Which is Easier: TOEFL or IELTS? 5 Essential Differences Revealed

When it comes to proving your English proficiency for academic purposes, the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are two of the most widely recognized tests. Choosing between them can be challenging, especially when both exams are accepted globally for university admissions and immigration purposes. So, which is easier TOEFL or IELTS? To help you make an informed decision, this blog will compare the two tests based on their format, sections, and the skills they assess.

IELTS vs. TOEFL: Key Differences

Choosing the right English language proficiency test can be crucial for many individuals, especially Indian students. Let’s understand the differences between TOEFL and IELTS. This table will help you to understand which is easier TOEFL or IELTS.

Feature	IELTS	TOEFL
Fees	₹16,250	₹14,322
Number of Questions	40	60-80
Exam Duration	2 hours and 45	3 hours and 30 minutes
Validity	2 years	2 years
Mode of Exam	Paper-based, Computer-based, or Online	Online and paper-based
Time Taken for Results	Computer-Based – 3-5 days Paper-Based – after 13 days	Approximately 6 days
Number of Test Centers in India	More than 10	75
Test Administered by	British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English	Educational Testing Service (ETS)
Evaluation	Experts and computerised scoring	The Reading and Listening sections are scored by computers. AI and trained examiners score the Speaking and Writing sections.
Are there any Breaks?	Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are held together without any breaks. However, the Speaking test can either be scheduled on the same day or within a week before or after the main test date.	Yes, a 10-minute break after the first two sections.
How many Universities accept the score?	More than 11,000	More than 11,500
Examiner Interaction	Face-to-face speaking test	Recorded speaking test
Frequency	48 times a year	50 times a year

IELTS vs. TOEFL: Differences in Format

Here, is the table that highlights the differences in the format of the IELTS and TOEFL exams. This will help you understand the variations in sections, duration, and determine which is easier TOEFL or IELTS.

IELTS Exam Pattern

The IELTS exam pattern has four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. Let us take a look at the entire exam pattern and these four sections.

Section	Duration	Components
Listening	30 minutes	4 sections, 40 questions
Reading	60 minutes	3 sections, 40 questions
Writing	60 minutes	2 tasks
Speaking	11-14 minutes	3 tasks

TOEFL Exam Pattern

The TOEFL exam also has four sections. Let us take a look at the TOEFL exam pattern, questions and the duration of this exam.

Section	Duration	Components
Listening	41-57 minutes	28-38 Questions
Reading	54-72 minutes	30- 40 Questions
Writing	50 minutes	2 tasks
Speaking	17 minutes	4 tasks

Detailed IELTS Pattern

1. Listening section – 4 recordings

The listening test evaluates how well one understands the main ideas and specific facts. It recognises the speaker’s opinions, attitudes, and purpose.

• Task – Candidates are required to answer questions based on what they hear.

2. The reading section – 3 texts

The IELTS Reading test evaluates the following:

• Reading Speed
• Understanding
• Time Management

The test includes three different passages with related questions. There are separate topics for the IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training exams. The purpose of the IELTS Reading test is to assess various reading skills.

Tasks include:

• Academic reading format
• Academic reading task types
• General training reading format
• General training reading task types

3. The writing section – 2 tasks

The IELTS writing test evaluates different writing skills.

• Task 1 – candidates describe visual information.
• Task 2 – Students write an essay on a given topic.

4. The Speaking Section-

Students appear for a face-to-face interview with an examiner. It is divided into three parts:

• Introduction
• Short speech
• Discussion

Detailed TOEFL Pattern

1.Listening section

• Multiple recordings
• Comprehension questions

2. The reading section

Reading 3-4 passages and answering questions based on the information provided.

3. The speaking section – 4 tasks

Task evaluates candidate’s skills to:

• Express opinions
• Summarise information
• Respond to audio recordings

4. Writing section

• Integrated Task – Candidates read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write it.
• Independent Task – Candidates write an essay based on their personal experience or opinion.

Types of Questions in TOEFL and IELTS

Both exams test English language proficiency but differ in question formats across the sections: Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking. Let’s take a closer look at the question types for each section in both TOEFL and IELTS to understand which is easier TOEFL or IELTS.

