IELTS and TOEFL exams: why are they needed and how are they taken? Difference between IELTS and TOEFL structure. Notes while listening

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IELTS logo

IELTS is the most commonly used English language test for study and immigration in the UK, Canada, Australia and New Zealand (the rival TOEFL test is most popular in the US.) Immigration Canada accepts IELTS test scores but does not accept TOEFL scores.

In 2012, 2 million people took IELTS and the popularity of IELTS is growing every year.

IELTS is owned by three organizations:

• Cambridge ESOL Examinations
• IDP: IELTS Australia.

There are three versions of the test:

Certificate Academic IELTS used for admission to schools, colleges and universities in the UK, Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, the USA and other countries whose educational institutions teach in English.

Availability of certificate General Training IELTS(sometimes Academic IELTS) is required for anyone wishing to immigrate to Canada, Australia and New Zealand under the professional migration system.

IELTS Life Skills are equivalent to speaking and listening at level A1 or B1 on the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference) scale.

The certificate is required when obtaining a work visa to the UK, and for other purposes related to studying, living or working in an English-speaking society.

According to 2012 data, 8,000 organizations in 135 countries recognize IELTS results. The number of organizations is growing every year.

900 test centers in 130 countries around the world organize and conduct IELTS. Academic IELTS is administered 48 times a year. General - 24 times a year. The cost of the exam and specific test dates vary depending on the location and pricing policy of each center.

The IELTS result is scored on a scale from 0 to 9 points.

The candidate finds out his result online and/or receives it at the test center on the 13th day after passing. The certificate includes assessment in four test modules:

• Listening (listening skills);
• Reading (reading skills);
• Writing (written English skills);
• Speaking (speaking English skills)

and Overall Score Band.

The test result is valid for two years from the date of receipt.

Test format

IELTS takes approximately 3 hours. Consists of four modules:

• Listening (approximately 40 minutes)
• Reading (60 minutes)
• Writing (60 minutes)
• Speaking (11-14 minutes)

The first three modules (Listening, Reading, Writing) are always taken on the same day in the above sequence without a break between them. The total duration including technical breaks is 180 minutes. The test taker has the right to bring a plastic bottle of water with him. The bottle should be transparent. Labels must be removed.

Speaking can be scheduled either on the same day or within a few days before or after the exam. The date and time for taking IELTS Speaking depends on the workload of the test center and the number of available staff (IELTS examiners).

Listening

IELTS Listening is a system for testing English listening comprehension skills.

Total duration of IELTS Listening: 40 minutes

Before testing begins, the candidate receives a Listening Question Booklet and a Listening Answer Sheet.

Listening consists of 40 questions, which are divided into four sections according to the principle from simple to complex.

The first 30 minutes of the test require you to read the questions, listen to the audio recording, and write your answers in the test booklet. Information is provided for listening only once. An additional 10 minutes is given to transfer the answers from the booklet to the examination paper.

Listening is the same for both academic IELTS and general.

Reading

IELTS Reading is a system for testing reading skills in English.

Total duration of IELTS Reading: 60 minutes

Reading consists of 40 questions. There are two versions of this module: Academic and General Test.

IELTS Academic Reading includes 3 sections. Each section consists of one text, ranging from 650 to 1000 characters. All texts are academic, taken from magazines, newspapers and books. IELTS General Training Reading is also divided into 3 parts. Each part consists of one, two or three short texts on general topics.

Reading does not provide additional time to complete the Reading Answer Sheet.

Writing

IELTS Writing is a system for testing written English language skills.

Total duration of IELTS Writing: 60 minutes

IELTS Writing consists of two tasks. There are two versions of this module: Academic and General Test.

IELTS Academic Writing:

• first task (from 150 words) - description of a graph or graphic drawing (report);

IELTS General Training Writing:

• first task (from 150 words) - writing a letter (formal, semi-official or informal);
• the second task (from 250 words) is an essay.

Speaking

IELTS Speaking is a system for testing spoken English skills and general skills in conducting dialogue and monologue in English.

Total duration of IELTS Speaking: 11 to 14 minutes

The IELTS Speaking exam is conducted by the examiner alone with the candidate. The conversation is recorded on audio media. Speaking consists of 3 parts:

Difference between Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS

The difference between Academic IELTS and General Training IELTS lies in two modules: Reading and Writing.

IELTS Certificate

Since 1989, the appearance of the IELTS certificate has changed several times.

At this time, thicker paper is used, a personal photo of the candidate has been added, and scores are displayed in a new format.

IELTS Certificate Example (IELTS Test Report Form Sample)

1. IELTS test version (Academic Module or General Training Module).
2. IELTS test date.
3. Candidate's photo.
4. Scores for each IELTS section and overall score.
5. Stamp of the test center where the exam was conducted. IELTS Quality Seal.
6. Information about the examiners who checked and assessed the candidate’s Writing and Speaking work.
7. A unique certificate number that is used for authentication by organizations with appropriate access.
8. New names and logos of co-owners - IELTS partners.

IELTS scoring system

IELTS uses a scoring system from 0.0 to 9.0, in increments of 0.5.

The IELTS result consists of scores for each of the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking, and also provides an overall average score.

IELTS grading scale

Below is a standard 9-point scale for assessing English language skills using the IELTS system.

9.0 Expert User

He speaks the language perfectly. Demonstrates absolute understanding in any situation.

8.0 Very good user

Fully speaks the language, with the exception of some inaccuracies. In some uncharacteristic situations, misunderstanding may appear. Able to argue his position in detail.

