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">54\u201372 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>30\u201340 questions<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Writing<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>2 tasks<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">50 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>2 tasks<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Speaking<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">11\u201314 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>3 parts<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">17 minutes<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>4 tasks<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"ielts-reading-vs-toefl-reading-section-comparison\"><b>IELTS Reading vs TOEFL Reading: Section Comparison<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"ielts-reading\"><b>IELTS Reading:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IELTS Reading section has 3 passages with a total of 40 questions, divided into various types of tasks. You have 60 minutes to complete it. Question types include multiple-choice, matching information, diagram labeling, and true\/false\/not given. The number of questions per task may vary.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"toefl-reading\"><b>TOEFL Reading:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The TOEFL Reading section tests how well you understand academic materials. It includes 2 passages, each about 700 words, with 10 questions per passage. You get around 35 minutes to finish. The passages are excerpts from university textbooks on various topics.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 100%; height: 400px;\" data-tf-widget=\"OHTizbGU\" data-tf-iframe-props=\"title=How to learn English\" data-tf-medium=\"snippet\" data-tf-hidden=\"utm_source=ORGANIC_SEARCH,utm_medium=Blog,utm_campaign=xxxxx\"><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/\/embed.typeform.com\/next\/embed.js\"><\/script><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ielts-listening-section-vs-toefl-listening-section\"><b>IELTS Listening Section vs TOEFL Listening Section<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"ielts-listening\"><b>IELTS Listening:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">This section has 40 questions across 4 tasks, to be completed in 30 minutes. You listen to 4 recordings, played once, featuring different native English accents. Recordings include conversations or monologues. Questions include multiple-choice, matching, map or diagram labeling, and short answers.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"toefl-listening\"><b>TOEFL Listening:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The TOEFL Listening section includes 3 to 4 lectures (3\u20135 minutes each) and some classroom discussions. After each lecture, you answer 6 questions. There are also 2 to 3 daily-life conversations, each about 3 minutes long, followed by 5 questions.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"ielts-speaking-section-vs-toefl-speaking-section\"><b>IELTS Speaking Section vs TOEFL Speaking Section<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"ielts-speaking\"><b>IELTS Speaking:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IELTS Speaking test is a face-to-face interview lasting 11\u201314 minutes and consists of 3 tasks:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Task 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Personal introduction and interview (4\u20135 minutes).<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Task 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> You receive a topic card, get 1 minute to prepare, and speak for 1\u20132 minutes, followed by some questions.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Task 3:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> A deeper discussion related to Task 2 lasting 4\u20135 minutes.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Sometimes, the speaking test is scheduled on a different day.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"toefl-speaking\"><b>TOEFL Speaking:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TOEFL Speaking has 4 tasks:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 independent task to share your opinion with 30 seconds to prepare.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">3 integrated tasks based on reading and listening, with 1 minute to prepare each. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Total time is about 17 minutes. Responses are scored from 0-4 and converted to a 0-30 scale.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h2 id=\"ielts-writing-section-vs-toefl-writing-section\"><b>IELTS Writing Section vs TOEFL Writing Section<\/b><\/h2>\n<h3 id=\"ielts-writing\"><b>IELTS Writing:<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The IELTS Writing test has 2 tasks in 60 minutes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Task 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Describe visual information like graphs or charts in about 150 words.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Task 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Write an essay on a given topic, about 250 words, presenting an argument or discussion.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"toefl-writing\"><b>TOEFL Writing:<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> TOEFL Writing has 2 tasks in 50 minutes:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Task 1:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Integrated task based on reading and listening materials (20 minutes).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Task 2:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Independent essay supporting your opinion (30 minutes). <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Scores range from 0 to 5, later converted to a 0-30 scale.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 id=\"toefl-vs-ielts-score-comparison\"><b>TOEFL vs IELTS score comparison<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>IELTS:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Scores are given as band scores ranging from <\/span><b>0 to 9<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking), as well as an overall band score averaged from the four skills.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>TOEFL iBT:<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Scores range from <\/span><b>0 to 120<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in total, with each skill (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) scored between <\/span><b>0 and 30<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here is a score comparison highlighting the difference between IELTS and TOEFL band scores:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>IELTS Band Score<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>TOEFL iBT Score Range<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0 &#8211; 4<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0 &#8211; 31<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">4.5<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">32 &#8211; 34<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35 &#8211; 45<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.5<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">46 &#8211; 59<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6.0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60 &#8211; 78<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6.5<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">79 &#8211; 93<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7.0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">94 &#8211; 101<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"toefl-score-vs-ielts-score-university-acceptance\"><b>TOEFL score vs IELTS score: University Acceptance\u00a0<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Over <\/span><b>11,000 universities worldwide<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> accept either the IELTS or TOEFL exams as proof of English language proficiency.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>IELTS<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is commonly preferred by universities in the <\/span><b>UK<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and <\/span><b>Australia<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>TOEFL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is widely accepted by many universities in the <\/span><b>USA<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Different courses and degree levels at universities require specific minimum English test scores. The table below shows the average minimum IELTS and TOEFL iBT scores needed for each course level:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Degree Level<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Minimum Average IELTS Score<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>Minimum Average TOEFL iBT Score<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Foundation<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5.0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">35 &#8211; 45<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Undergraduate<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6.0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">60 &#8211; 78<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Postgraduate<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">7.0<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">94 &#8211; 101<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Understanding the <\/span><b>difference between IELTS and TOEFL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can help you choose the test that best fits your goals and strengths.