Which test should I take?

IELTS and TOEFL both test your English ability in similar ways, so it may be difficult to decide which you want to take. There are, however, enough differences that it may be worth considering which one you want to take if you can only take one of them.

Differences to consider

One of the most important differences between the two tests is the format of the test. As the TOEFL is typically done entirely on computer and the IELTS is mostly handwritten, you should consider if you would prefer to type your essays or to write them. Both tests have multiple choice sections, but the IELTS has less multiple choice questions overall. Instead, the IELTS has several sections in which the test taker must fill in the blank space on their answer sheet with their answer.

As mentioned on our test comparison page, the speaking sections are conducted differently between the two tests. On the TOEFL iBT, the computer will give you your question and you will answer it by speaking into a microphone for the duration of the question’s allotted time. For the IELTS, you will be asked questions in person by a native English speaker in a format that is like an interview or a discussion.

One more aspect to consider is the use of accents. As the IELTS is a British test, listening section will likely be primarily recordings of speakers with British accents, although there may be other accents that appear. The TOEFL, however, was developed in the United States, and most of the speakers have more neutral American accents. It is still possible for speakers with other accents to appear, however. If you are more comfortable with British accents than American accents, it may be better to take the IELTS. The reverse is also true, so if you are more comfortable with American accents than British accents, TOEFL may be easier for you.

Difficulty

The difficulty of each test does vary individually. One person may find the TOEFL more difficult than the IELTS, but another person may find the IELTS to be more difficult. Our English expert, however, having taken both tests, personally feels that the IELTS is considerably easier than the TOEFL and generally a more pleasant and interesting experience due to its greater variety of question types.

It is important to note, however, that as the IELTS is almost entirely handwritten, more attention must be paid to spelling than on the TOEFL, which, outside of the speaking and writing sections, mostly involves clicking on the answer with your mouse. If you are not confident in your spelling ability, you will likely find the TOEFL to be easier.

Acceptance by universities

The TOEFL is considerably older than the IELTS, and as such, TOEFL is more widely accepted than IELTS is. However, each year, an increasingly larger number of universities around the world chooses to include IELTS as an option for proving English proficiency. Before deciding which test to take, it is important to confirm which tests that the university that you wish to attend accepts.