7.0 Good user

He speaks the language well, despite some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. Demonstrates overall good command of the language and a clear detailed understanding.

6.0 Competent user

Has a generally good command of the language despite possible inaccuracies, inconsistencies and misunderstandings. Can use and understand fairly complex language, especially in familiar situations.

5.0 Moderate user

Has limited command of the language, generally demonstrates understanding of most situations, although he makes many mistakes. Capable of basic communication.

4.0 Restricted user

Basic knowledge of the language is limited to standard situations. Often has problems with complex language structures.

3.0 Extremely restricted user

Demonstrates only a rough understanding of very standard situations.

2.0 User "intermittently"

In reality, communication is impossible, except in the most standard situations using single words and short formulations.

1.0 Not proficient in the language

Generally unable to use language except for a few isolated words.

0 Didn't try to pass the test

How Listening and Reading are assessed

The IELTS Listening and Reading score is determined based on the number of correct answers. Wrong answers are not taken into account.

Below is a Listening and Reading scoring table as an example of how the number of correct answers in the Listening and Reading sections can be converted into a final IELTS Listening and Reading score. This table is an approximate estimate.

Sample scoring system for IELTS Listening and Reading.

For each Listening and Reading test, its own rating scale is created depending on the complexity of the texts, questions and audio materials. Since academic texts are more difficult, in the academic version of the test in the Reading section you can score fewer correct answers to get the same score as in the general version of the test.

How is Writing assessed?

IELTS Writing is assessed based on four parameters. Each of the parameters carries 25% of the score.

• Contents (TA - Task Achievement and TR - Task Response (for the second task)

This criterion takes into account how completely, accurately and correctly the answer to a given topic was given. Ideas and consistency of information in the disclosure of the topic are assessed.

• Cohesion and coherence (CC - Cohesion/Coherence)

Clarity of presentation of thoughts, correct structure, coherence of sentences and phrases with each other.

• Lexical (LR - Lexical Resource)

Diversity of vocabulary and ability to apply it in context are assessed.

• Grammar (GRA- Grammatical Range and Accuracy)

The variety, complexity and accuracy of grammatical structures are assessed.

How is Speaking assessed?

IELTS Speaking is assessed based on four parameters. Each of the parameters carries 25% of the score.

• Fluency and Cohesion

How fluently, naturally and coherently the answers to the questions are constructed.

• Lexical Resource

The variety of vocabulary and the ability to use it in context are assessed.

• Grammar (Grammatical Range and Accuracy)

The variety, complexity and accuracy of grammatical structures are assessed.

• Pronunciation

How accurately and clearly individual sounds, words, phrases and sentences are pronounced. The phonetic specifics of the English language and intonation (“music of language”) are also taken into account.

IELTS Overall Band Score

The overall IELTS score (Overall Band Score) is calculated as the arithmetic mean of the sum of the results in four test modules: Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking.

The total score is rounded to the nearest whole or half point.

The following rounding principle is used:

if the arithmetic mean of the sum over four modules ends in:

• number .25, then it is rounded to the nearest half point (.5)
• number .75 is then rounded to the nearest full point (.0).

For example:

if the candidate received

• Listening: 6.5
• Reading: 6.5
• Writing: 5.0
• Speaking: 7.0

then the total score will be 6.5 (25 ÷ 4 = 6.25 = score 6.5)

if the candidate received

• Listening: 4.0
• Reading: 3.5
• Writing: 4.0
• Speaking: 4.0

then the total score will be 4.0 (15.5 ÷ 4 = 3.875 = score 4.0).

However, if the candidate received

• Listening: 6.5
• Reading: 6.5
• Writing: 5.5
• Speaking: 6.0

then the total score will be 6.0 (24.5 ÷ 4 = 6.125 = score 6.0).

IELTS Score Statistics

As of 2007, the countries with the best scores in the Academic category were:

Who checks IELTS papers and where?

Each work is checked at the place where IELTS is taken.

The Listening and Reading exam papers are computer scanned. The results are then checked by specialists called clerical markers. To confirm their qualifications, they undergo regular training every two years.

Each test center systematically monitors and double checks a certain percentage of randomly selected works.

IELTS Writing is assessed by a licensed IELTS Writing examiner.

IELTS Speaking is assessed by a licensed IELTS Speaking examiner.

IELTS Examiners

An IELTS Examiner is an internationally qualified English language teacher (TEF/TESOL) who is licensed to accept and score IELTS Speaking and/or IELTS Writing. A license is issued after a 4-day training at any of the test centers.

Every two years the examiner is tested to confirm his qualifications. Examiners also take part in regular additional training.

Exam quality and objectivity of results

According to the official statement, the key to success in IELTS is four factors:

• quality and reliability of results
• demand
• reliability
• practicality

The quality of the test is based on 40 years of experience in scientific research in linguistics, the practical application of various testing options, the introduction of innovative techniques and the active use of new technologies.

All IELTS co-owner partners take part in the improvement and popularization of IELTS.

When working on IELTS tests, the following factors are taken into account:

• scientific achievements in linguistics
• language pedagogy
• language certification
• new information technologies

All studies are divided into internal and external. Internal research is carried out by a specially organized team from Cambridge ESOL, and external research is carried out as part of the IELTS Research Program, which is jointly funded by the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia.

Since 1995, at least 130 research staff have been involved in 90 external research projects around the world. The result of their work was publications that influenced the further organization and conduct of IELTS tests.