TOEFL Question Types

1. Reading Section:

• Multiple Choice Questions
• Insert Text
• Prose Summary

2. Listening Section:

• Multiple Choice Questions
• Lecture with Chart

3. Specking Section

• Independent Speaking – 1 Task
• Integrated Speaking – 3 Tasks

4. Writing Section

• Integrated Writing Task
• Independent Writing Task

IELTS Question Types

1. Listening Section:

• Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
• Sentence Completion
• Matching
• Summary Completion

2. Reading Section:

• Multiple Choice
• Sentence Completion
• Matching Information
• Short Answers
• Fill-in-the banks

3. Writing Section:

• Task 1: Candidates describe, summarise, or explain information presented in a graph, chart, table, or diagram.
• Task 2: Candidates write an essay in response to a given prompt, expressing their opinions and supporting them with arguments.

3. Speaking Section:

• Part 1: Candidates answer general questions about themselves, their hobbies, etc.
• Part 2: Candidates are given a topic and speak about it for 2 minutes.
• Part 3: Candidates engage in discussion with the examiner on a related topic.

In summary, both TOEFL and IELTS have distinct question types that assess various language skills. TOEFL predominantly uses multiple-choice questions, while IELTS incorporates a variety of question types, such as multiple-choice, matching, and sentence completion. So, which is easier TOEFL or IELTS? Understanding the question formats of each test can help you prepare effectively and make the right choice based on your strengths and preferences.

Sections in IELTS and TOEFL

When it comes to choosing an English proficiency exam, many students often wonder which is easier TOEFL or IELTS. Both exams are widely accepted and recognised around the world, including in India. In this article, the comparison of the two exams and highlight the key areas of difficulty based on popular consensus is mentioned, to help you make the right choice.

1. IELTS Listening vs. TOEFL Listening

The listening sections of both exams assess your ability to comprehend spoken English, but they differ in format and duration, which leads to the question: which is easier TOEFL or IELTS?

In the IELTS Listening section, which lasts for 30 minutes, you’ll hear four different conversations, each followed by ten questions. The recordings are played only once, and you must answer based on your listening skills.

In contrast, the TOEFL Listening section lasts between 41 and 57 minutes and includes audio materials such as conversations, lectures, and discussions. You’ll then answer approximately 28 to 39 questions based on the content you’ve heard. Understanding these differences can help you decide which exam better suits your listening skills.

2. IELTS Reading vs. TOEFL Reading

In the IELTS Reading section, you will encounter various texts and passages, ranging from descriptive to argumentative in nature. You will need to answer questions based on the information provided in these texts. This raises the question: which is easier TOEFL or IELTS?

On the other hand, the TOEFL Reading section consists of academic passages that you would typically find in a university environment. The questions test your understanding of the passages, requiring you to infer and comprehend complex ideas. Understanding these differences can help you decide which exam better aligns with your reading strengths.

3.  IELTS Writing vs. TOEFL Writing

The IELTS Writing section requires you to complete two tasks: Task 1, where you summarize, describe, or explain visual information, and Task 2, which involves writing an essay in response to a given prompt. So, which is easier TOEFL or IELTS when it comes to writing?

In comparison, the TOEFL Writing section also has two tasks: an integrated task where you read a passage, listen to a lecture, and then write a response, and an independent task where you express your opinion on a given topic. Understanding these differences can help you decide which exam suits your writing skills better.

4. IELTS Speaking vs. TOEFL Speaking

For the IELTS Speaking section, you will have a face-to-face conversation with an examiner. The speaking test has three parts. They are:

• Introduction and Interview
• Short Speech
• Discussion.

The TOEFL and IELTS exams assess your English language skills but differ in their format and approach.

While the TOEFL exam focuses more on academic English, the IELTS exam covers a broader range of contexts. Ultimately, each exam’s difficulty depends on your strengths and weaknesses.

It is recommended to understand the format and requirements of both exams before making a decision which is easier TOEFL or IELTS. Consider factors such as test availability, location, fees, and the format that suits you best.

IELTS vs. TOEFL: Differences in Grading

Remember that the scores required by institutions may vary, so when considering which is easier TOEFL or IELTS, it is essential to check the specific score requirements of your target university or program. This will help you make a more informed decision based on your strengths and the requirements of your desired institution.

IELTS Scoring

It grades you on a nine-band scale to categorise your level of proficiency – from band score 1 (non-user) to band score 9 (expert).

