English proficiency tests: IELTS vs TOEFL

Both the TOEFL and IELTS aim to test English proficiency, and students will normally need to sit one if they’ve spent less than four years in an English learning environment. But it can be tricky to know which is the right one to take. In this guide, we look at the key differences between the two tests and which might be right for your students

TOEFL

• The exam is almost entirely (except for the essay component) made up of multiple-choice questions.
• The exam takes approximately four hours.
• The exam is taken online.
• Speaking section: students answer directly into a microphone and answers are graded by multiple examiners. The speaking section will always be on the same day as the rest of the exam. 
• Listening section: students will listen to an excerpt of a lecture of campus conversation and be asked to take notes while listening. When the recording has finished, students will have to answer a number of questions.
• Reading section: multiple-choice questions about some written passages.
• It is generally regarded as the harder of the two tests, but a lower minimum score is required to pass.
• It costs £165.

IELTS

• There are a variety of question types, including short- and long-answer question prompts, essays and multiple-choice. 
• It takes around two hours and 45 minutes. 
• It is a written exam.
• Speaking section: students answer directly to a single examiner. The speaking section might take place on a different date from the rest of the exam.
• Listening section: students will be given excerpts on a variety of topics and then answer questions while listening. These questions can be short-answer or multiple-choice. 
• Reading section: there will be both multiple-choice and long-answer questions about a few passages. 
• It is generally seen as the easier test, but universities will expect a higher score.
• It costs between £180 and £210 depending on the location. 

Students might not need to take these tests if…

A high reading and language score in the SAT or ACT will often waive the TOEFL/IELTS requirement. Considering the high cost, students might prefer to concentrate on studying for the SAT/ACT rather than spend time on either of these tests.

Counsellors can also reduce the need for a student to take the test by commenting on the level of their English proficiency in a recommendation letter. 

A test could be necessary if students have… 

• Taken English as a secondary language.
• Spent less than four years in an English learning environment.
• Sub-600 scores on the English section of the SAT (or sub-26 on the ACT).

Students might have to take a TOEFL or IELTS to avoid any concerns the admissions officers might have about your English skills.

Some colleges – for example, the University of California, Berkeley and the University of Chicago – are fairly strict about their TOEFL and IELTS requirements. They’ll let students replace the TOEFL or IELTS with other scores only on a case-by-case basis. When applying to these schools, always contact your regional admissions officer to make sure you have completed all the required testing. 

When to take a test

You should try to decide whether to take one of these tests during the summer before your senior year, because it can take time for a TOEFL test to be administered.