No bias in IELTS topics and tasks

IELTS test materials are created for all candidates, regardless of their nationality, age, gender or native language. Topics and language that may be perceived as biased against any social group are strictly prohibited. The IELTS material pre-testing process is carried out, in part, to ensure that the test topics are relevant to the cultures of all countries in which IELTS is administered.

IELTS for people with disabilities

To ensure the greatest accessibility of the test and the objectivity of the assessment of knowledge and skills, IELTS provides the following options for people with low vision, hearing or physical disabilities:

Appeal

If a candidate does not agree with their IELTS results, they can apply to have their results reviewed.

This process is called an appeal (Inquiry on Results).

You can file an appeal within six weeks from the test date. The application is accepted only at the testing location.

The candidate can choose which parts of the test need to be retested.

This service is paid, but the cost is fully reimbursed if the score on at least one test module is increased.

The appeal process lasts 6 to 8 weeks .

Difference between IELTS and other tests

List of other international English tests:

• American tests:

A comparative description of English language certification systems in Russia and other post-Soviet states with international tests is given conditionally to show the approximate relationship between the level of English language proficiency and grades. A literal comparison of the English language assessment system in the CIS and the international testing system is impossible due to different assessment principles.

History of IELTS

1960−1979 - EPTB test

EPTB - English Proficiency Test Battery - Test to determine the level of the English language

1980 - ELTS test

The ELTS test was developed - The English Language Testing Service - English Language Testing Service. This test replaced the EPTB and changed the principle of testing English language skills. ELTS used an innovative modular testing system method.

1989 - first IELTS session

A number of modifications were made, resulting in a new name for the test and a change in its format. The first IELTS test was conducted.

1995 - new IELTS format

In April 1995, the existing test format was changed to make it more objective and accessible to candidates.

2001 - new IELTS Speaking format

The format of the speaking part of the test (IELTS Speaking) has been changed.

2005 - new assessment format for IELTS Writing

The principle of assessing the written part of the test (IELTS Writing) has been changed.

2006 - the 90-day limit was lifted

The restriction that prevented students from taking IELTS more than once every 90 days was lifted. From now on, IELTS can be taken an unlimited number of times in accordance with the proposed test dates.

Rising popularity of IELTS In 1999, 80 thousand people passed IELTS over a period of 12 months. In 2007, the number of candidates exceeded 1 million people.

Creation and production of IELTS tests

The material for each IELTS test is unique. No two versions of the test are the same. Previous test material is never repeated in subsequent IELTS tests.

Hundreds of people are involved in the production of IELTS materials. The production process for each test can take from several months to several years.

IELTS materials are based on the ethical standards described in the documents of the European Association of Language Testers (ALTE - the Association of Language Testers in Europe), and in the Cambridge ESOL document “Principles of Good Practice”.

Stages of production of IELTS materials

Writing materials

Teams of English language specialists located in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States are constantly working on the process of creating materials for IELTS tests, the so-called “test items”. These professionals follow the IELTS format specifications and requirements when selecting topics and question types.

Pre-editing

This process is the first stage of editing work created by “test component” writers. This step ensures that the content and type of questions matches the IELTS format criteria.

Editing

Analysis and collection of information after preliminary editing, which is then sent to the authors for processing and corrections.

Preliminary testing

The pre-testing process is carried out at various academic institutions, test centers or language schools partnering with test centers in order to find out:

• the ethics of the tests created;
• practicality of the created tests;
• perception of the test by candidates with different levels of English proficiency.

The results and performance report for each test are then sent to professionals in the IELTS research group run by Cambridge ESOL Examinations.

If materials do not pass testing, they are sent for revision and re-review. If the testing is successful, the materials are sent to the “Banking of Material”.

Compliance

Additional testing is carried out for the Listening and Reading tests to standardize the test rating scale according to its difficulty.

Collection of finished tests and evaluation

At regular meetings of IELTS specialists, all materials are collected into four test modules, and a complete test is formed. The following factors are taken into account:

• the average complexity of the test version, as well as the variety of complex and simple “test components”;
• variety of language skills tested;
• balance of types of tasks;
• balance of topics and discussions;
• the variety of voices and accents used in the Listening versions.

Data is collected regularly after tests and analyzed to check the accuracy and objectivity of the assessment.

Protection against fraud and corruption

IELTS provides a multi-level system of protection against fraud and corruption.

Protection methods

Licensed test centers

IELTS can only be taken at licensed test centers, each of which undergoes a thorough selection process and agrees to the terms and conditions of the test. A company can become a test center by obtaining a license from the co-owners of IELTS.

Protection against potential corruption in test centers

One of the licensing conditions is consent to an audit. During the actual IELTS exam, a quality control specialist may be present at the test to ensure that the exam conditions comply with IELTS standards.

As part of this program, there is also a mutual exchange of specialists between the two IELTS partners: representatives of the British Council visit test centers with an IDP license: IELTS Australia, and representatives of the Australian organization visit test centers of the British Council.

Protection against document and identity forgery

During the IELTS test, candidates are required to go through several stages of identification.

Before the test, as well as during the test, the candidate is required to provide a document confirming his identity.

During registration before the exam, each candidate is photographed at the test center. This photograph is used throughout the IELTS test as evidence that the same person is taking all parts of the IELTS test.

Some test centers additionally use a biometric system, which eliminates identity substitution through fingerprinting.

Protection against material fraud

Each test center has only a limited number of qualified professionals who have access to IELTS materials on the day of the test. Each version of the test is a unique combination of new questions, which is taken from the IELTS material bank - it is impossible to predict or know the test questions in advance.

