Which is Easier? IELTS or TOEFL?

Having heard about the announcement that starting November 2014, the TOEFL or the Test of English as a Foreign Language is already accepted in visa applications for Australia, many more Filipinos are given the opportunity to choose which type of English proficiency examination they are going to take. Currently, IELTS or the International English Language Testing System examination is accepted in Australia. With this announcement, Filipinos can now choose between TOEFL and IELTS. But the question is, which one is easier?

To be able to choose which one is easier, let us find out more information about these examinations. First, the TOEFL is a computer-based examination. Candidates will have to use a computer with an internet connection to complete the test. The test has four different sections – reading, listening, speaking and writing. Since it is a computer-based examination, the speaking test is recorded. Tasks can be heard as a recording and responses are recorded and transferred to the test provider’s servers which will then be assessed by its raters. The content of the examination is academic which means topics covering the exam are from school or university subjects like science, art, literature, music, and even history.

On the other hand, the IELTS test is a paper-based examination. Like the TOEFL, it also focuses on the four skills in English: speaking, reading, listening and writing. Candidates are to be use a pen and paper to complete the examination. Having said this, the speaking test is done by a one-on-one interview wherein a candidate has to sit for ten to fifteen minutes with the test examiner. The assessment is right on the spot which brings more anxiety to the one taking the examination. It is not an academic type of test as it uses social context in its questions. This means questions are based on everyday situations and typical conversations in daily lives.

So, which one is easier? If you look at the two exams, they have different context; hence, it is the candidate’s own decision whether to take the TOEFL or the IELTS. The candidate needs to ask himself or herself whether he or she is better at academic topics or in social context. Both tests are easy if you take review classes for them. There are a lot of TOEFL and IELTS training in the country. Both training are designed to let students build, improve and develop their skills for the tests.

Any kind of tests becomes easy with the right preparation and development of skills. Be it TOEFL or IELTS, all you have to do is practice and do your best in the examination.

If you are planning to take IELTS you can go here www.jroozreview.com/ielts-review-center, for TOEFL www.jroozreview.com/toefl-review-center.