Hey guys,
Read this
Which is Better: the TOEFL or the IELTS?
For many years, the TOEFL has remained the exam preferred by most U.S. institutions for measuring the English language skills of potential students from non-English speaking countries. Worldwide, this hasn't been the case. Another test, the IELTS, has been the exam required by most other English-speaking countries, including Britain and Australia, and is often considered to be the only test that can compete with the TOEFL in the United States. The appeal of the IELTS
With its live, one-on-one component, The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is viewed by many as a superior exam for evaluating the spoken English skills of potential students. Until recently, the TOEFL had no such component and many of the countries requiring the IELTS felt that a speech component to an English proficiency exam was crucial. Whether or not the IELTS is a better exam really seems to be a matter of opinion. However, its acceptance as an assessment tool has grown in the United States in recent years. In addition to the TOEFL, more than 800 U.S. schools now accept the IELTS as well.. For the most part, the choice of which test to take is up to you. The TOEFL catches up
So, which test is better? It depends on who you ask! Some schools remain firmly devoted to the IELTS and its interactive, personalized-speech format. On the other hand, the TOEFL gained some ground globally when it introduced its Internet-based test format with a new recorded speech portion. With both tests now offering the ability to test spoken language, and the TOEFL spreading its Internet-based testing ability across the globe, the TOEFL has seen upward spikes in number of users in various parts of the world. What do you need?
Internet-based testing is a feat that is just beginning for the IELTS. However, many test prep and coaching companies exist worldwide that prepare students for the current IELTS format (which is expected to stay around for at least a few more years.) The new TOEFL, on the other hand, has coaching companies stumped for now. Certainly, both tests offer sample materials to potential test-takers, but if you can prep for one with a professional test coach, you may prefer the IELTS as long as the schools you're applying to will accept it. Talking the talk
As far as speech evaluation goes, there is no definitive rule on which test is better. Some say the individualized IELTS format is great, while others think there's a potential for bias and an even greater chance of inconsistency in scoring due to individual nuances of the examiners. Critics of the IELTS believe that the panel review of recorded speech for the TOEFL is a more accurate, less biased mechanism for evaluation. The choice is probably yours
Ultimately, the test you take will probably be guided by which test your choice schools request. If both are acceptable, availability of testing locations and cost will probably play a significant role in your decision. Both tests have websites that can answer many of your questions and which maintain up-to-date news on the progression of their Internet-based test expansions. For most testing dates and locations, you can register online as well as access sample test materials and tips on how to do your best.TOEFL Equivalency TableUpdated:
