If you speak English as a second language and are applying for jobs or educational programs in an English-speaking country, you’ve likely heard about both IELTS and TOEFL. These are two very different exams, but both of them allow test-takers to demonstrate their English-speaking abilities and help employers or graduate programs to determine which applicants could keep up with a heavy workload in an English-speaking environment.
IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System, and is a widely accepted test among English-speaking countries around the world, including: the US, UK, New Zealand, Australia, and others. It comes in two formats: the academic version and the general testing version.
TOEFL stands for the Test of English as a Foreign Language, and is similarly used by various programs around the world. The TOEFL exam is longer than IELTS and includes a different scoring system. For most test-takers, the TOEFL exam will be slightly more difficult than the IELTS test.
Although these exams share the same goal, their sections, scoring systems, and prices are just a few of the many differences that set them apart from each other. To learn more about what separates these examinations in detail, you should check out our IELTS vs. TOEFL comparison page, which can help you determine what exam will be the best option for you!