Write-off protection

Before the start of the test, all seats in the examination room are allocated by the organizers of the test center without the knowledge or participation of the candidates, accordingly, candidates can only take a seat according to the distribution.

According to IELTS standards, each candidate must be seated at a separate desk at a clearly established distance from other candidates.

During the test, there is always at least one representative of the test center in the examination room, who conducts the examination and monitors the proper behavior of candidates.

Protection against test results fraud

An automatic system for searching for inconsistencies in candidate results has been organized. If an abnormal trend is detected, the candidate, the test center and the organization under whose license the test center operates are notified. In such cases, a decision is made that entails the cancellation of the results or more serious penalties.

IELTS certificate counterfeit protection

Organizations requiring IELTS results have access to the online IELTS results database, where they can find proof of the certificate's authenticity by entering the individual document code found in the lower right corner of the issued certificate.

IELTS Fraud Cases

One of the most serious cases of fraud occurred in 2011, which resulted in several people being jailed. This case became publicized as the Kurtinsky incident.

Kurtinsky incident

A system administrator at Curtin University in Australia used the passwords of staff at the university's IELTS test center to modify IELTS results in the database without the knowledge of the test center staff.

The case of this fraud was discovered thanks to an automatic system for searching for inconsistencies and anomalies in the test results. In August 2011, the court sentenced the system administrator to 2 years in prison.

In addition to him, nine more people were found guilty and imprisoned for complicity in the scam.

Other fraud cases

There have been known attempts to spoof identities and use false documents in India and China. However, with the introduction of fingerprinting, this method of fraud was eliminated.

Where and when testing is carried out

There are 900 test centers in 130 countries that are licensed to conduct IELTS. The number of testing centers is growing every year.

Academic IELTS test centers can conduct 48 times a year, and General Training IELTS - 24 times a year. The test is carried out three times a month on Saturdays and once a month on Thursdays.

IELTS test dates

Test centers may choose all or only some of the proposed delivery dates. The choice is determined by the demand for IELTS in each specific region and city.

Test dates can be obtained from the official IELTS website.

IELTS test centers in the CIS

Russia

Since 2008, the exam in Russia has been conducted by three independent organizations:

• BKC-IH Moscow IELTS Center in partnership with the British Council

Tests are carried out in Moscow and central regions of Russia.

• Students International IELTS test center

Tests are carried out in Moscow, St. Petersburg and the North-West region of the Russian Federation, as well as in the Urals, Siberia and the East of the Russian Federation.

• Lt-Pro examination center for IELTS in St. Petersburg

Tests are carried out in St. Petersburg and the northwestern regions of Russia.

All of these organizations are licensed to conduct IELTS by the owners of the British Council exam and IDP: IELTS Australia.

Ukraine

• British Council (since 1992)
• Students International IELTS test center Ukraine (since 2010)

Kazakhstan

• British Council
• Interpress test center

Other CIS and Baltic countries

Azerbaijan

• British Council
• GRBS test center

Armenia

• British Council

Belarus

• International House

Georgia

• British Council

Kyrgyzstan

no test center

Latvia

• Baltic Union for International Education

Lithuania

• British Council

Moldova

no test center

Tajikistan

no test center

Turkmenistan

no test center

Uzbekistan

• British Council

Estonia

• Language Center of Tallinn University

IELTS Preparation

Who is eligible to prepare for IELTS

There are currently no official criteria or licenses for IELTS teachers.

The following branches of the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia prepare candidates for IELTS:

• IELTS examiners
• specialists who have an international English teaching qualification (TEFL/TESOL) and/or a certificate of their own IELTS with a score of 8.0-9.0.

IELTS preparation methods

There are several options for preparing for IELTS:

Official IELTS preparation centers

Cambridge ESOL Examinations does not run IELTS preparation courses. Only IELTS holders - the British Council and IDP: IELTS Australia - can be considered official IELTS preparation centers.

There are no other official preparation centers because there are no licenses to confirm the very concept of an “official IELTS preparation center”.

All IELTS preparation courses offered by any other organization, licensed test center or language school are unofficial IELTS preparation courses (other than those mentioned above).

IELTS Preparation Materials

Official IELTS preparation books

In recent years, many books on IELTS preparation have appeared. The most popular of these is the Cambridge University Press series of books - Cambridge IELTS 1-9, which contain former IELTS tests.

In addition to Cambridge University Press, IELTS preparation materials are also published by Longman, Oxford University Press, Macmillan, and others.

Official electronic versions of IELTS preparation materials On the websites of IELTS owners you can find free and paid electronic versions of preparation materials. By paying for the IELTS exam from the British Council, each candidate receives access to a free online IELTS preparation course called Road to IELTS.

Criticism of IELTS

IELTS is often criticized by candidates who fail to achieve the required score after multiple attempts, even with a high level of English proficiency. [ ]

IELTS Study Requirements

About 51% of candidates take the IELTS test to study abroad. Specific requirements may vary by institution. However, in general, English-speaking countries require a score of 6.5.

United States

The highest requirements - 8.5 points - are set at Columbia University's School of Journalism, which is the only one in the world that imposes such requirements.

The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law requires an 8.0 GPA.

MIT requires a 7.0.

Saint Louis University requires a 6.0 GPA.

United Kingdom

Since 20 February 2015, the British Council has divided the exam into 2 main branches: IELTS and IELTS for UKVI, which differ in content, cost and purpose. This change practically did not affect applicants applying to study at British universities, but it did affect the requirements for other categories of visas:

The University of Warwick has the highest requirements - 8.0 points - for a Doctor of Science in Marketing degree. Most schools have requirements ranging from 5.5 to 7.0.

