Benefits Of Taking IELTS
Before understanding the IELTS benefits you need to first understand what IELTS is. IELTS- International English Language Testing System is a standardized test of English and is usually taken by the non-native speakers of the English language. A good IELTS score is one of the major perquisites if you are a student planning to study in countries such as Canada, United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. The test managed by the British Council is one of the major English language tests in the world and is beneficial for the students planning study abroad.
Let us have a look at some benefits & top 5 reasons to take IELTS:
1. The first step for going abroad
Achieving a good IELTS score fulfills one of the conditions of studying in countries such as Canada and Australia. Like mentioned earlier, students with good IELTS score have already fulfilled one of the conditions of studying in countries where English is the first language.
2. IELTS is accepted worldwide
The IELTS score is accepted in nearly 135 countries over 9000 organizations around the world. IELTS score is a proof that one is capable of communicating in the English language.
3. Improves your English skills
The IELTS exams are designed in such a way that it becomes easier for the individuals to test their knowledge of English against native English speakers enabling you to learn the language and improve your language proficiency.
4. British and American English covered
Many non-native speakers of the language are not sure about the concept of American English vs. British English. A student taking IELTS becomes aware of both types of English and is able to judge the difference between the both at the basic level.
5. Gives you a real-time experience
The Test is designed to incorporate real-life situations and has a speaking section involving a face to face meeting with an examiner. It is a private meeting between the candidate and the examiner. It is an ideal situation enabling you to deal with the real-time challenges you might face while studying abroad.
IELTS VS TOEFL: WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE?
When applying to a university abroad, you will most probably have to submit an IELTS or TOEFL test score. Let’s examine the difference between the two exams.
If you are planning to study abroad in an English-speaking country for your Bachelor’s Degree or Master’s Degree, you will most likely have to submit either an IELTS or TOEFL score. Although both of these standardized tests determine your English level by assessing your reading, writing, speaking and listening skills, the two tests differ in format, scoring and more.
Here we explore the differences between the two and give you tips on how to practice for and take the test that is right for you. RightTurn Academy expert education advisors can guide you on which test you should take based on the university of your choice.
Either the IELTS or the TOEFL is required as part of your application to an English-speaking university and will demonstrate if you will be able to understand the course material.
The IELTS and TOEFL exams are two of the most accepted English proficiency exams around the world. However, both of these tests are different in their exam structure, their approach, and the teaching criteria. This means that you need to understand how the two differ before selecting which test to study for and ultimately take.
What is the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)?
IELTS is an abbreviation for International English Language Testing System. The test is available in two formats: “IELTS Academic,” for those planning to study at a higher education level abroad; and “IELTS General Training,” which focuses on social skills and workplace contexts. In this piece, we will focus on IELTS Academic.
The IELTS test uses British English and consists of four parts: reading, listening, speaking and writing. It takes two hours and 45 minutes to complete, including transfer time from one section to the next. The IELTS is accepted by over 9,000 institutions, each with its own requirements for IELTS scores. Once students take the test, they can then select up to five organizations where copies of their IELTS results will be sent free of charge.
What is the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)?
TOEFL is an acronym for Test of English as a Foreign Language. It is an English proficiency test, developed by an American company, ETS, to measure an individual’s reading, speaking, writing, and listening proficiency in American English. TOEFL scores are a requirement for over 900 universities and other institutions in more than 130 countries.
There are two methods of taking this test; it can be taken as a Paper-Based Test (TOEFL PBT) or an Internet-Based Test (TOEFL IBT); TOEFL IBT, however, is more popular. You can register and take the TOEFL IBT at designated centres in almost all countries and it takes four hours to complete. This test is accepted in Australia and the UK, and it is likely that American institutions will favour this exam over the IELTS test.
Comparing IELTS and TOEFL
For the UK, only the IELTS UKVI, which is also used to support your UK Visa and Immigration application, is accepted. But for Canada and the US, either the TOEFL or IELTS will do. Students looking to take the test can find local centres where the test is offered. To find a test location for the IELTS, you can go to the IELTS website. The TOEFL is offered more than 50 times a year and you can search for the test locations here. The price for both tests is similar, about USD 200-300 depending on where you are taking the test.
Both tests consist of four sections that assess the most important aspects of language: speaking, listening, writing and reading. The TOEFL, however, is entirely multiple choices, while the IELTS has a mix of short answers and essay questions.
The TOEFL is available as a paper-based test, but the internet-based test is more popular. The IELTS exam is only available as a paper-based test. The Internet-based TOEFL can take up to four hours to complete, while the IELTS is two hours and 45 minutes long. However, the IELTS may take more than one day because the speaking test with the instructor is separate from the other sections.
Speaking
There is a big difference between the speaking part of the tests. If you feel that you are more comfortable speaking English to a person’s face to face rather than in a microphone, then the IELTS might be more suited to you.
The IELTS speaking section takes 11 to 14 minutes and is conducted as if it were a normal conversation. You will be alone with the test instructor, and they will record you on tape as they ask you some general questions about your home, family, and studies.
Next, you will be shown a card with a specified topic and you will have about two minutes to prepare, after which the examiner has a discussion with you about the topic. The TOEFL speaking test consists of six sections and lasts 20 minutes. Two of the six sections will ask you for your opinion on everyday topics – this is the Independent Speaking Test. The other four sections will focus on Integrated Speaking. This means you will need to listen to or read something and then build a response to the recording or a passage. For each section, you will be given some time to prepare before giving your answer in the microphone.
