[Infographic] Compare TOEFL and IELTS. Have you chosen the right one?

Choosing between TOEFL and IELTS

TOEFL and IELTS have become the most widely accepted tests to measure English proficiency of non-native speakers around the world. In spite of having the same purpose, the two tests are different in many aspects. The infographic below represents a comparison between the tests which might help you choose the most suitable one.

wiki toefl compare toefl and ielts

Are you a perfect candidate of TOEFL iBT?

  1. You feel comfortable doing the test on computer
    The basic difference between IELTS and TOEFL iBT is that the latter is completely computer-based. If you are familiar with using computer, including using the mouse and typing, you have the advantage. Moreover, because TOEFL takes lengthy time (more than 4 hours), your eyes’ vision is also worth considering. Examination stress may put a strain on your eyes and you might feel exhausted after looking at the screen for a while.
  2. You prefer speaking to yourself than speaking to an examiner
    If you are a shy person, or simply afraid of being monitored while doing test, you must love the TOEFL iBT speaking test! The reason is that you only have to talk to a computer via a microphone. No eyes contact or body language and no one will see you trembling!
  3. Your typing is far better than your hand-writing
    Again, computer-based test can alleviate the scare of illegible hand-writing when under pressure. If you can type fast, you are better with TOEFL iBT.
  4. You are a fan of American English
    TOEFL iBT mostly reflects the standard American English. All fans of Hollywood movies and US idiomatic language are welcomed here!
  5. You are good at taking note while listening to a lecture
    For those who are studying at international schools where they are taught in English will have the advantage here. TOEFL iBT integrated speaking requires excellent note-taking skill. So if you are to take the TOEFL but are dummies in note-taking, it’s high time you took a note-taking training class!!!
  6. You would rather read, watch or listen to informative English sources than entertaining English sources
    Most of the time, the TOEFL test takes passages or lectures of an academic fields (for example: literature, history, geography, astrology, demography, biology .etc). So, if you feel comfortable and interested in these topics, you will have more motivations to take the TOEFL
  7. You feel that Wiki-toefl.com is a great website for you
    If you are interested in most of our posts and looking forward to our new contents, you’re probably fit well with the TOEFL iBT! 🙂

Choosing which test to take is of extreme importance. Once you begin the preparation, it is hard to turn back with the same motivations and enthusiasm. Therefore, make a wise choice!

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The IELTS or the TOEFL Test, Which is Better ?

TOEFL vs IELTS Comparision

You might wonder if the TOEFL or the IELTS is better for you. Read on and find out!

Forr many years, the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) was the exam most U.S. colleges and universities relied on to measure and test English language skills exhibited by applicants from non-English speaking countries. Worldwide, that was not the case. Another test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), was the exam required by most other English-speaking countries, including Britain and Australia, to test English language skills. The IELTS is often considered to be the only test that can compete with the TOEFL test in the United States.

The TOEFL test did not match the IELTS in all areas

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About the TOEFL Test

Overview TOEFL Test

An overview of the TOEFL test

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures your English skills by testing reading, writing, listening, and now, in most locations, speaking. The TOEFL test is offered in 180 countries around the globe.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures your English skills by testing reading, writing, listening, and now, in most locations, speaking. The TOEFL test is offered in 180 countries around the globe.

If you’re a non-native English speaker at the 11th-grade or above level, planning to attend college or graduate school in the United States, chances are you need to take the TOEFL. More than 6,000 colleges and universities worldwide require the TOEFL test as part of your application. It is designed to evaluate your mastery of the English language and your ability to be successful in an English-speaking academic environment.

The original TOEFL was a paper and pencil test. Gradually, the TOEFL Paper-based Test (PBT) was joined by the computer-based version, the CBT. Until 2005, the TOEFL was administered primarily as the CBT. Since then a new version of the test, the Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT), was introduced and is being integrated worldwide. Depending upon your testing location, the TOEFL will be administered in either iBT or PBT format. The CBT version is no longer offered. Continue reading

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Why is the TOEFL test changing?

