There are numerous language admissions tests students could take annually to enrol into university. Among all tests, ilets and tofel are the most popular and accepted world wide. Both tests are designed to show the detailed language skills of the academic students. or any non native speaker who wants to evaluate his language proficiency.
So what should you know about them? In this article we will make a basic comparison between the two tests to make it easier for you to choose!
What is the IELTS test?
The ielts test is the international system for measuring English language proficiency. The IELTS test is the world’s most popular English language test for study, work and immigration purposes, with three million ielts tests taken throughout the year.
Ielts results are accepted by more than 11,000 institutions in 140 countries around the world, including educational institutions, companies, professional institutions and government agencies.
The content of the ielts test has been developed by an international team of experts, and the test undergoes extensive research to ensure that it remains fair and impartial to all applicants, regardless of nationality, cultural and social background, gender, lifestyle or location.
You can take the IELTS Academic or IELTS General Training test, which depends on the institution you are applying to and your future plans.
IELTS test components
The ielts test is a test that measures all main language skills: (listening, reading, writing and speaking). The listening, reading and writing exams are taken on the same day one after the other, with no breaks in between.
As for the speaking exam, it can be on the same day as the three exams, or within 3 to 7 days before or after those exams. The total time taken for the IELTS test – with its exams – is less than three hours.
What makes the composition of the IELTS test fairer for test takers?
You deserve a fair chance to do your best. That’s why, unlike other tests, IELTS gives you a quiet room to take an individual speaking test without any distractions or interruptions.
IELTS also understands that people use different ways to answer questions. For example, in the IELTS test, you can answer the questions in the reading or writing test in the order that suits you. You can also make changes to your answers in the reading test during the hour designated for the test, and modify your answers in the writing test during the hour designated for that test.
ielts or tofel which one to take ?
Comparing between IELTS or TOFEL is the test you need to study in European, Canadian and American universities. There are thousands of reputable universities and colleges globally that accept IELTS results as proof of your English language proficiency.
It is the required test for professionals – IELTS results are accepted by professional accreditation and registration bodies in many fields, such as accounting, engineering, law, medicine, nursing, pharmacy and teaching staff in many countries.
This means that after you finish your studies, you may need to take the IELTS test in order to obtain a professional registration in an English speaking country. If you have previously taken the IELTS test for university admission, you will be familiar with the components and method of the test when you take it again for professional registration.
It is the test required for immigration too, the IELTS test, the most required English language test by governments in countries around the world in order to obtain permanent residence.
It is famous that the governments of the United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand accept IELTS results.
And it’s also the fairest test for you – did you know that IELTS is the single most important English language test in which the speaking test is taken through a one-on-one interview with the examinee in a private room, where you are not interrupted or distracted by any of the other test takers ?
No computers, no technical issues and no distractions during testing.
What is tofel?
The tofel test is known as the Test of English as a Second Language for Non-Native Speakers, or in its literal meaning: Test of English as Foreign Language, and it is an international test that aims to measure the extent to which the examinee is proficient in the English language. It should be noted that the test represents a real gateway to the majority of universities in the world, whether those in the United States of America or in Europe.
The tofel test consists of two types:
Tofel Internet Based Test (IBT):
In it, the applicant is tested online in all sections of the exam, and it is one of the most popular types of tofel and is highly required in most American universities.
It is about 4½ hours long, and its scores range from 0 to 120.
The tofel paper-based test (Institutional Testing Program), known for its acronym (ITP): in which the applicant is tested by writing, it is less prevalent than the online test. It has a duration of 3½ hours and its scores range from 310 to 677.
Which is easier, IELTS or TOEFL?
The ultimate repeated question, which is more easier or what test you should take!
Before deciding your final answer you need to know that, we will try to summarise some of the differences between the two tests, but if you need more details you could check this article in our blog,
the Differences Between the IELTS and TOEFL Tests;
- The American accent is dominant in the TOEFL test, while English (British) is the most common in IELTS.
- There are some American universities that require TOEFL only, and there are some British or European universities that accept IELTS only, so it is important to review the universities that you intend to apply to first and find out which type of test is acceptable to them.
- There is a lot of material available to study for both exams, but online IELTS materials are relatively more popular than TOEFL.
- If you are still confused about which test will be suitable for you and which matches your language skills you could check out, https://en.elmadrasah.com/en/ courses package and seek academic advice from our Elite tutors!
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Which is more scoring ielts or tofel?
tofel and ielts Scoring conversion schedule according to CEFR Equivalence system shows that scoring system for both and they nearly equal :
| TOEFL | IELTS | CEFR Level |
| 0-17 | A1 (beginner) | |
| 18-55 | 0-4 | A2 (elementary) |
| 56-86 | 4.5-5 | B1 (intermediary) |
| 87-109 | 5.5-6.5 | B2 (upper intermediary) |
| 110-120 | 7-8 | C1 (advanced) |
| – | 8-9 | C2 (Expert) |
Besides both tests have well respected reputations and are vastly accepted, they do have differences in their approaches, structure and content. Based on it, you should think carefully about which one you’ll choose to take.
TOFEL :
- speaking part formed of (listening to a recording on the computer)
- The writing part is based on answering questions on a computer.
- 4 tests for the 4 parts (speaking, writing, listening, reading);
- 3 hours long;
- 120-point scoring max
- Average difficulty.
IELTS :
- Speaking part is done with an examinator, a one-on-one exam
- The writing part is done on a bubble sheet.
- 1 test for the 4 parts
- 2 hours and 245min
- 0-to-9-point scoring max
- High difficulty.
By the end of this article, we tried to highlight some crucial points about the language test, in a short detailed information, hoping we will enlighten you more about the core of the two tests and help you make the proper decision in taking ielts or tofel !