Germany

The University of Stuttgart requires a minimum score of 6.0, as do most German institutions.

Italy

The Polytechnic University of Turin requires a score of 5.0. Polytechnic University of Milan - 6.0. Most Italian universities require 7.0

Kazakhstan

For admission to the Turin Polytechnic University in Tashkent and Inha University in Tashkent, a certificate with a minimum of 5.0 points is also required (this result is considered the norm for many technical universities in the world) [ ] .

When entering a master's program at state universities, the bearer of an IELTS certificate with an overall score of 5 or more automatically receives the maximum possible score (50) for the foreign language exam [ ] .

IELTS for immigration purposes

A number of British Commonwealth countries use this exam as evidence of an immigrant's proficiency in English.

Australia

Australian immigration authorities have used IELTS since May 1998. In general, it is advisable for candidates for independent migration to demonstrate proficiency in English of at least 7.0 points in the IELTS assessment in each section. The minimum level is 6.0 points in each section. This minimum means that the immigration applicant will score less on the test assessing his suitability for immigration.

Citizens of English-speaking countries (United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, USA, Republic of Ireland) can choose to get the minimum level without any tests, or take IELTS to get additional points.

New Zealand

New Zealand has used IELTS since 1995. Applicants must achieve an overall Academic or General score of at least 6.5 points (excluding temporary visas). The candidate can also confirm their level of language proficiency by providing information about citizenship and residence in another English-speaking country or studying in English for 2 years. Other evidence may be considered, but immigration authorities may require a certificate regardless. The applicant's partner and children must demonstrate a level of English language proficiency of at least the equivalent of 5.0 IELTS or prepay an ESOL tuition course in the amount of $1,735 to $6,795 depending on the level of language proficiency.

Canada

Example of calculating Canadian immigration points for English. When receiving IELTS scores:

• Listening 7.5
• Reading 7.0
• Writing 6.0
• Speaking 6.5

The candidate will score: 5 (LT7.5) + 6 (RD7.0) + 4 (WR6.0) + 5 (SP6.5) = 20 Canadian immigration points.

United Kingdom

Depending on the type of immigration program, a GPA of 4.5 to 6.5 is required. An alternative would be a university degree from an institution where the majority of instruction was conducted in English.

See also

Notes

1. Official website IELTS.org: Information for candidates. What is IELTS.
2. . www.cic.gc.ca. Retrieved September 19, 2015.
3. Official website IELTS.org: Press center
4. Official website IELTS.org: Information about the organization
5. IELTS for UKVI.

The abbreviation IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System - this is a kind of language proficiency test for those who plan to move permanently to English-speaking countries, or go there for study or work purposes.

In recent years, the number of large companies that accept IELTS test results has been growing inexorably. This is due, first of all, to the quality of the results of this exam, because it is simply impossible to cheat, cheat and pass without knowing the language.

It is worth considering that if you are going to go to the USA, then it is better for you to take the TOEFL test, it is very similar to IELTS, but was developed by American professors and is more adapted to American English than to British.

The exam consists of 4 stages: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

Listening assumes that you will be given the opportunity to listen to some text, usually a conversation between several people, after which you need to answer questions about what you heard, which will be given to you in the form. For example, the address of an institution will be heard in the audio recording. You will need to add the street or house number that was said on the form. The difficulty is that you have no guarantee that you will be close to the player and hear the text well and clearly. Such interference is created specifically in order to determine the level of your listening comprehension of English speech under external circumstances. After all, if you study or work in an English-speaking country, there will not be constant silence around you, and you will have to take in a lot of information, regardless of the noise around you.

Reading. 60 minutes are allotted for this part of the exam. You will also be given a form with questions about the text, which you will have to answer in writing. Here it is important to learn how to skim through the text, be able to highlight the main points, and scan the text for answers to questions. If you just calmly read the text, there is a big risk of not meeting the regulations. You won't be required to read anything out loud here.

On the written part You will be required to demonstrate your skills by expressing your thoughts in writing. They often offer to describe a graph, what is reflected on it and what forecasts you can make based on its data. You will also be required to write your opinions on a specific topic (here the ability to clearly express your thoughts is tested). This is a rather difficult stage in the exam and it is better to work hard with a tutor on this part.

Another part that will require serious preparation with a tutor is speaking. This is where you demonstrate your ability to calmly communicate on various topics, the ability to convey thoughts to your interlocutor, and improvise, adapting to the situation. Unfortunately, a strong knowledge of English at school is not enough here and you need a specialist who will train your pronunciation and ability to communicate on various topics. It’s not bad if it’s a native speaker or a person who has passed a similar exam himself. Here you will find those who themselves have an IELTS certificate and are ready to help you obtain it. You can see the list of our native speaking tutors who will help you get the correct English pronunciation. By the way, an Englishman will take your exam, so it’s worth studying with a native speaker, if only to make sure that you understand his fluent speech and can freely conduct a dialogue.

What does the certificate provide?IELTSin Russia? This certificate will allow you to work in any field that requires good knowledge of the language. This could be either marketing or teaching English as a tutor.

Below is a table of points that are assigned when passing the exam and their significance in determining the language level.

Get ready for IELTS with our online tutors and achieve success!