TOEFL Tips Tricks
  • To measure the ability to communicate successfully in an academic setting

The new test will better measure what colleges and universities need to know: a prospective student’s ability to use English in an academic setting. The new Speaking section evaluates a person’s ability to use spoken English, and the new integrated Writing and Speaking tasks measure the ability to com­bine information from more than one source and communicate about it.

  • To reflect how language is really used

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What is different about the TOEFL iBT test?

TOEFL iBT test
  • It tests all four language skills that are important for effective communication: speaking, listening, reading, and writing. The emphasis will be on using English to communicate.
  • It will be delivered via the Internet in secure test centers around the world. Once the new test is introduced in an area, the computer-based and paper-based tests will no longer be offered there.
  • Some tasks require test takers to combine more than one skill. To succeed academically in English­speaking colleges and universities, students need to be able to combine their language skills in the classroom. New integrated questions, or “tasks,” help students build the confidence needed to com­municate in the academic environments they plan to enter. The new integrated tasks will ask test takers to: Continue reading
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What is the difference between the TOEFL iBT® and TOEFL® PBT tests?

What is the difference between the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL PBT

The TOEFL iBT® test is administered via the Internet, and the TOEFL PBT test is administered in a paper-delivered format. The TOEFL PBT test is being phased out.

  • The TOEFL iBT test measures reading, listening, speaking and writing skills. It is offered more than 50 times a year and is administered online at testing sites around the world.
  • The TOEFL PBT test measures reading, listening, grammar and writing skills and is currently offered only in locations where testing via the Internet is not available.

For more information, see:

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TOEFL iBT® Test Content and Structure

TOELF IBT

The TOEFL iBT® test is given in English and administered via the Internet. There are four sections (listening, reading, speaking, and writing) which take a total of about four and a half hours to complete, including check-in.

Combining All Four Skills: Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing

During the test, you are asked to perform tasks that combine more than one skill, such as:

  • Read, listen and then speak in response to a question
  • Listen and then speak in response to a question
  • Read, listen and then write in response to a question

TOEFL iBT Test Sections

Section Time Limit Questions Tasks
Reading 60–80 minutes 36–56 questions Read 3 or 4 passages from academic texts and answer questions.
Listening 60–90 minutes 34–51 questions Listen to lectures, classroom discussions and conversations, then answer questions.
Break 10 minutes
Speaking 20 minutes 6 tasks Express an opinion on a familiar topic; speak based on reading and listening tasks.
Writing 50 minutes 2 tasks Write essay responses based on reading and listening tasks; support an opinion in writing.

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TOEFL® PBT Test Content and Structure

The TOEFL® PBT test, administered in a paper-delivered format, takes about three and one-half hours to complete. There is also a 30-minute writing test, called theTWE® test, which is required of everyone who takes the paper-delivered test. The total time to take both tests will be about four hours.

As you can see in the table below, the TOEFL PBT test has three sections plus the TWE writing test, all of which are mandatory. At least one question in each section must be answered and one essay must be written to earn a score.

Section Description Time Limit No. of
Questions
Listening Comprehension Measures the ability to understand spoken English 30-40 minutes 50
Structure and Written Expression Measures the ability to recognize language appropriate for standard written English 25 minutes 40
Reading Comprehension Measures the ability to understand non-technical reading material 55 minutes 50
TWE® Test Measures the ability to write in English 30 minutes 1 topic
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What is TOEFL – Test of English as a Foreign Language

What is toefl - Test of English as a Foreign Language

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL, /ˈtfəl/, toh-fəl) is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in American universities. The test is accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions. TOEFL is one of the two major English-language tests in the world, the other being the IELTS.

TOEFL is a trademark of the Educational Testing Service (ETS), a private non-profit organization, which designs and administers the tests. ETS issues official score reports, sent independently to institutions, for two years following the test. Continue reading

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