A non-native English speaker who wants to get admitted to foreign (e.g., the United States, Canada, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand) universities must take either TOEFL or IELTS.Although IELTS is a British/Australian exam and TOEFL is an American one, they’re both accepted internationally. Many students get confused about which test should they take?more commonly which one is easier?TO BE HONEST,IT TOTALLY DEPENDS ON YOU. Here are the characteristics of both the tests which you should take into consideration before deciding whether to take the TOEFL or IELTS.

TOEFL iBT

  • In the speaking section,you deliver your responses to a micro-phone.They record what you say and an examiner assesses it afterwards.
  • In the writing section,TOEFL requires you to TYPE (using keyboard) the essay.So you should have the skill to “Type Relatively Fast”.
  • TOEFLS exam covers only multiple choice question except for writing section.
  • toefl mainly accepts American spelling.
  • You should be proficient at taking notes since this skill is very important in the listening section.You’ll answer the questions after listening a longer lecture or conversation.
  • TOEFL lasts approximately 4 hours.
  • It is graded between 0-120.
  • You can expect to get your result after 10 days of the test date.

IELTS

  • In speaking section,IELTS require you to take this with an examiner face to face.
  • IELTS accepts both Commonwealth and American spelling.
  • IELTS has a much wider range of question types including multiple choice, gap fill, matching exercises, etc.
  • IELTS gives you the opportunity  to answer questions as you listen to the exam.
  • It is graded between 0-9.
  • Speaking tests may be held a few days before or after the Test Date.
  • IELTS lasts about 2 hours 45 minutes.
  • You may expect to get your result 13 calender days after the test date.

Which one is easier?

The answer depends on you.If you have more experience with British English,then you should go on with IELTS.Again,if you’r more comfortable with micro-phone than face to face speaking,you should choose TOEFL.But both tests will grade you accurately according to your level of English. So considering these points,decide yourself which test will be suitable for you.As for me,I took both and it really helps.If you can,try both. For more information on the TOEFL test: TOEFL Official Site For more information on the IELTS test: IELTS Official Site

My personal suggestion on which one you should take:

If you ask me which one I found easier  ,I will say IELTS. I prepared for both IELTS and TOEFL but eventually sat for IELTS.

I’m going to tell you the reasons why I choose IELTS:

  • I’m more comfortable with writing in a paper. Though my typing speed is above 45 words per minute still I prefer paper-based writing.
  • I found IELTS writing tasks a lot easier than TOEFL writing tasks.IELTS writing task generally asks you to describe a graph (task 1) and write an argumentative essay (task 2)
  • TOEFL requires you  to sit in one place for about 4 hours at a stretch which is impossible for me
  • Speaking section: While you deliver your answer before a micro-phone ,the examiner can’t see you.The examiner grade you merely based on your answer. In IELTS you deliver your answer sitting face-to-face in front of the examiner.He gets the opportunity to see your expressions,method of speaking,attitude which have a great impact on your score.

I suggest you to take sample test for both the exams.Then you decide which one will be easier for you.

A SMALL BUT IMPORTANT TIP:

Although most of the US universities nowadays accept IELTS score,there are few prestigious universities which still don’t recognize IELTS as an English proficiency test.In these circumstances,you must take the test which is accepted by the university.TOEFL  is accepted by all the American universities.

here is a list of universities which don’t recognize or accept IELTS :

  • MIT (minimum 90 TOEFL iBT)
  • Yale University (minimum 100 TOEFL iBT)
  • Princeton University
  • Stanford University
  • California Institute of Technology