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International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are international level exams that test knowledge of English as a foreign language. It would seem that choosing one of the two exams is not difficult, because both test knowledge of the English language. But first impressions are deceiving, and they are completely different. The question arises: “What to take: IELTS or TOEFL?” In this article, we looked at the features of TOEFL and IELTS, which will help you understand which exam you need to take.

Why IELTS and TOEFL are needed

If you want to move to an English-speaking country, find a permanent job there, or get a higher education, then a certificate from one of these exams is a must. In addition, it will be a good plus when obtaining a visa at a foreign embassy. Most countries in the world recognize IELTS and TOEFL certificates as a document confirming your knowledge of the English language.

How does TOEFL differ from IELTS?

We figured out why both of these exams are needed. Now let's see how they differ. There are two main differences that you should consider first when choosing an exam:

1. Language and country

IELTS tests knowledge of British English. That is, you will need IELTS if you want to move to the UK, Australia or New Zealand. TOEFL tests knowledge of American English. TOEFL must be taken by those who want to move to the United States of America or Canada.

Besides England and America, more than 130 countries accept TOEFL results and more than 145 countries accept IELTS results. If you are going to study abroad, then with a TOEFL or IELTS certificate, the doors of 9,000 educational institutions are open to you. In addition, many American universities accept IELTS results, and many British universities accept TOEFL. Therefore, be sure to check which exam is preferred at your chosen university.

2. Format

The exam is available in two versions: General IELTS - a test of general knowledge of the English language; Academic IELTS is a test of knowledge of academic English. In order to live and work in any English-speaking country, it is enough to have a General IELTS certificate.

TOEFL exists only in the academic version, so in terms of difficulty it is equal to Academic IELTS. A TOEFL certificate is a must for those who want to obtain higher education in the USA or Canada. Academic IELTS is needed for those who want to study or work at a university in the UK or Australia.

IELTS exists only in a “paper” version, while TOEFL can be taken in two formats: Paper-based Test (TOEFL PBT) - a written version of the test and Internet-based Test (TOEFL iBT) - a computer version. The structure of the two formats is different. In the article “” you can find out what is their difference.

Which is easier: IELTS or TOEFL

Now we come to the question that interests everyone - “Which exam is easier: IELTS or TOEFL?” It is impossible to answer unequivocally, since there are too many parameters to take into account. We tried to cover this issue from different angles.

The TOEFL and IELTS exams are administered differently. We invite you to use the tables where we compare all the similarities and differences between the formats. This will help you determine which exam is best for you. We will only consider the TOEFL iBT, since it is more popular and the “paper” version is rarely taken. In addition, there are very few TOEFL PBT test centers in Russia.

You may have noticed that TOEFL Reading is less predictable. It is impossible to predict how many texts you will receive and what their number depends on. The texts are taken from scientific articles, lectures, etc. The vocabulary in them is quite complex, but understandable to a person without special education.

The General IELTS module contains texts about the everyday life of English people. They are taken from popular newspapers and magazines, the vocabulary in them is generally colloquial. The Academic IELTS module, as the name suggests, contains academic texts taken from scientific or semi-scientific publications. The vocabulary in these texts is more complex, but understandable to a non-specialist in a particular field.

And again, it is impossible to say exactly how many tasks you will get; you will only find out about this during the exam. But there is good news: the more texts you receive for reading, the fewer recordings you receive for listening and vice versa. The difficulty with TOEFL Listening is that you first listen to an audio recording and only then receive questions. This means that you need to remember the content of the text well and have time to take notes. After listening to each audio recording, you are given 10 minutes to answer the questions.

The advantage of IELTS Listetning is that you get questions right away, meaning you can listen and answer at the same time. After listening to all the audio recordings, you are given another 10 minutes to transfer your answers to the final copy.

As you can see, the Writing section is different in the two exams. However, the main difference between TOEFL and IELTS Writing is the test method. In the IELTS exam you write the essay by hand, in the TOEFL exam you type it on the computer.

Again the sections are very different. In TOEFL Speaking, you “talk” to the computer: speak your answers into the microphone, and the computer records them. In IELTS Speaking, you take the exam to a live person - you talk to the examiner.

Other features of TOEFL and IELTS

• TOEFL lasts 4 hours, IELTS - 2 hours 45 minutes. Less does not mean easier. But physically it can be harder to think, listen, read, write for four hours.
• All tasks in TOEFL are multiple choice, that is, you need to choose the correct answer from several proposed ones. There are different types of tasks in IELTS: fill in the blanks, indicate whether the statement is true or false, etc. That is, if the spelling is poor, then in IELTS this will be visible and the grade for this may be reduced.
• The exam also reflects the fact that IELTS tests British English, and TOEFL tests American English. This means that the version of English in the two exams will also be different. Words, expressions, and idioms will be those that are used by native speakers in the respective country.
• A TOEFL or IELTS English language proficiency certificate is valid for two years. After two years, information about the person who passed the exam is deleted from the database. Therefore, if necessary, the exam is taken again. The validity period is not indefinite because your level of knowledge may change over time.

Which is better to take TOEFL or IELTS?

To understand which exam to take, you need to decide on a few things.

1. Find out which exam is preferable in the country where you are going

If you are required to do only IELTS or only TOEFL, then further reading of this list is pointless. If it doesn’t make much difference which exam to take, then we move on down the list.

2. Decide on the format

If you are going to live and work in an English-speaking country, then the General IELTS certificate will be enough for you even in America or Canada. To enter a university, you need academic exams.

