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TOEFL vs IELTS: The Ultimate Guide to Making the Right Choice

January 20, 2025

Most of the institutions or employees look for proof of English language proficiency test if you wish to pursue your studies, work, or live in English-speaking countries. There are two major ways through which you can test your English skills. They are: the IELTS exam vs. TOEFL exam.

Both these tests are very popular and accepted by schools all over the world, but how do you know which test will be suitable for you? In this blog by MSM Unify, we will compare IELTS vs. TOEFL and look at what each test comprises, their differences, and how to choose the best one according to your needs. So, keep reading further.

TOEFL vs. IELTS comparison

When it comes to TOEFL vs. IELTS comparison, thousands of institutions accept both of these across the globe, but they have some key differences that can help you decide which one is best for you.

TOEFL vs. IELTS – which is More Accepted?

When it comes to the IELTS test vs. TOEFL comparison, both of these tests are accepted by universities all across the globe. It is evident that IELTS has been accepted by many universities in the world as many foreign visa officials have yet to accept TOEFL.

IELTS vs. TOEFL – which is more accepted in Canada

The IELTS test is the most used test in Canada when compared to TOEFL for all immigration and studying purposes. The reason is that IELTS is recognized by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) for immigration purposes.

IELTS vs. TOEFL – which is more accepted in USA

When it comes to the United States, most of the time universities accept both tests. However, TOEFL is slightly more popular when compared with IELTS, especially for institutions that prefer a computer-based test. It depends on the certain requirements of the institutions regarding the acceptance of these tests.

Here are more details about IELTS vs. TOEFL comparison:

Category	TOEFL	IELTS
Test format	Computer-based (except paper-based in some areas)	Computer-based and paper-based
Sections	Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing	Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking
Test delivery	Entirely computer-based	Both paper-based and computer-based
Test duration	About 4 hours	About 2 hours 45 minutes
Scoring	Scores range from 0 to 120, each section for out of 30	Scores range from 0 to 9
Test availability	Widely available in the US and other English-speaking countries	Widely accepted in the UK, Australia, and various countries
Cost	Generally more expensive than IELTS	Generally less expensive than TOEFL

Gmat vs GRE

Structure of IELTS exam vs. TOEFL

Section	TOEFL	IELTS
Listening	Includes lectures and conversations; audio is played only once	Includes a mix of various accents; audio is played only once
Reading	Academic texts and passages from books and magazines	Mix of long and short texts, including diagrams and charts
Speaking	Speaking into a computer headset, responses recorded	Face-to-face with an examiner
Writing	Combined task (writing and reading) and an independent essay task	Academic task (summary or essay) and general training task (letter or essay)

Celpip vs Ielts

IELTS vs TOEFL: Detailed section-wise comparison

Section	TOEFL	IELTS
Listening	Duration: 60 minutes	Duration: 30 minutes
Listening	Syllabus: Lectures and conversations with academic content	Syllabus: Monologues and conversations with different accents
Reading	Duration: 60 minutes	Duration: 60 minutes
Reading	Syllabus: 3-4 academic passages from books and magazines	Syllabus: 3 long texts for academic module or 4 shorter texts for general training
Speaking	Duration: 20 minutes	Duration: 11-14 minutes
Speaking	Syllabus: 6 tasks, responding to recorded prompts through a headset	Syllabus: Face-to-face interview with 3 parts: introduction, long turn, and discussions
Writing	Duration: 50 minutes	Duration: 60 minutes
Writing	Syllabus: Integrated task (reading and writing) and independent essay task	Syllabus: Task 1 (summary/letter) and Task 2 (essay)

SAT vs ACT

TOEFL vs IELTS Score Comparison

One must know how scoring is done in each of these tests and what the score represents. Both tests measure one’s proficiency in English but use two different scales and formats. In this regard, given below is a very brief overview of the IELTS vs TOEFL score comparison.

Score Scales

TOEFL: The complete assessment score varies from 0 to 120, each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) scored against 30.
IELTS: Each section (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking) is scored on a band scale of 0 to 9, and the overall band score becomes the average of the four sections.

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

CAEL vs Celpip

Conclusion

Deciding between IELTS vs TOEFL totally depends on your strengths and the requirements of the university you are opting for. IELTS has a flexibility factor attached, plus the speaking component is face-to-face, while TOEFL has a computerized test environment. The best test would thus suit you as per your ability and preference.

If you are a student planning to study abroad or require guidance on choosing the English proficiency test, one of the best platforms to trust is MSM Unify. They provide all the required information with detailed insights and proper guidance, helping you throughout your study abroad journey.

Reach out to the experts at MSM Unify overseas education consultants today for any further assistance or expert guidance!

FAQS

1. What is the main difference between IELTS vs. TOEFL?

There are some main differences between TOEFL vs. IELTS. Firstly, the TOEFL is purely an online test, while the IELTS has a paper-based as well as a computer-based option for testing. The TOEFL focuses more on American English and academic contents as compared to the IELTS, which has various accents and also includes face-to-face speaking with an examiner.

2. TOEFL vs. IELTS: which one is easier?

With respect to the individual, the tests differ in difficulty. The TOEFL may seem easier for the person who prefers undergoing the test on a computer with the American English accent. The IELTS would most likely be easier for the candidate who focuses on interacting more face-to-face with a mix of different types of accents.

3. How long are TOEFL and IELTS scores valid?

The TOEFL as well as the IELTS scores are valid for two years after the date of the test. After that period, individuals will have to take a test again if valid scores are needed to fill out the applications.

4. Can I use IELTS or TOEFL for immigration purposes?

One can use both tests for immigration purposes. In the IELTS vs. TOEFL comparison, most countries like the UK, Canada, and Australia accept IELTS for immigration whereas the USA accepts TOEFL for academic purposes.

5. IELTS vs TOEFL: which is better?

You’re going to make this choice as per your preferences as well as the requirements of the institutions you are applying to. You may consider the format of testing, the comfort level of speaking face-to-face or on a computer, and the specific requirements for acceptance by your target schools or immigration program.