If you are thinking about studying overseas in an English speaking country or an European University, then you will probably need to take an English proficiency test. But which one should you choose?
The two most common English tests for university admission are the IELTS and TOEFL tests. This article will compare both to choose the best one for you.
Basic Information about the exams 雅思和托福的基本資訊
The IELTS exam, or International English Language Testing System, is developed by UCLES, University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES and delivered by the British Council and IDP Education Australia. The test is available in an Academic and General Training Module (only the writing and reading are different). Here, we are talking about the Academic module.
The TOEFL Test, or Test of English as a Foreign Language, is developed and delivered by ETS, the Educational Testing Service, a non-profit American company that has a virtual monopoly. The test is available in a paper-based version (PBT), a computer-based version (CBT) and an Internet-Based Version (IBT). Here, we only look at the Internet-Based Test.
All are non-profit organizations – but do occasionally make money.
Cost 考試費用
The cost of the IELTS test can vary depending on whether the provider is IDP or The British Council, but currently it is NT$5,100 in Taiwan (around US$160) while the TOEFL is US$160.
How many times I can take the tests? 我應該考幾次雅思 / 托福？
IELTS test is available on 48 fixed dates a year – for specifically available dates you need to contact your local center while the TOEFL is available in any 7-day period. There is no limit to the number of times you can take the test
Acceptance 學校接受度
It used to be the case that IELTS tests were only accepted by British, Australian, New Zealand and Canadian schools while TOEFL dominated in the US. How things have changed! Now, the two tests are literally competing with each other and nearly any school you wish to go to will accept both.
Here is a list of all the universities in the States that accept IELTS.
Here is a list of all the places that accept TOEFL scores.
Difficulty 考試難易度
Students often ask which is more difficult. Unfortunately, the answer really depends on your individual situation and your learning experience. It can also depend on your learning style and how you think. In many cases, difficulty depends on the type of tasks in each test. Take a look at the summary below:
How are IELTS and TOEFL different? 雅思和托福的差異性？
Speaking 口說考試
IELTS | TOEFL |
Part 1 | Independent Speaking |
Part 2 – Individual Long Turn 1 minute preparation – 2 minute talk | Integrated Speaking – with reading 2 Questions |
Part 3 – Discussion Talk about ideas and issues that become more abstract. | Integrated Speaking – listening only 2 Questions. You have to report and comment on what you hear. |
Face-to-Face Interview. You are able to ask the interviewer to clarify, explain words or repeat the question. | You always have some preparation time Integrated tasks require you understand everything you hear. Listen to pre-recorded questions and speak in a microphone. |
Many people prefer talking to a person face-to-face. It is also possible to ask the examiner a question which makes it easier to make sure that you answer the question properly. In the IELTS test, asking questions does NOT reduce your score. On the other hand the TOEFL test environment can be noisy and uncomfortable. You also have a fixed time limit while the IELTS is more flexible.
The other thing to consider is the type of questions themselves. The biggest problem with the TOEFL speaking for some people is that it may be difficult to catch the ideas in the integrated speaking questions. That said, the TOEFL speaking questions are not complex. IELTS questions can become quite sophisticated in part 3.
Listening 聽力考試
Part 1 Conversation | All multi-choice |
Part 2 Monologue on topic of general interest | 4-6 lectures |
Part 3 2-4 person discussion in an academic context | 2-3 conversations |
Part 4 A lecture | |
Accents: British, Australian, North American | Accents: British, American, Canadian |
30-40 minutes + 10 minutes transfer time Various question types including multi-choice, writing words, matching, | 60-90 minutes All multi-choice format, checking and matching. |
As for listening, TOEFL listenings tend to be more academically specialized. They are more likely to ask questions about cells, and molecular biology. Although IELTS listenings are also academic, they tend to be more general. The main reason why people find IELTS listenings difficult is that they require you to write down words and phrases, which is difficult because usually the keywords are synonyms or paraphrased AND you have to spell correctly! Finally, if you are used to American English, you will find the IELTS test to be a little more challenging.
Free IELTS Listening 免費雅思聽力
Free TOEFL Listening 免費托福聽力
Reading 閱讀考試
3 readings Various question types including multi-choice, writing words, matching, summarizing, Yes / No /Not Given | 3-5 passages from academic texts; Many multi-choice questions, checking and matching. Some organizational questions. |
60 minutes | 60-90 minutes |
In terms of reading, both tests are fairly similar. Again, the main difference is in the format of the questions. Again, the IELTS requires a much better control over your language. Some of the tasks require you to understand what types of words (verb, noun, adjective etc) could possibly fit in a space. There are also some challenging tasks – especially the Yes / No / Not Given questions! In other words, if you have a very strong passive vocabulary (you can understand the basic meanings of many words) and are good at eliminating options then TOEFL will be better for you.
Writing 寫作考試
Task 1 | Describe a piece of factual information such as a table, chart, or process. 150 words. | Integrated Essay Listen and read – write a short report summarizing the key points presented 150- 200 words |
Task 2 | Answer an academic essay question: · Present and support an opinion (agree/disagree) · Discuss problems/solutions · Weigh two arguments · Compare advantages and disadvantages 250 words | Independent Essay · Present and support an opinion (agree/disagree) · Explain a preference · Comparison and contrast · Description and evaluation · If / Imaginary 300+ words |
Overall | 60 minutes – test-taker able to divide the time as they wish Handwritten answers | 50 minutes – you have 20 minutes to complete the first task and then 30 minutes to complete the second task. |
Probably the biggest difference is in the writing tasks. The TOEFL integrated task requires you to read and listen and makes notes about before writing. This can be difficult for students. However, it is balanced by the second writing task which is often much easier to understand than IELTS writing topics!
In fact, the writing is nearly always the most challenging section for IELTS students, check out the other posts to find out more about this. The main reason is that you have to master a wide range of writing styles for Task 1 where you have to describe data. Also, you lose marks in IELTS if you do not directly answer the question. This is a common problem!
So which is better for me? 哪一個考試較適合我？
It really depends, both are very widely accepted and they cost about the same. The real issue is if you feel that you will do better in one format or the other. For example, if you have terrible spelling, you WILL score lower in the IELTS Listening test. On the other hand, if you are a weak speaker and need a bit of help, then the IELTS speaking format will help. So, it is up to you!
What ever your decision, good luck with your test!
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