3. Use tables

Familiarize yourself with how each exam is done and you can see where you will feel more comfortable. Maybe you don't type very quickly or, on the contrary, you forgot the last time you held a pen in your hands. You may not like talking into a microphone: you would rather talk to a person, not to a piece of technology. Or maybe you will be worried and nervous while talking to a “real” native speaker. All of these factors are highly individual, and you need to decide what suits your personality.

TOEFL and IELTS are your two tickets to the English-speaking world. If you want to get into this world, then a certificate from one of the exams will make your task easier. No matter how well you speak English, at a foreign embassy a word of honor is not enough - your knowledge must be confirmed. This is why TOEFL and IELTS exams are needed, because they assess knowledge of the English language as objectively as possible. And what exam to take and what world to go to - North America, exotic Australia, conservative England - is up to you to decide.

IELTS(International English Language Testing System) – This is an international level English language testing system. It is used to test linguistic skills of both native speakers and those who want to confirm their level of English proficiency.

TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an international exam in English for those who use it as a foreign language. This examination system is no less widespread.

When an applicant is faced with the question of confirming his level of English with a certificate, he is forced to choose which testing is most preferable for him.

Choosing between exams

The need to pass a particular English language test is usually dictated by the requirements of the organizations for which you are going to receive a certificate. However, in some cases there is no strict indication of which exam should be taken. In addition, sometimes we do not choose the necessary tests according to the set conditions, but, on the contrary, the place of study/work according to the requirements that they voice.

When choosing a specific exam, you need to consider the following characteristics:

• IELTS– an international testing system, the certificate of which is accepted by thousands of organizations in 140 countries;

• TOEFL is a linguistic testing system for those whose native language is not English;

• by coverage of countries and organizations who accept the received certificate, both exams are approximately the same;

• the choice must be made depending on Which English is closer to you: British or American

There are some differences in the structure and content of IELTS and TOEFL tasks, so if you study for both at the same time, you risk not gaining enough experience in either of them.

Purpose of taking the IELTS and TOEFL exam

In most cases, people who want to get an education or work abroad are faced with the need to pass one of these exams.

Obtaining a certificate of English language proficiency opens up the following opportunities for the candidate:

• admission to a foreign educational institution (college, university, etc.);

• completing an internship abroad;

• work in foreign and international companies.

As a rule, most European and American universities give the applicant a choice between exams, accepting the certificate that he provides. However, in some cases the requirements are strictly limited to one or another type of testing.

An additional option when taking IELTS is immigration to English-speaking countries. It is this examination system that is taken into account by government agencies when moving and processing documents (residence permit, citizenship, etc.).

If both exams satisfy your goals, then when choosing, you need to carefully study the features of their structure, degree of difficulty and the most difficult aspects for you.

Difference between IELTS and TOEFL structure

Both exams are divided into 4 stages, which involve testing your knowledge in all areas of application of the English language.

These stages include:

• ability to listen to native speakers and perceive information by ear (Listening or Listening Comprehension);
• ability to read texts of any subject (Reading);
• the ability to write competently without losing the thread of presentation (Writing);
• ability to speak competently and clearly (Speaking).

These stages in the tests under consideration differ slightly in the set and type of tasks and assessment system, but in general they are essentially the same. When preparing, you need to improve your language level, but at the same time focus on the nuances of the specific test you have chosen.

It should be noted that the paper version of TOEFL does not have the speaking part. Oral communication is replaced there by another written task - Structure and Written Expression.

The main difference between IELTS and TOEFL is the set of modules, that is, the types of examination. Modules are selected by candidates based on the needs for which they are being tested.

IELTS testing includes:

• academic(academic) module– if you want to study/intern abroad;

• general(general) module– for immigration and work abroad.

Both types of tests are taken in a specialized center in paper form, that is, no online or simply computer testing of your knowledge is provided.

The TOEFL exam is conducted in the following formats:

PBT– paper based test – taken at the center in paper form, like IELTS;

IBT– internet based test – taken from home. It takes a little longer and has a slightly different set of tasks than the paper version.

However, there is no difference in the level of testing depending on your goals in TOEFL.

The second module – online testing – has recently become increasingly popular.

This is what many foreign companies and educational institutions indicate in their requirements.

Leading pronunciation: British or American

Philologists from all over the world work on the preparation of IELTS exam tasks, but the main organizations supervising the test are located in the UK. Thus, the main methodological developer is the University of Cambridge. So IELTS is an “English” exam, and the preferred pronunciation in the Listening and Speaking parts is of course British.

The founder and curator of TOEFL testing is Princeton University, in the USA, New Jersey. In accordance with this, the leading pronunciation at the stages of listening and speaking will be North American.

This is even separately reported on the official website of the exam so that candidates can tune in and prepare to work with this particular focus.

Typing on the keyboard

The IELTS exam system does not provide a computer option or online testing, so this testing does not concern the question of the candidate’s ability to use technical means. The same applies to the TOEFL PBT module, in which testing is carried out in a specialized center in a classic, paper form.

When taking the TOEFL IBP module, which is an online Internet test of your English knowledge, you will have to complete tasks on a computer.

This assumes some proficiency in the English layout.

In this format, you will have to type a short essay on the keyboard and insert the missing words into the sentence, so it is recommended to practice a little before taking it.

Otherwise, you may make a lot of typos or miss the deadline purely for technical reasons. It will be a shame.

Number of tasks in the test

In terms of the volume of test questions in the “Reading” and “Listening” parts, the testing systems differ as follows:

• IELTS Reading: 40 questions;
• IELTS Listening: 40 questions;
• TOEFL Reading: 30-55 questions;
• TOEFL Listening: 30-50 questions.

