TOEFL VS IELTS: What Is The Difference & Which Is Better?

Written by Rachit Agrawal, MBA

Published on Fri, August 30, 2019 1:36 PM • Updated on Tue, May 17, 2022 1:57 PM • 8 mins read

When it comes to English Proficiency Test, we need to see which is better TOEFL or IELTS. TOEFL and IELTS are the two most important tests students take if they wish to study abroad. Both of these are English Proficiency Test and students may take any one of the two.

While preparing for abroad universities these two exams are of primary importance. A number of questions may arise for TOEFL and IELTS like which one is easier to score? Which one is accepted more and a lot more? Let us take a look at all these answers.

FIELD OF COMPARISON	TOEFL	IELTS
Countries/ Continents	150 countries, including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the U.K., the United States, Europe and Asia.	UK, US, Ireland, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Field of Judgement	Writing, Listening, Reading, Speaking	Writing, Listening, Reading, Speaking
Universities Covered	More than 10,000 universities	Around 9000 universities
Accents	British, Australian, American	British, Canadian, American, Kiwi, and Australian
Score division	0-120 Points	0-9
Average score(INDIA)	90	6.04
Time Duration	4 hours	2 hours 40 mins
Time Division (Based on Sections)	Reading- 60-80 mins Listening- 60-90 mins Speaking- 20 mins Writing- 50 mins	Reading- 60 mins Listening- 30 mins Speaking- 11-14 mins Writing- 60 mins
Number of Trials	Infinite (With a break of 12 days between each test)	Infinite
Type of Test	Online	OMR based
Gap between Exams	10 mins between listening and speaking tests	A week between Speaking and other tests
Fee	US$180(12,753.27 INR)	US$16.02(1130 INR)

Table of Contents

TOEFL vs IELTS – Which is Accepted More?

TOEFL is more acceptable in America, while IELTS is more common in the UK. Although, most of the universities accept both of them nowadays. Students need to check the university they want to apply to accept which scores, TOEFL or IELTS and according to that take any one of them.

In IELTS, candidates need to give short answers while in TOEFL there are MCQs hence candidates need to recognize in which one of the two they’re better in. Currently, both the tests are of equal importance to all the universities, yet many of them need to consider the possibilities of choosing anyone.

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TOEFL V/S IELTS Difficulty

The answer to this question depends upon the candidate of what they’re comfortable. If the candidates are comfortable with computers, speaking in a microphone, type quickly, good at answering MCQs, an expert at taking notes from recordings, and prefer standard American English must take TOEFL.

If the candidates are comfortable having interviews in person, have good handwriting, understand various dialects of English, prefer different types of questions like MCQs, fill in the blanks, statistical questions, must take the IELTS exam. With more practice, candidates can pursue both or either of the exams with good scores. They can take the help of books, online courses, and coaching classes.

IELTS – All you need to know

TOEFL V/S IELTS Score

The score division of TOEFL ranges between 0 – 120 points and in IELTS it ranges between 0 – 9. The average score of TOEFL in India is 90 and for IELTS it is 6.04. The foreign universities usually accept scores of IELTS from 6.5 to 7 and TOEFL online test from 79 – 90.

Each section of TOEFL is divided into 30 points and it has 4 sections (reading, writing, listening, speaking). In IELTS each section is receiving 4 separate bands on a scale of 0 – 9 and its average score is the final score (4 sections – Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking).

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TOEFL V/S IELTS Score Comparison

The scores of IELTS and TOEFL are on two different scales. These scores can be compared on basic conversion charts. Let us look at the conversion chart

TOEFL	IELTS
118-120	9
115-117	8.5
110-114	8
102-109	7.5
94-101	7
79-93	6.5
60-78	6
46-59	5.5
35-45	5
32-34	4.5
0-31	0-4

These scores are the total scores of the 4 subjects. Similarly, the section – wise scores can be compared for IELTS and TOEFL. This section is average scores for reading, it is different for writing, listening, and speaking sections.

TOEFL	IELTS
30	9
29	8.5
29	8
27-28	7.5
24-26	7
19-23	6.5
13-18	6
8-12	5.5
4-7	5
3	4.5
0-2	0-4

TOEFL V/S IELTS Academic

TOEFL and IELTS test can be given by the candidates numerous times in a year. This gives them an opportunity to improve their score for their application to any foreign university. The validity of IELTS scores is for 2 years from the date of the exam and it expires after the second attempt.

In the case of TOEFL, a student can give the exam for more than 50 times in a year with specific dates and locations. Students who aim to go to abroad universities give their best for any of the one exams according to their preference and university chose.

IELTS Results and Scores

Which is better TOEFL or IELTS?

TOEFL test is for those who are non – native English speakers and it is used as an entrance exam for universities whereas IELTS is more difficult than TOEFL and it is more reliable if you want to study at any level higher than secondary school. IELTS gives students questions related to the real-world and in TOEFL it is mostly MCQs.

In IELTS format there isn’t a section for listening in the integrated assignments and ask independent questions asking your opinion on some issue. In TOEFL speaking test, your voice is recorded and it involves you explaining your opinion on a particular issue and taking the support of facts for the same while in IELTS, the speaking test happens in person wherein you have to give a short speech. Overall if we see IELTS gives the student a wholesome real-world experience while TOEFL gives the student a more technical experience of English as a subject.

Is TOEFL Harder Than IELTS?

It is seen that TOEFL is a bit easier than IELTS. Student reviews say that TOEFL has proven to be easy for them because of choice questions and recorded listening tests. On the other hand IELTS have physical interviews which can be difficult for few candidates. Nevertheless, both the exams depend on number of factors and criteria.

Is TOEFL Easier Than IELTS?

If the candidates are comfortable having interviews in person, have good handwriting, understand various dialects of English, prefer different types of questions like MCQs, fill in the blanks, statistical questions, must take the IELTS exam. The students need to understand that both the tests are not hard, it depends on them which one of the two can they score easily. Mostly it is seen that IELTS is harder than TOEFL as MCQs are more scoring than short answers.

FAQ

✅ How often can I give TOEFL in a year?

Ans. It can be given more than 50 times a year with specific dates and locations.

✅ How can I apply for both?

Ans. You can visit their official website, and you can apply through the mails or calls.

✅ Can I retake the test?

Ans. Yes, there is no limit in taking either of the tests.

✅ How long is TOEFL score valid?

Ans. It is valid for two years from the date of the exam although it expires after another attempt.

✅ How long is the IELTS score valid?

Ans. It can be used till two years from the date of the exam but expires after another attempt.

✅ How is the IELTS band score calculated?

Ans. The overall band score can be calculated by taking an average of the band scores of all the sections.

✅ How is the TOEFL score calculated?

Ans. The TOEFL score is 120 in total, and each section marks 30 each.

✅ Which one is more widely accepted, TOEFL or IELTS?

Ans. TOEFL is more acceptable in America, while IELTS is more common in the UK. Although, now most universities accept either one of them.

✅ Can we get scholarships through TOEFL or IELTS?

Ans. Many universities consider TOEFL / IELTS marks as a criterion while giving out scholarships. You can research on the same and check if your desired university does this or not

✅ How do I prepare for IELTS or TOEFL?

Ans. You must focus solely on English for this. Books are available for this purpose; you can do self-study or take online courses. Some people also take the help of coaching institutes for the same.