 | IELTS | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction (from Wikipedia) | The International English Language Testing System, or IELTS /ˈaɪ.ɛlts/, is an international standardised test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. | Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is a standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers wishing to enroll in U.S. universities. |
| Acronym | IELTS | TOEFL |
| Type | Standardized test. Available in 2 versions: "Academic" and "General training". | Internet-based or paper-based standardized test. |
| Developer / administrator | Cambridge English Language Assessment, British Council, IDP Education. | Educational Testing Service |
| Knowledge/skill(s) tested | Listening, reading, writing and speaking of the English language. | Reading, listening, speaking and writing of the English language. |
| Purpose | To assess the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers. | Testing the English language proficiency of non-native English speakers for academic and other purposes. |
| Duration | Listening: 40 minutes,, Reading: 60 minutes,, Writing: 60 minutes,, Speaking: 11–15 minutes., Total: about 3 hours. | Internet-based test (iBT): 3 hours 10 minutes to 4 hours 20 minutes (excluding 10 minute break in-between)., Paper-based test (PBT): 2 hours 20 minutes to 2 hours 30 minutes. |
| Score/grade range | 0 to 9, in 0.5 band increments. | iBT: 0 to 30 (in 1 point increments) on each of the 4 sections. So total of 0 to 120., PBT: Listening: 31 to 68, Structure: 31 to 69, Reading: 31 to 67. Total of 310 to 677. Writing (separate): 0 to 6. (All in 1 point increments.) |
| Score/grade validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Offered | Multiple times a year. | iBT: More than 50 times a year. |
| Country(ies) / region(s) | More than 900 test centers in over 130 countries. | 4500 test centers in 165 countries. |
| Language(s) | English | English |
| Annual no. of test takers | Over 2 million in 2012. | (?) |
| Prerequisites / eligibility criteria | No official prerequisite. Intended for non-native English speakers. | No official prerequisite. Intended for non-native English speakers. |
| Fee | May vary from centre-to-centre and time-to-time. May accept local currency. Example cost: ₹ 10400 (about US$ 165) in Punjab, India, in April 2015. | iBT: US$ 160 to US$ 250, depending on the country., PBT: US$ 160. |
| Scores/grades used by | More than 8000 education institutions, governments, professional registration bodies and employers worldwide. | Over 9000 universities, agencies and other institutions in over 130 countries. |
| Website | www.ielts.org | www.ets.org/toefl |
Add content for IELTS vs. TOEFL or review and improve the comparison table above.