This means that there is no fundamental difference in the number of tasks in these two exams, but depending on your TOEFL topic, the volume may be slightly larger.

The written part in both tests is approximately the same, but the oral part in TOEFL involves completing 6 tasks versus 3 in the IELTS system.

An important difference in the content of the exams is the specificity of the test questions. In the American test, they are mostly of the same type, but when taking the British version, you will have to prepare yourself to complete a large number of different tasks.

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Exam duration

All four stages of IELTS take approximately 2 hours 40 minutes. Examiners do not allocate additional time for filling out forms and checking errors, so you need to carefully consider these procedures already during the testing process.

The TOEFL PBT test takes 3 hours and 30 minutes. In this case, approximately 1 hour is allocated for the Reading stage, and you must complete all other sections of the exam within half an hour.

TOEFL IBT is the most democratic in this regard; this type of testing is carried out in a total of 4.5 hours. However, it is worth considering that the tasks in it are slightly different from the paper version. In addition, it is important to have basic but strong computer skills.

In the step-by-step structure of time distribution, the leading sections are Listening and Reading, which are allotted one and a half hours each. You will have an hour for the written part, and the speaking part will take only 20 minutes. When taking the TOEFL test, candidates are given the right to a 10-minute break.

Notes while listening

To successfully complete the Reading and Listening stages, it will be very helpful for you to take some notes and notes on the provided drafts. This is allowed in both testing systems.

Please note that when taking the TOEFL IBP, your “notes” are not only useful, but also recommended by the exam writers. This means that they will indirectly count towards your grade. If you choose an American test, be sure to pay attention to this.

Key differences between IELTS and TOEFL exams

These two exams are kind of competitors when testing the English knowledge of candidates around the world, therefore both the set of tasks and the assessment system in them are different. However, the general structure of the stages and their content remain the same.

Reading

In IELTS, you are required to read a total of 2000-3000 words and answer test questions in this 3-part stage. The style and subject matter of the texts, their difficulty for understanding are determined by the module you choose. You are given 1 hour of time for this stage.

The procedure for TOEFL is the same for both paper and online versions. The only difference is that here you will not be offered voluminous texts, but 5-6 passages corresponding to widely accepted styles of presentation. The tasks are given from 1 to 1.5 hours to complete.

Listening

When taking IELTS here, you will need to listen to an audio recording and complete test tasks based on what you hear. This is the only stage where additional time (10 minutes) is given to complete the answer sheets.

In contrast, the TOFEL listening set contains a variety of short audio recordings: short dialogues, long dialogues, and short lecture monologues. After each piece you must answer test questions. In IBT, the first part with short dialogues was eliminated, leaving only the other two.

Letter (Writing)

In the IELTS system, this means writing 2 texts, 150 and 250 words minimum. The first text is an explanation of the information provided, the second is an essay “on my own” on a given topic. 1 hour is allotted for completion.

The TOEFL PBT actually has 2 writing parts. In one, which replaces the stage of oral speech (Structure and Written Expression), you must correctly fill in the gaps in sentences, choosing from the proposed list. In the second, also write an essay on a given topic of 150-250 words.

TOEFL IBP in this section is distinguished by its use of an integrated approach. This means that you must write an essay based on reading some text and listening to an audio recording. In your work, you will have to support or refute the proposed statements and express your opinion.

Speaking

Speaking in IELTS is a 3-part conversation with the examiner. First you introduce yourself, then you answer questions about a certain topic, and then you discuss this topic. This stage is the shortest, only 10-20 minutes.

TOEFL PBT does not provide this type of test of your knowledge. In the online IBP test, you will be required to speak into a microphone with the examiner and complete 6 tasks orally. This stage in TOEFL also takes only 20 minutes. Before taking the test, be sure to ensure that your computer is in good working order.

The choice of a specific testing system is based on what requirements you and the organizations for which you are going to take the exam place on yourself. By carefully studying all the aspects outlined in this article, you will be able to determine which exam most closely meets your goals and needs.

IELTS is a specially designed international test designed to assess the knowledge of English by non-native speakers. Passing this exam requires financial expenses, lengthy preparation and a lot of effort. And so that all your efforts are not in vain, we recommend that you find out before taking IELTS what this test is for and what prospects it opens up. The IELTS exam comes in two versions: General and Academic modules. The IELTS certificate is accepted in educational institutions and organizations in more than 130 countries. And it's not just the UK, USA and Canada. The test results can be presented to institutions in New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland, Australia, Korea, Japan, China and many other countries in Europe, Asia and Latin America.

The General IELTS Certificate gives its holder incredible opportunities. Firstly, it can be presented when applying for employment or undergoing an internship in a foreign company. As a rule, employers need it to determine the English language proficiency of a future employee. Secondly, the IELTS certificate is useful for migration services, where it is often required when applying for a work visa or residence permit. Also, test results may be required when applying to medical institutions, various government agencies, agencies and other organizations.

The Academic Module version of the IELTS exam has a slightly different purpose. It is usually taken upon admission to postgraduate studies at foreign universities and business schools. These can be bachelor's, master's, PhD, MBA programs and many others. In this case, the score obtained based on the test results plays an important role. A score of 6-7 is sufficient for admission to most universities. However, for programs related to marketing, journalism, communications and business, where the ability to communicate with native speakers is very important, the IELTS exam must be passed with a minimum of 7.5-8 points.

What will you gain from passing the IELTS exam? Those who passed this exam share their successes.