TOEFL vs. IELTS for Indian Students: Which Test Should You Take?

Indian students who want to study abroad must choose between two leading English proficiency tests: IELTS and TOEFL. Their choice depends on their academic background and future goals. IELTS is known for its practical context, while TOEFL is more academic. 

Choosing between IELTS and TOEFL is crucial as each test has distinct structures and scoring systems. Students must research the specific requirements of their targeted institutions and countries. 

This article aims to compare TOEFL and IELTS, helping Indian students choose between the two exams.

What Is the IELTS Test?

IELTS is an internationally standardized test for non-native English speakers. It assesses the language ability of individuals who want to study or work where English is the language of communication. The test consists of four main sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

IELTS scores are widely accepted across the globe:

• Majority of educational institutions in the Canada, UK, Australia, and New Zealand
• Numerous academic programs in the United States
• Various professional organizations
• Immigration authorities in English-speaking countries

What Is the TOEFL Test?

The TOEFL is a standardized test that measures the English proficiency of non-native speakers who want to attend English-speaking universities. Developed by ETS, the test evaluates reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills for academic tasks in English. The test format includes a total score of 0-120, with each section scoring between 0-30.

Countries and institutions that prefer TOEFL scores include:

• Canada: Accepted by universities, especially for graduate and professional schools.
• United States: Highly preferred by universities and colleges for admissions.
• Australia and New Zealand: Recognized by immigration departments and academic institutions.
• United Kingdom: Accepted by universities, albeit increasingly alongside IELTS.
• Other English-speaking countries: Often accepted by institutions where English is the language of instruction.

TOEFL vs. IELTS Comparison

Deciding between TOEFL and IELTS can be challenging for Indian students. 

Understanding the differences in difficulty, objectives, delivery methods, the level of English assessed, test sections, speaking skills, length, results, and costs can significantly assist in making an informed decision.

Difficulty

Both exams assess the English proficiency of non-native speakers and are widely accepted by institutions globally. According to Indian students, the TOEFL is more academic-focused, while the IELTS covers a broader range of scenarios.

When comparing specific sections of each test, the perceptions of difficulty among Indian students are:

Listening:

• TOEFL: Some Indian students find the TOEFL listening section challenging due to North American accents and academically styled conversations and lectures.
• IELTS: The listening section might be perceived as easier since it includes a range of accents, which can be more familiar to Indian students.

Reading:

• TOEFL: Reading passages in TOEFL are described as academic and dense, potentially posing a challenge for those who need to become more familiar with such material.
• IELTS: IELTS reading materials are considered more straightforward and less academic, making this section more accessible.

Writing:

• TOEFL: The writing section, including integrated tasks requiring reading, listening, and writing responses, can be challenging for those not skilled at synthesizing information from multiple sources.
• IELTS: Writing tasks are perceived as less complex, focusing on descriptive and argumentative essays, which may be more familiar to Indian students.

Speaking:

• TOEFL: The speaking section involves recorded responses on the computer, which can be daunting for students who prefer face-to-face interaction.

Objectives

The primary objective of the TOEFL and IELTS tests is to assess the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. While the TOEFL is generally considered more academic, the IELTS test takes a more practical approach. It encompasses a broader range of English skills and contexts.

The specific skills each test focuses on are:

• TOEFL: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking 
• IELTS: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking 

Delivery Method

TOEFL and IELTS offer computer-based and paper-based test delivery methods. TOEFL tests reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills via computer or paper. IELTS has paper-based and computer-delivered options, except for the face-to-face speaking component.

In India, both computer-delivered and paper-based formats are available for IELTS and TOEFL. Computer-delivered IELTS has flexible testing options, with up to 3 daily tests, seven days a week. Paper-based IELTS has 48 fixed test dates each year.

Level of English

TOEFL assesses American English, and its academic orientation requires familiarity with university-level vocabulary. IELTS evaluates British English using a mix of vocabulary from various language levels.

The English language curriculum in Indian schools aims to develop proficiency in English for higher education and professional environments. However, students' English proficiency levels can vary significantly due to diverse education systems and boards across India.

Test Sections

Outline of the different sections in both the TOEFL and IELTS tests:

TOEFL:

• Reading: 3-4 academic passages followed by comprehension questions.
• Listening: Lectures, discussions, and conversations with subsequent questions.
• Speaking: 4 tasks involving expressing opinions on familiar topics and responding to reading and listening tasks.
• Writing: 2 tasks requiring essay responses based on reading and listening tasks, supporting an opinion in writing.

