Choose English proficiency tests wisely

Vomini Rana 

Students, who wish to pursue higher studies abroad, must take a standardised English test to secure a seat in a reputed institute. This is true even for those who are looking at better employment opportunities abroad. 

There are two major tests that interested candidates can opt for. First is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the other is International English Language Testing System (IELTS). In most cases, the choice is clear. A student applying to a college gets to know which test the programme demands. Some programmes or universities accept scores of both. In this scenario, a student should know which test to choose. While both accurately test your level of English and are widely accepted across thousands of institutions worldwide, the tests are different in their approach, structure and teaching criteria.  

What is IELTS?

The International English Language Testing System or IELTS is an English language test that is used for educational, immigration and occupational purposes, and is accepted by over 10,000 institutions across 140 countries worldwide. Depending on the entry requirements of your study programme, you will have to opt for either the Academic or General training IELTS exam. The countries that accept IELTS are Australia, Canada, UK and New Zealand.

What is TOEFL?

Test of English as a Foreign Language assesses your ability to communicate in English in academic, university and classroom-based settings. It is accepted by over 8,500 institutions across 130 countries. TOEFL is administered by a US-based organisation, the Education Testing Service, and is conducted in American English. This test is more likely to be favoured by American institutes. TOEFL helps secure admissions in countries like UK, USA, and Australia.

The varying exam structure

Speaking: While both exams have a speaking component, the IELTS speaking test is taken face-to-face with an examiner. In the TOEFL exam, you’ll answer six questions into a microphone, which are recorded, and later sent to a group of six reviewers. The IELTS test will take between 11-14 minutes and may not necessarily be on the same day as the other exam components, while the TOEFL will take about 20 minutes and is always on the same day as the rest of the exam. 

Writing: The written component of the TOEFL exam is typed as opposed to the paper-based IELTS exam. TOEFL requires you to complete two tasks, the first is a five-paragraph essay of 300-350 words. For the second task, you have to take notes from a section of text and lecture excerpt on the same topic, and use them to construct a 150-225 word response. The IELTS writing test also has two sections, the first  requires you to summarise  information presented in a graph, chart or table. In the second, you need to write a 200-250 word response to a question that seeks your  opinion. 

Reading: The TOEFL reading test is made up of three-five reading sections. You will have 20 minutes to complete each section that is drawn from academic content you might encounter in a classroom. You will be required to answer a series of multiple-choice questions that will test your understanding of the texts. The IELTS reading test has three sections, also each of 20-minute duration. The test has a wide range of question types, from ‘fill in the gaps’ to short answers. 

Listening

The TOEFL listening test is 40-60 minutes long. You have to listen to excerpts from university lectures or conversations on a university campus. Take notes while listening and answer a series of MCQs afterwards. In the IELTS listening test, students can answer questions while listening to the recordings. Responding to a number of different question types and exercises of different lengths will be a part of the test.

Online Coaching

Online coaching is provided for both IELTS and TOEFL but, the online mode might not be as helpful. One-on-one teaching is often more result oriented.

On your marks

The IELTS is graded on a band system from 1-9, with your overall band being an average of your separate scores in all four tests. Your overall score will be rounded to the nearest half-band, i.e. if your overall average is 6.25, it will be rounded up to a final score of 6.5. TOEFL is a single test that is graded out of 120 points.

As you deem fit

Both the TOEFL and IELTS are equally popular. Taking any one of the tests is compulsory for all those who want to study abroad. Choose IELTS if you want to go for PR or education in countries like Canada, New Zealand, UK, and Australia. Pick TOEFL if you  are aiming at scholarship. The success rate for clearing both IELTS and TOEFL are the same.

—With inputs from Deshraj Thakral