In order to apply to a top university abroad, you will need to take an English language proficiency test. There are two types of English proficiency tests that you can take, which are TOEFL and IELTS. Even though they have differences, they are an acceptable requirement that you need to ace. Let’s talk about some facts on TOEFL vs IELTS more down below!

TOEFL vs IELTS

IELTS and TOEFL are two of the most commonly used standardized tests to measure the English language proficiency of non-native speakers accepted by universities, employers, immigration authorities, and professional bodies around the world.

One of the key differences between the two tests is the format. IELTS has two formats - Academic and General Training, while TOEFL has only one format. The Academic format of IELTS is designed for people who want to study at a university, while the General Training format is used for immigration and work purposes. In contrast, TOEFL is mainly used for academic purposes, such as admission to universities and colleges in English-speaking countries.

Another difference between IELTS and TOEFL is the content. Both tests evaluate the test-taker's ability to listen, read, speak, and write in English. HoweverIELTS tends to focus more on British and Australian English, while TOEFL focuses on American English. This means that the vocabulary, grammar, and accent used in the two tests may differ.

TOEFL

TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language) is a test that assesses your ability to speak and understand English by analyzing your English ability in terms of reading, speaking, listening and writing. These skills are essential if you want to pursue an academic degree abroad, because the language of the teaching will be in english.

Over 20 million people worldwide have taken the TOEFL test to gauge their level of proficiency in English. Students who want to study abroad frequently take the test, as do scholarship applicants, people applying for visas to work abroad, and others learning English who want to measure their progress. You may find out if you need to take the TOEFL there, along with the minimal grade needed to apply for the course, so keep an eye out for them when researching requirements for university courses.

IELTS

On the other hand, IELTS is another option that you can choose. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. It is a standardized test used to measure the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers who are planning to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries. The test evaluates your ability to listen, read, speak, and write in English. IELTS is accepted by more than 10,000 organizations worldwide, including universities, employers, immigration authorities, and professional bodies.

There are two kinds of IELTS test that you can choose. These are the IELTS academic test and the IELTS general test. The IELTS Academic test assesses whether the level of your English language proficiency is suitable for a more advanced academic environment. It tells you whether your English proficiency is ready to help you begin studying abroad. On the other hand, the IELTS General Training tells how you can use your English language in a more practical setting. The example for this is in the workplace and social situations.

Whichever one you take, it will still count as the right requirement for your top university application. Moreover, you need to prepare thoroughly for this test. You may think that you have good English language proficiency, but the result will always reflect the preparation. If you need further guidance about taking IELTS or TOEFL, our mentors are ready to help you.