IELTS:

• Listening: Four recorded monologues and conversations.
• Reading:some text
  • Academic IELTS: Three long reading passages with tasks.
  • General Training IELTS: Extracts from various sources like books, magazines, newspapers, etc.
• Writing:some text
  • Academic IELTS: Describing visual information and writing an essay.
  • General Training IELTS: Writing a letter and an essay.
• Speaking: Face-to-face interview with an examiner, including a short speech and a discussion.

Unique sections or tasks:

TOEFL:

• Integrated tasks in speaking and writing sections, requiring synthesis of information from reading and listening excerpts.

IELTS:

• Face-to-face speaking test with a live examiner, simulating real-life conversation.
• The academic and general training versions have different reading and writing sections, with general IELTS training focusing more on everyday language use.

Speaking Skills

TOEFL iBT speaking section is done on a computer and includes 4-6 tasks. The IELTS speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner. Both are evaluated on different criteria.

Indian students may find the TOEFL's computer-based speaking test less daunting because they do not interact with a live examiner. Still, the American English and academic context can be challenging. The conversational format of the IELTS Speaking test may be more comfortable for Indian students. The live interaction in IELTS could also benefit those with good conversational skills.

Length

The TOEFL test lasts 3 hours 30 minutes, including a 10-minute break, and is divided into Reading (60-80 min), Listening (60-90 min), break, Speaking (20 min), and Writing (50 min). The IELTS test takes 2 hours 45 minutes without breaks between the Reading, Listening, and Writing sections.

Indian students must develop good stamina and time management skills to ace TOEFL and IELTS tests. Effective time management is crucial, as they must maintain concentration and performance throughout the entire duration of the test. 

Results

TOEFL scores are returned within 7-10 days for the computer-delivered test. IELTS computer-delivered results arrive in 3-5 days, while paper-based take about 13 days.

TOEFL and IELTS scores are widely accepted by educational institutions and employers globally, including in India. Both tests are recognized as evidence of language ability. They can help Indian students pursue education and employment opportunities worldwide and within India.

Cost

As of 2024, the approximate fee for taking the IELTS exam in India is ₹17,000, while the TOEFL exam costs around ₹16,900. Prices are subject to change and may vary depending on location.

Additional costs for Indian students may include:

• Travel expenses: Transportation to the test center may involve local travel or longer-distance journeys.
• Accommodation: Overnight stays if the test center is far, leading to hotel or lodging expenses.
• Preparation materials: Invest in books, practice tests, online courses, or tutoring.
• Application fees: Fees charged by universities or organizations for processing applications.
• Courier fees: Sending additional official score reports to institutions may incur courier or postage fees.
• Visa application fees: Visa application costs should be considered in the overall budget for students planning to study abroad.

TOEFL and IELTS Sections Compared for Indian Students

For Indian students assessing English language proficiency options, the TOEFL and IELTS exams cover four key areas: Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking. 

Each section is tailored to measure specific language skills that reflect academic and real-world comprehension and communication abilities.

Reading Section

The TOEFL reading section consists of 3-4 passages and questions. It emphasizes academic texts resembling university-level content. 

Oppositely, the IELTS reading section includes various genres ranging from academic texts to more practical, daily-use materials, with three passages.

Tips for Indian students preparing for the reading sections of TOEFL and IELTS tests:

• TOEFL:some text
  • Practice reading academic texts like science articles, literature, and social science pieces.
  • Focus on building a strong vocabulary by learning new words in context and understanding nuances in meaning.
  • Practice unique question types like sentence insertion.
  • Take full-length practice tests under timed conditions to improve stamina.
• IELTS:some text
  • Expand your reading to include non-academic materials such as newspapers and magazines.
  • Practice skimming and scanning to locate information quickly.
  • Focus on specific question types, like matching headings to paragraphs.
  • Develop critical reading skills to infer meaning, understand implicit ideas, and recognize the writer's tone.

Listening Section

The TOEFL and IELTS listening sections evaluate students' ability to understand spoken English in academic settings. The TOEFL includes lectures and conversations, while the IELTS includes recorded monologues and conversations in social and educational contexts.

Strategies for Indian students to improve their listening skills for the TOEFL and IELTS tests:

• Regularly listen to English-language media like news, podcasts, and lectures to expose yourself to various accents.
• Practice with TOEFL and IELTS preparation materials, which include listening exercises, to familiarize yourself with the format and types of questions.
• Watch movies or TV shows in English without subtitles to train your ear to understand different accents and colloquial language.
• Use language learning apps focusing on listening skills with interactive exercises and instant feedback.
• Join English-speaking groups or language exchange meetups.
• Take notes while listening to practice for the TOEFL and to help retain information for both tests.
• Focus on main ideas and supporting details in lectures and conversations, practicing summarization.