Quick tip: Practice speaking and voicing your opinions clearly out loud.
Listening
For the IELTS, you will have to answer 10 questions while the audio is playing. The questions that will come up for IELTS cover everyday topics such as dealing with situations in an education and training context. The question format includes filling in the blanks, completing the sentence, and answering true or false. Also, the IELTS uses many different accents while the TOEFL uses only American English.
The TOEFL speaking test takes an hour, while the IELTS is only 30 minutes. In the listening section of the TOEFL, you will listen to four to six recordings and then answer questions based on what you heard. These questions will show your ability to understand the content that is being shared, and your ability to understand the speaker’s emotions and motivations. You will hear two types of recordings: conversation recordings and lecture recordings.
Quick tip: When you’re preparing for the IELTS exam, take the time to listen to different accents to avoid getting confused – after all, this exam assesses international English. And for both exams, don’t forget to take notes while you’re listening!
Writing
The writing section for both tests consists of two parts that require you to write a short essay. In the IELTS, you will be given a graph or chart in the first part, and you then have 20 minutes to write a short essay of 150 words based on that information. In the second part of the IELTS, you will be given an argument or a point of view and you will be required to write a 200- to 250-word response in 40 minutes.
In the TOEFL, the first part requires you to read a short text about a certain topic and then listen to a two-minute lecture about this topic. Then, you will have to write 300 to 350 words in response to a question about this topic. The second part requires you to write another short essay.
The big difference between the two tests is that for the TOEFL, the essay has to be typed on a computer, while the IELTS has to be written by hand on paper. It is best to know what you are comfortable with; if you don’t know your way around a computer keyboard then you should take the IELTS. But if you have a good typing speed, then you will be more comfortable taking the TOEFL. You should also consider how good your handwriting is – if your handwriting is difficult for the examiner to read, they might deduct points.
Quick tip: Listen to podcasts and read articles and then summarize what you heard or read.
Reading
Both tests provide you with texts that are academic in nature and followed by questions that test how well you understand the text.
In the IELTS, this section consists of 40 questions in three parts, with varying styles of questions that include short answer and fill in the gap questions that cover different aspects such as, reading for details and main themes, skimming, logical arguments and recognising the writer’s opinions and purposes.
In the TOEFL, as with every other section on this test, the questions will be multiple choice and are divided into three to five parts, or “passages.” You will need to read the passages before answering between 12 to 14 questions. These questions may ask you to define a word (“vocabulary test”), identify the idea (“understanding test”), or find the false statement (“comprehension test”). The timing is similar for both tests, as you will have 20 minutes to complete each part.
Quick tip: Read pieces of literature and ask yourself questions about it.
Test scores
The IELTS test is graded by humans and has separate scores for each section from 1 to 9, and a final overall score of all the sections. So if you didn’t perform well in one of the sections, your score will bring down your average score.
The IELTS score helps you easily identify your English proficiency level; simply put, a non-user score is 1 and an expert score is 9. The TOEFL is graded by both humans and an automated scoring system and the score is structured differently with 1 point for each question, and a final score out of 120. You will receive a score from 0 to 30 for each section. Along with your TOEFL scores, you will also receive a performance feedback report. This report provides you with the ordinary test takers’ score range, which will give you a better indication of how you performed on your exam compared to the average.
Keep in mind that with both exams, you will have to wait at least 10 days to receive your scores and the printed score reports are mailed to you 13 days after your test date.
Which test is best for you?
As mentioned at the beginning of this article, if you are planning on studying in the UK, you have no choice but to take the IELTS UKVI. But if you plan on studying in Australia, Canada or the US, you have a choice as to which test you take because universities in those countries accept both. So which is best suited for you?
To keep it simple, if you prefer multiple choice questions, feel more comfortable writing on a keyboard, and understand an American accent easier, the TOEFL is better suited for you. If you enjoy writing with a pen, feel more comfortable talking to a person rather than a microphone, and prefer a variety of different question types, then the IELTS is better for you.
How to prepare
• Practice tests
Before you begin studying, it might be helpful to take a practice exam so that you can assess your baseline.
Here, your choice of specific exams matters a lot. Some IELTS or TOEFL practice tests are sloppy, made by people who are not carefully imitating the real exam. You should always use TOEFL or IELTS practice tests made by the same people who created the real ones. For additional practice tests, find materials made by reputable companies that carefully recreate the “real thing.” Take practice tests throughout your studying so you can consistently test your skills and see how you are improving.
How can you find a good test that will accurately measure your baseline? One way is to look online for guides to finding good TOEFL or IELTS sample tests, such as this portal for finding the best IELTS test sample.
• Find prep material
Your baseline doesn’t just tell you how much you need to improve your overall TOEFL or IELTS score. It also tells you which sections of the test are the hardest for you. You can think of these difficult areas as your target areas. These are the parts of the test that you need to target for extra study.
• Register for test day
Setting a date is about much more than making sure your IELTS or TOEFL plans are official. Choosing the right TOEFL or IELTS test date is an important process. Your IELTS or TOEFL test date determines how much time you have to prepare. And your choice of test day must also allow you to get your official score report in time for application deadlines. Plus, it puts your target in sight and gives you a solid deadline that you can work with.