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"difference-between-ielts-and-toefl-key-points\"><b>Difference Between IELTS and TOEFL: Key Points<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When deciding between IELTS and TOEFL, understanding the <\/span><b>difference between IELTS and TOEFL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is essential for choosing the right English proficiency test for your study or work plans abroad. Both tests evaluate your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills but differ in format, duration, scoring, and cost.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Here\u2019s a comparison table highlighting the main <\/span><b>difference between IELTS and TOEFL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to help you determine which test suits your needs best:<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Key Differences<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>IELTS<\/b><\/td>\n<td><b>TOEFL<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Conducting Body<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">British Council and IDP Education Ltd.<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Educational Testing Service (ETS)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Medium<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online and Offline<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Online only (Offline version discontinued)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Variants<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training, IELTS Indicator<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TOEFL iBT<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Test Duration<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">2 hours 45 minutes<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">1 hour 56 minutes (as per revised format)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Breaks<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">No breaks during Listening, Reading, and Writing; Speaking may be taken separately within a 7-day window<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">10-minute break between Listening and Speaking sections<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Test Sections<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Score Range<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0 to 9<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">0 to 120<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Average Minimum Score<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">6.3<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">78<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Exam Frequency<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">48 times per year<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">More than 50 times per year<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Results Timeline<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately 13 days after the test<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Approximately 10 days after the test<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Score Acceptance<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accepted by over 11,000 institutions globally<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Accepted by over 10,000 institutions globally<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td><b>Cost<\/b><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b917,000<\/span><\/td>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u20b916,900 (TOEFL iBT)<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<h2 id=\"toefl-vs-ielts-which-is-easier\"><b>TOEFL vs IELTS: Which Is Easier?<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">All the points discussed above should help you decide between IELTS and TOEFL. If you\u2019re still unsure, keep in mind that both exams cost roughly the same, so price shouldn\u2019t be the deciding factor. Instead, consider your strengths\u2014if you prefer academic reading, online interviews, multiple-choice questions, and typing rather than writing by hand, TOEFL might be a better fit. Otherwise, IELTS could be the easier option for you.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When it comes to the question of TOEFL vs IELTS which is easier, the answer is subjective and depends on your personal skills and preferences. Once you\u2019ve made your choice, find the right test prep course, create a study plan, and start preparing!<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"key-takeaways\"><b>Key Takeaways<\/b><\/h2>\n<ol>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The <\/span><b>difference between IELTS and TOEFL<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is in format and preference\u2014IELTS is widely accepted in the UK, Canada, and Australia; TOEFL is preferred in the USA.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IELTS includes handwritten tasks and a face-to-face interview, while TOEFL is fully computer-based with academic-style tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">When comparing <\/span><b>TOEFL vs IELTS, which is easier<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, it depends on your strengths. IELTS may suit those comfortable with handwritten tasks and personal interviews, while TOEFL is better for those who prefer computer-based, structured academic tasks.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">And in case you get stuck or need any kind of help, you can also <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ischoolconnect.com\/contact-us\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">reach out to us<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">! We\u2019d be happy to help!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Like this blog? Then read <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/ischoolconnect.com\/blog\/tips-on-how-to-prepare-for-toefl\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">5 useful tips on how to prepare for TOEFL with detailed study plans!<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"faqs\"><b>FAQs<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>Question 1. Are IELTS and TOEFL mandatory to answer?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Answer.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> These exams test your English proficiency and are usually required for admission to universities abroad. However, you only need to take one\u2014either IELTS or TOEFL.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question 2. How can I prepare for both exams?<\/b><\/p>\n<p><b>Answer.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Preparing for both IELTS and TOEFL isn\u2019t that difficult. All you have to do is practice the mock papers thoroughly and keep calm. If you want assistance for the same, get in touch with us today!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question 3. What are the sections to prepare for both exams?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer. <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Both IELTS and TOEFL assess four key skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question 4. Is IELTS harder than TOEFL?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> The difficulty level depends on the individual. Some may find IELTS harder due to its face-to-face speaking test, while others may find TOEFL more challenging because of its academic content and strict timing. It varies based on your personal strengths and comfort.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question 5. TOEFL vs IELTS which is more accepted for immigration purposes?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> IELTS is typically preferred for immigration in countries like Canada, Australia, and the UK. TOEFL is less commonly used for immigration but widely accepted for academic purposes.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Question 6. Which one is better, TOEFL or IELTS?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><b>Answer.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Both TOEFL and IELTS are widely accepted by universities worldwide. The better test for you depends on your strengths \u2014 if you prefer academic reading and online tests, TOEFL might suit you better. If you prefer face-to-face speaking and paper-based options, IELTS could be a better choice.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When planning to study or work abroad, understanding the difference between IELTS and TOEFL is essential for choosing the right English language proficiency test. Both exams assess your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills but differ in format, scoring, acceptance, and test experience. Knowing these differences can help you select the test that best fits [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":69,"featured_media":6319,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"categories":[1393,54,1394],"tags":[30,573,31],"class_list":["post-168","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ielts","category-test-preps","category-toefl","tag-ielts","tag-ielts-vs-toefl","tag-toefl"],"better_featured_image":{"id":6319,"alt_text":"difference between IELTS and TOEFL","caption":"","description":"A confused woman wondering \"IELTS vs TOEFL which is 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