Speaking Section

The TOEFL speaking section is computer-based, with six tasks that test delivery, language use, and topic development. The IELTS speaking section is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, consisting of three parts that assess fluency and coherence, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.

Advice for Indian students on improving speaking skills for TOEFL and IELTS:

• Practice speaking English regularly in various contexts to boost confidence and fluency.
• Record yourself speaking on different topics and listen for pronunciation, grammar, and organization improvement.
• Engage in conversations with native speakers or use language exchange platforms for feedback.
• Read aloud to work on pronunciation, rhythm, and stress patterns.
• Take a preparation course on speaking skills for these tests or work with a tutor.
• Watch videos of successful speaking responses to understand examiners' expectations.
• Expand vocabulary and use a range of grammatical structures for more precise and natural expression.

Writing Section

TOEFL writing has two tasks: an integrated task where students read and listen, then express opinions and an independent task where they write an essay. IELTS writing has two tasks - summarizing data and writing an essay responding to an argument.

Writing tips for Indian students:

• Practice writing daily, covering various essay types and topics to enhance expression skills.
• Review sample prompts and model answers to understand TOEFL and IELTS writing formats and expectations.
• Organize essays with clear introductions, body paragraphs, and conclusions, ensuring each section has a main idea and supporting details.
• Develop complex sentence structures and use grammatical structures accurately.
• Expand academic vocabulary to express ideas effectively and meet lexical resource criteria.

TOEFL and IELTS Score Comparison

TOEFL and IELTS are English proficiency tests for non-native speakers. TOEFL scores range from 0 to 120, with separate scores for each skill, while IELTS provides individual scores from 0 to 9 for each skill and an overall band score rounded to the nearest half band.

Comparison of score ranges between TOEFL and IELTS examinations:

‍

IELTS Band Score : TOEFL Score Range

9 : 118-120

8.5 : 115-117

8 : 110-114

7.5 : 102-109

7 : 94-101

6.5 : 79-93

6 : 60-78

5.5 : 46-59

5 : 35-45

4.5 : 32-34

<4 : <32

TOEFL vs IELTS to Study in Canada as an Indian Student

Most Canadian institutions accept TOEFL and IELTS scores as proof of English language proficiency from Indian students. Over 80% of Masters programs in Canada prefer TOEFL scores. However, IELTS is also widely accepted and recognized for immigration and employment purposes in Canada. 

When deciding between TOEFL and IELTS for studying in Canada, Indian students should check the specific requirements of the university and program, consider their strengths and test-taking preference, and consider the availability and dates of the test in their area. Also, the choice of test may depend on their comfort with either American or British English. 

Key Takeaways

• Indian students should consider their academic objectives and preferred learning styles when choosing between the TOEFL and IELTS exams. While TOEFL is more academically oriented, IELTS combines real-life context and British and American English nuances.
• Both exams have four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. The TOEFL tends to be longer in duration, especially with its 300-word essay, compared to the 250-word essay in IELTS.
• For many Indian students, the reading section in IELTS is considered easier than that of the TOEFL. However, due to its academic focus, the TOEFL format can be more challenging.
• The fee structure varies for each test and can be a determining factor for some students. As of 2024, the IELTS exam fee in India ranges from INR ₹16,050 to INR ₹17,250, while the TOEFL exam fee is around INR ₹17,000.

Consider the target institution's preference when choosing between TOEFL and IELTS. Confirm with the university before registering for the test. Allocate enough time for preparation, as understanding the format and content of either exam can significantly impact scores. Practice with relevant materials and exams for comprehensive preparation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is TOEFL Easy for Indian Students?

The TOEFL's difficulty varies for Indian students based on their English proficiency and familiarity with the test format. 

Some face challenges due to the complexity of the American accent, idiomatic usage in the listening section, and the integrated writing task. However, with preparation and practice, Indian students can perform well on the TOEFL.

How Much Does IELTS Cost in India?

The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) fees for Indian students typically range from INR ₹16,050 to INR ₹17,250. 

For detailed fee structures, students can refer to cost breakdowns provided by institutions, such as the IELTS exam fees in India.

Who Is Eligible for IELTS?

IELTS has no strict eligibility criteria, allowing individuals of any age, gender, race, nationality, or religion to register for the test. 

However, it's recommended for those who are at least 16 years old, especially for Indian students who want to study or work where English is the communication language.