IELTS And TOEFL Differences: Even Though The English Tests Are The Same, It Turns Out That The Implementation Is Different!

Differences between IELTS and TOEFL (Benc Mu way-Unsplash image)

YOGYAKARTA - When registering for lectures abroad, in general you will be asked to provide proof of the value of the TOEFL English expertise test (Test Of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). This is done to ensure that you have enough reading, speaking and writing skills in English to take lessons at universities later. So, what are the differences between IELTS and TOEFL?

But because these two tests both tested English expertise, many international students are still confused about which tests they must take.

You can see complete information about the 11 differences in TOEL and IELTS tests below:

1. Provisions for Lecture Entrance at the State University

In general, people think that the TOEFL test is requested by universities in the United States and Canada, while the IELTS test is accepted by various institutions in Australia, England, Ireland, and New Zealand. But actually today many foreign universities have received the two English tests.

You should re-check the provisions requested by the university you are going to so that you can take the right test.

2. Test Value

In TOEFL iBT, each section (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) each has a value of 30 which will be accumulated to a maximum value of 120.

Meanwhile, IELTS assesses each section with a score of 0-9. The total value of these parts will be summed and divided into 4 to get the final score on a scale of 0-9.

3. English Used

TOEFL tests use American English, instead IELTS tests use British English. Although relatively the same, there are spelling comparisons, idioms and accents between the two.

4. Reading Section

The reading section in the TOEFL test will provide approximately 3-5 text reading accompanied by multiple choice questions. On the other hand, on IELTS, you will get 3 text readings with several types of questions.

5. Speaking Section

In TOEFL iBT, you will be given 6 short questions. You must record your voice by using a computer. So that you can more easily get through this section, try reading the guide for the TOEFL iBT speaking section first.

Create an IELTS test (whether written or computer-based), you will speak directly to an appraiser for 12-14 minutes. You will be given several questions about yourself and about a topic of discussion.

6. Difference in Test Payments

Pay that must be paid in Indonesia to take the TOEFL test starting from 500 thousand to 3.3 million rupiah depending on the TOEFL test type taken and the test place you choose. For IELTS Academic, the cost is IDR 3,150.000.

7. Testing method

Currently, TOEFL iBT (Internet Based Test) is one of the official TOEFL tests since the TOEFL PBT (Paper Based Test) was abolished. If you take TOEFL iBT, you will write and record all your stories on your computer. For the future, this test is also planned to be in the form of a written test (TOEFL iBT Paper Edition) in Indonesia.

Unlike TOEFL, IELTS provides 2 types of tests: computer-based IELTS (currently only exist in Jakarta, Yogyakarta, Padang, & Surabaya) and written IELTS. For written IELTS, all answers will be written hands and you will also talk directly with an appraiser at the Speaking Section Equivalent to TOEFL iBT, computer-based IELTS also requires test participants to work on tests with computers. When compared to written IELTS, computer-based IELTS has a shorter Listening section.

8. Writing Section

In both of these tests, you will be asked to write 2 essays. For TOEFL iBT, first of all, you will be given the reading and audio snippets related to the reading. You then have to write an essay (150-225 words) which responds to the text and audio snippets. In the second essay, you will be asked to write down your opinion or experience on a topic.

On the other hand, in the IELTS test, you will be asked to share some visual information such as graphics or diagrams in writing for the first essay (less than 150 words). For the second essay, you will be asked to write an essay (approximately 250 words) to answer an argument, an argument or point of view.

9. Listening Section

In the TOEFL iBT test, you will be watching audio footage in the form of conversations and teaching for about 40-60 minutes. You must record all the important information you hear, because new questions will appear after you finish listening to each snippet.

While in the IELTS test, you will hear various types of short audio footage and you will answer questions directly while hearing the audio footage.

10. The level of difficulty

Many people ask which one is easier between IELTS and TOEFL. This is actually very subjective, because these two tests have relatively the same level of difficulty.

11. Test duration

The TOEFL test lasted almost 4 hours, on the other hand, IELTS had a duration of about 2 hours and 45 minutes.

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