TOEFL vs IELTS which is more accepted
TOEFL vs IELTS which is more accepted? When thinking about studying, working, or immigrating to Canada, one of the first things you’ll encounter is the need for an English language test. Many people wonder about the available English tests for migration. You’ll find that IELTS General Training and TOEFL are popular choices, not just in Pakistan, but worldwide. Like IELTS, TOEFL gives you scores for reading, writing, listening, and speaking. But, from my experience, when it comes to actually relocating overseas for work or migration, IELTS often seems to be the preferred test.
Many universities in Canada require proof that students are proficient in the English Language before they’re accepted into their programs. To study in Canada, it’s usually necessary to get a minimum required score on IELTS to ensure your application is considered. You’ll find that universities often have specific minimum TOEFL and IELTS requirements for Canada. PTE Core is also an option.
Your English language ability will be evaluated by IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE when applying to overseas universities. It can be confusing to decide which exam gives you more options. It’s important to know that getting a degree abroad takes a lot of work, and that starts even before you begin the procedure of applying. One of the first challenges is passing an exam that proves your English language proficiency. While TOEFL was once the main test in this market, IELTS and PTE are now common too. These evaluations are typically valid for two years.
PTE Core or IELTS Exam: Which is Best for Canada Immigration?
When you’re looking at English language tests for Canadian immigration, IELTS stands out. TOEFL vs IELTS which is more accepted? It’s the only test that lets you retake just one section to get a better overall score. This is a big plus. If you want to improve your score, with IELTS One Skill Retake, you don’t have to retake the entire test. Other tests, like TOEFL and PTE Core, make you retake all four sections if you want a better mark. This can cost you more time, money, and stress.
IELTS is a widely used exam to check your English ability. More than 10,000 institutions and immigration bodies around the world accept and recognize it. The IELTS exam has four sections: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. TOEFL is another well-known English proficiency test. It’s common for US universities and colleges to use it to test foreign students’ language skills. Like IELTS, TOEFL also has four main portions, but it’s mostly taken online, unlike IELTS. The PTE exam includes both speaking and writing in one part. It’s also taken online, and PTE Academic scores are becoming more accepted by different places.
IELTS for Wider Immigration Acceptance
When it comes to proving your English language skills for immigration, especially if you’re looking at more than just Canada, IELTS holds a stronger position. While PTE Core is accepted by Canada’s own Ministry of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC), its reach isn’t as extensive.
For instance, IELTS is the preferred choice for immigration departments in various countries, including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. This broader acceptance means that if you’re applying to multiple countries for a study or work visa, IELTS is generally more recognised. This is because over 12,000 organizations worldwide, including many governments, trust IELTS’ evaluation of your English language abilities. In essence, IELTS is accepted by more governments and immigration bodies than other tests.
IELTS for migration
| Category | IELTS for Migration | TOEFL |
|---|---|---|
| Popularity (number of tests taken in 2018) | 3.5 million | 2.3 million |
| Test duration (migration test) | 165 minutes (IELTS General Training) | 195 minutes (TOEFL iBT) |
| Test type | Paper-based and computer-based | Computer-based only |
| Accepted by Canada and the UK immigration departments | Yes | No |
| Speaking test | With a real person who understands different accents | Talking to a computer |
You can trust IELTS scores if you want to live or work abroad
Trusting Your IELTS Score
If your goal is to live or work abroad, you want to be sure your English test scores are reliable. Many countries, like the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Germany, use a points-based immigration system. In Canada, for example, you often need a certain number of points to apply for a Canadian Permanent Resident visa (PR visa). A significant portion of these points comes from your language ability.
IELTS has a long history of stability. While other tests’ scores may change, IELTS band scores have remained consistent and reliable for over 30 years. This means that with IELTS, you can be confident that your score standards will be respected by Canadian immigration, and in other nations, giving you peace of mind as you plan your move.
IELTS: A Wealth of Free Prep
When it comes to getting ready for your English language test, having good preparation materials is key. The British Council, which runs IELTS, really stands out here. They give you more free online preparation material than any other test provider. These materials work so well that 93% of people recommend them to their friends.
The British Council has a special online IELTS preparation platform called IELTS Ready. It has two main parts. An IELTS Ready Member is free even before you book your exam date. It gives you things like preparation videos, mock IELTS computer tests for practice, and model answers for the Writing and Speaking parts of the test. If you then book your IELTS exam date with the British Council, you get access to IELTS Ready Premium, also free. This gives you even more, including 40 practice IELTS tests, feedback on Listening and Reading, more model answers, and even personalized feedback on your Speaking and Reading from real teachers. It’s like a VIP service to help you get better, faster.
IELTS: Choose Your Test Style
When it comes to taking the IELTS, you have a real advantage: you get to choose the format that suits you best. Unlike the PTE Core test, where, with the Speaking part, you will be recorded speaking into a microphone in a room with other test-takers, all talking at the same time, entering or leaving, which can be distracting, IELTS offers flexibility. You can take IELTS on paper, on a computer, or even online. This means you can pick the method that makes you feel most comfortable, helping you relax and achieve your best score.
This comfort extends to the IELTS Speaking test itself. Instead of having to listen in a noisy and crowded room, you speak face-to-face with a friendly examiner, either in the same room or via a live video call. Again, the goal is to help you feel more comfortable during your Speaking test, so you can focus and do your best.
How Your Test is Scored: Human or Machine?
The PTE Core test uses a computer-automated scoring system for its evaluation. This means there is no human involvement in the marking process. In contrast, IELTS is marked by human examiners. While some might think that marking by a computer is fair, especially if you have an accent, the truth is that an automated system isn’t always better.
A computer may not be able to fully capture the nuances of your speech or understand you as well as another person. This can affect your scores, particularly in the Reading and Speaking parts of the test. On the other hand, IELTS examiners, who are part of the British Council, are specifically trained to understand a wide variety of accents. They also strive to make test-takers feel comfortable. For example, they often ask questions about real-life situations, which can help you feel more confident when you answer. Also, with computer marking, there is no flexibility with your answers; there is only 1 correct answer possible.
Comparing Result Speed: PTE Core and IELTS
When it comes to getting your test scores quickly, the PTE Core has a clear advantage. You can typically get your results in just 2 days.
In contrast, IELTS offers a couple of options, each with different waiting times. If you take IELTS on a Computer or IELTS Online, you’ll receive your results in about 3-5 days. However, if you choose to do your IELTS exam on paper, it takes significantly longer – around 13 days. One plus with the paper-based IELTS is that you get up to 5 free hard copy Test Result Forms for your records.