IELTS score	Skill level
9	Expert
8	Very good
7	Good
6	Competent
5	Modest
4	Limited
3	Extremely limited
2	Intermittent
1	Non-user

Each test receives a score. These individual scores are averaged and rounded to the nearest half-band to determine the overall band score.

Let’s take an example. Suppose the average score for the listening, reading, writing, and speaking sections is 5.75. Then the overall band score will be rounded to 6.0.

TOEFL Scoring

TOEFL evaluates your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills in one test.

Section	TOEFL score	English language skill level
Listening	22 – 30	Advanced
	17 – 21	High-intermediate
	9 – 16	Low-intermediate
	0 – 8	Below low-intermediate
Reading	24 – 30	Advanced
	18 – 23	High-Intermediate
	4 – 17	Low-Intermediate
	0 – 3	Below Low-Intermediate
Speaking	25 – 30	Advanced
	20 – 24	High-intermediate
	16 – 19	Low-intermediate
	10 – 15	Basic
	0 – 9	Below Basic
Writing	24 – 30	Advanced
	17 – 23	High-intermediate
	13 – 16	Low-intermediate
	7 – 12	Basic
	0 – 6	Below Basic

In TOEFL, the total score is calculated by adding up these individual scores.

IELTS Score vs. TOEFL Score

TOEFL vs. IELTS Score: To give you a clearer picture, here is a table comparing IELTS scores with their corresponding TOEFL scores:

IELTS Score	TOEFL Score
9	118-120
8.5	115-117
8	110-114
7.5	102-109
7	94-101
6.5	79-93
6	60-78
5.5	46-59
5	35-45
4.5	32-34
0-4	0-31

IELTS vs. TOEFL: Which is Easier?

TOEFL and IELTS are two popular English language proficiency tests that are widely accepted by universities, colleges, and immigration authorities around the world.

Are you wondering which is easier TOEFL or IELTS for Indian Students? Well, you are not alone. The article has made this easy for you.

1. TOEFL or IELTS for Indian Students

Both TOEFL and IELTS are recognized and accepted by universities in India. However, when deciding which is easier TOEFL or IELTS, your choice may depend on your preferred institution. Some universities may have a preference for one test over the other, so it’s important to check the admission criteria of your desired university or program.

2. Is IELTS Difficult?

The difficulty level of IELTS varies from student to student. As stated earlier, the IELTS exam tests your English language skills in four sections. Each section has its challenges. However, with proper preparation and practice, you can excel in all. The difficulty level of IELTS varies from student to student.

Taking mock tests, studying vocabulary, and familiarising yourself with the test format can help you overcome any difficulties.

3. What is a Good Score in TOEFL?

TOEFL scores are measured on a scale of 0 to 120. Different universities and programs have specific score requirements, so checking the minimum score needed for your desired institution is crucial.

An 80 or above score is usually considered a good score for institutions. However, top universities may require higher scores, typically ranging from 90 to 100 or more.

4. IELTS Cut-OFF

TTop universities such as Harvard and Stanford usually have an IELTS cut-off score of 7 or 8. The IELTS test is scored on a scale of 1 to 9. When considering which is easier TOEFL or IELTS, it’s important to note that universities accepting IELTS scores set specific cut-off scores for both overall and individual sections to assess a candidate’s English proficiency. The IELTS cut-off score can vary among universities and the programs they offer, so it’s essential to check the requirements for your desired institution.

5. IELTS vs. TOEFL Difficulty

To answer which is easier TOEFL or IELTS both TOEFL and IELTS have their unique challenges. TOEFL is known for its academic approach. It focuses on American English and emphasises language used in university settings. On the other hand, IELTS covers both British and American English and has a more general approach. The choice between the two exams depends on your familiarity with the respective accents and your preferences.

Making the Right Choice Between TOEFL and IELTS

Both exams are widely accepted and recognised by universities and institutions around the world.

Familiarise yourself with the test format, practice sample questions, and seek guidance if needed. Remember, it doesn’t matter which is easier TOEFL or IELTS,  both TOEFL and IELTS require consistent effort and dedication to achieve a good score.

Choosing between TOEFL and IELTS depends on your personal preferences, strengths, and goals. Consider the requirements of the institutions you are applying to, the countries where you plan to study or work, and your comfort level with different English language styles. With proper preparation and a clear understanding of your needs, you can make an informed choice and excel in either exam.

Good luck on your English language journey!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)

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