TOEFL vs. IELTS: What International Students Need to Know

Below are extended descriptions, comparisons, and resources for each exam organized by section.

If you quickly want get an idea of what questions look like on the exams themselves, you can take this sample test from TOEFL or check out these sample questions from IELTS.

You can also see here how TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic scores align, both by section and overall.

Reading Sections

TOEFL

The Reading section of the TOEFL consists of academic texts related to subjects such as science, history, and art. 

The questions following these texts are primarily multiple-choice. Some questions ask students to insert a sentence in a text or combine sentences to form a summary. All questions test comprehension, vocabulary, and the ability to make inferences from the passage. 

Here is some helpful practice advice along with sample questions and answers for each Reading section question type:

Factual and Negative Factual Information 

Inference and Rhetorical Purpose

Vocabulary

Sentence Simplification

Insert Text

Prose Summary

IELTS

The IELTS Reading section includes a mix of different academic texts from a variety of sources.

The types of questions here are more varied than the TOEFL, too. In addition to multiple choice questions, they include matching headings, identifying true or false statements, and fill-in-the-blank tasks based on diagrams. 

Here is a helpful introduction from the British Council with question types, strategies, and tips for the IELTS Academic Reading section.

Listening Sections

TOEFL

In the TOEFL Listening section, the content primarily features academic lectures and conversations set within a university environment. 

These are often longer and are followed by multiple-choice questions. 

The questions test understanding of academic language and the ability to extract and summarize main ideas and supporting details. 

Here is some helpful practice advice along with sample questions and answers for each Listening section question type:

Gist-Purpose and Gist-Content

Detail

Function

Attitude

Organization

Connecting Content

Inference

IELTS

The IELTS Listening section covers a broad variety of forms, including everyday conversations, phone calls, instructions, and academic lectures. 

The IELTS section is divided into four parts that increase in difficulty. It also features a number of different English accents. This variety is specifically designed to test students’ comprehension in both everyday and academic settings, with a particular emphasis on understanding different contexts and spoken styles.

Here is a helpful introduction from the British Council with tips and practice questions for the IELTS Academic Speaking section.

Speaking Sections

TOEFL

The TOEFL Speaking section consists of four tasks. One of these tasks is independent and requires test-takers to express personal ideas or experiences. 

The other three are different varieties of integrated tasks. Here, candidates must respond based on reading and listening material. 

Responses in TOEFL are recorded and graded by multiple evaluators to ensure fairness. All responses are submitted via a microphone. This creates a more controlled and isolated environment for the test-taker compared to the IELTS. 

Here is some helpful practice advice along with sample questions and answers for each Listening section question type:

Independent Speaking

Integrated Speaking (Question 2)

Integrated Speaking (Questions 3-4)

IELTS

The IELTS Speaking section is much different because it involves a face-to-face interview with an examiner. 

The section is divided into three parts: introductory questions, a discussion on a particular topic, and a more extended conversation. 

The IELTS test simulates a real-world interview, so candidates engage in a natural, interactive dialogue directly with the examiner.

Here is a helpful introduction from the British Council with tips and practice questions for the IELTS Academic Speaking section.

Writing Sections

TOEFL

The TOEFL Writing section consists of two tasks. The first is an integrated task. It requires students to write a response based on information from both a passage and an audio lecture. The second task is independent. It asks students to write a short essay responding to a prompt. 

Both tasks require well-organized responses that synthesize academic content. 

Here is some helpful practice advice along with sample questions and answers for each Listening section question type:

Integrated Writing

Writing for an Academic Discussion

IELTS

The IELTS Writing section also includes two tasks, but it focuses more on analytical skills in the first task. It asks test takers to describe a graph, chart, or diagram and present it clearly in written form. 

The second task is an opinion essay. Here, students are required to take a stance on a given topic and argue their viewpoint in a structured and coherent way. 

Here is a helpful introduction from the British Council with tips and practice questions for the IELTS Academic Writing section.

Choosing the Right Test

So if you are an international student thinking about which test to begin preparing for, what are the most significant differences you should consider? 

Take a closer look below at five major ones that can help make the decision easier.

1. Institution/Location Preference 

Historically, the TOEFL has been more commonly accepted by schools in the United States, while the IELTS has been more widely accepted in countries such as the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. 

Today, many schools across the world accept either one as proof of English proficiency. However, some schools may accept or prefer only one, so it is important to check the admissions requirements of your program before deciding.

2. Familiarity with Accents

A big difference between the TOEFL and IELTS is the accents you hear in the Listening section. 

The TOEFL mainly uses North American accents, while the IELTS features several different accents from across English speaking countries. 

If you are used to hearing a certain accent when consuming English language media, you might find the Listening part of one test easier than the other.

3. Test Length

The length of the test can also affect your choice between the TOEFL and IELTS. 

Until recently, the TOEFL iBT was longer than the IELTS Academic exam. Today, however, the TOEFL is significantly shorter: it is now under two hours, while the IELTS Academic is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

This can make a big difference in how tiring the test feels. If you think you may struggle with a longer test, the TOEFL might be a better option for you.

4. Comfort with Live Interview

The IELTS Academic’s live interview portion can be an advantage for students who feel comfortable talking to someone face-to-face. Others may feel it is actually more stressful than completing a Speaking section on a computer.

The TOEFL iBT’s Speaking section — where you talk into a microphone, and the answers are recorded — is more structured than the IELTS in some ways, but it places the burden of speaking entirely on you.

Think about whether you feel comfortable speaking directly with someone or prefer using a computer.

5. Reading Section Question Format

The way you answer questions in the Reading section is another important difference. The TOEFL Reading section uses multiple-choice questions that mostly focus on finding specific details in the text.

On the IELTS, the questions are more varied and can even include completion of diagrams or text features like section headings. This means you have to think about information in different ways. 

If you prefer more conventional questions, the TOEFL may feel simpler and more straightforward. If you find variety more engaging, you may find the IELTS to be a better fit.