IELTS is More Popular in Europe as English Proficiency Test
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The two most important English proficiency tests that Indian students take while seeking admission in an English country are International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL).
In Europe and Australia, IELTS is more popular while in the USA, TOEFL is more popular. However, IELTS scores and TOEFL scores are now accepted as a proof of English proficiency by almost all the universities, irrespective of the continent where they are located.
If you are specifically targeting European universities and educational institutions, IELTS is more widely accepted there. Conducted jointly by the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and IDP Education Australia, IELTS is considered slightly more difficult than TOEFL. TOEFL on the other had is conducted by ETS (Educational Testing Service).
Both TOEFL and IELTS evaluate student's English-language skills on the basis of similar criteria, namely; IELTS listening, IELTS reading, IELTS writing, and IELTS speaking, and TOEFL listening, TOEFL reading, TOEFL writing, and TOEFL speaking. But while TOEFL focuses on sentence structure in its paper-based and computer-based formats, IELTS focuses more on ‘speaking' skills of the candidates.
Non-native English speakers often find it difficult to face interviews and hence, consider TOEFL easier than IELTS. However, the new internet-based TOEFL test also includes a section to evaluate English speaking too.
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Scoring patterns of IELTS and TOEFL are quite different too. While IELTS gives out scores in bands from 0 to 9 for each section (where 0 stands for ‘does not know English at all' and 9 stands for ‘expert in English) and average them for the overall band, TOEFL scores are more exact. However, if you have already taken TOEFL, you can check with the university in Europe to see if it accepts the TOEFL scores converted to IELTS scores.
Typically, the duration of IELTS test is 2 hours and 45 minutes. The speaking section of the exam usually take place a few days before or a few days after the other three sections. TOEFL on the other hand, takes about 3 hours to complete and all the sections are held on the same day.
You can read the following articles for more clarity on both the exams:
The similarities between the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition of the test are provided below:
TOEFL iBT® | Feature / Description | TOEFL iBT® Home Edition |
|---|---|---|
Yes | MyBest® scores: Showcase your best section scores from a given test (e.g., all scores from a TOEFL iBT and TOEFL iBT Home Edition test; or all scores from a TOEFL Essentials test) in 2 years | Yes |
Yes | Instant Reading and Listening scores: View unofficial Reading and Listening section scores to gauge your performance immediately after the test | Yes |
Yes | Fast official scores: Receive official score reports as soon as 6 days after testing | Yes |
No | At-home testing options: Test from the comfort and safety of home | Yes |
Yes | Complete in 1 test session: Complete the entire test in one sitting — no need to schedule separate appointments for certain sections | Yes |
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ETS has relaunched the TOEFL iBT Test on Paper in select countries. The TOEFL iBT Test on Paper is going to test the candidate's same 4 skills but will be delivered on paper and given in two testing sessions. The TOEFL Reading, Listening, and Writing sections would be taken on paper at a test centre. The TOEFL Speaking section will have to be taken at home on the computer and monitored online by a human proctor, within three days after the paper sections. The TOEFL exam on paper is available in select countries including India. Since the Speaking section is being administered at home, test takers would be required to have the necessary environment and equipment requirements before registering for the ETS TOEFL test.
Once available in areas that had poor or limited access to the Internet, the TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) evaluates the Listening, Reading, and Writing skills of the candidates. The TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) has only three sections, Listening, Reading, and Writing and does not have a speaking section due to the unavailability of equipment. However, the TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) is no longer continued. Candidates should not confuse the TOEFL paper-based test (PBT) with the TOEFL Test on Paper. The TOEFL Paper Delivered test is the offline version of the TOEFL iBT Test. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based) Test is no longer offered. However, TOEFL PBT scores will remain valid for two years after your test date