[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"doc-seo-488373-105":3,"detail-sidebar-cat-0-en-105":81,"doc-detail-488373-en":131},{"code":4,"msg":5,"data":6},0,"ok",{"site_id":7,"language":8,"slug":9,"title":10,"keywords":11,"description":12,"schema_data":13,"social_meta":74,"head_meta":76,"extra_data":78,"updated_unix":80},105,"en","toefl-and-ielts-decision-guide","TOEFL and IELTS - Decision Guide","","TOEFL and IELTS are widely accepted English tests for students planning an academic semester abroad, helping universities assess readiness for study and staff exchange. The guide explains how to choose a test by comparing difficulty, acceptance, timing and length, and whether you take it on computer or with pen-and-paper. It also contrasts speaking formats (microphone vs face-to-face), scoring ranges, spelling demands, listening accents, and accommodations for disabilities and health needs. A detailed section-by-section comparison is included.",{"@graph":14,"@context":73},[15,34,56],{"@type":16,"itemListElement":17},"BreadcrumbList",[18,23,27,31],{"item":19,"name":20,"@type":21,"position":22},"https://docshare.wps.com","Home","ListItem",1,{"item":24,"name":25,"@type":21,"position":26},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/","Document",2,{"item":28,"name":29,"@type":21,"position":30},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/exam/","Exam",3,{"item":32,"name":10,"@type":21,"position":33},"https://docshare.wps.com/document/toefl-and-ielts-decision-guide/488373/",4,{"url":32,"name":10,"@type":35,"image":36,"author":41,"headline":10,"publisher":44,"fileFormat":47,"inLanguage":8,"description":12,"dateModified":48,"datePublished":49,"encodingFormat":47,"isAccessibleForFree":50,"interactionStatistic":51},"DigitalDocument",{"url":37,"@type":38,"width":39,"height":40},"https://docshare.wps.com/thumbnails/toefl-and-ielts-decision-guide/488373.png","ImageObject",300,407,{"name":42,"@type":43},"Bintang","Person",{"url":19,"name":45,"@type":46},"DocShare","Organization","application/pdf","2026-11-06","2026-10-01",true,{"@type":52,"interactionType":53,"userInteractionCount":55},"InteractionCounter",{"@type":54},"ViewAction",17,{"@type":57,"mainEntity":58},"FAQPage",[59,65,69],{"name":60,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":62},"How do TOEFL and IELTS differ in overall difficulty and test length?","Question",{"text":63,"@type":64},"Both tests are challenging. IELTS takes 2 hours 55 minutes, while TOEFL takes about 3 hours, with each having its own difficulty profile based on personal skills and preferences.","Answer",{"name":66,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":67},"Which speaking format should you expect in TOEFL iBT versus IELTS?",{"text":68,"@type":64},"TOEFL iBT requires speaking into a microphone. IELTS speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, which can affect performance depending on comfort level.",{"name":70,"@type":61,"acceptedAnswer":71},"How are scores reported for TOEFL and IELTS, and are there pass/fail results?",{"text":72,"@type":64},"Neither test is pass/fail. TOEFL provides a score with a maximum of 120 points, while IELTS uses a 1–9 band scale with half points possible; universities specify the required score for mobility.","https://schema.org",{"og:url":32,"og:type":75,"og:title":10,"og:site_name":45,"og:description":12},"article",{"robots":77,"canonical":32},"index,follow",{"doc_id":79,"site_id":7},488373,1790977845,{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":83},"success",[84,88,92,95,100,105,110,115,120,123,127],{"id":22,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":85,"show_sort_weight":86,"slug":87},"Story & Novel",90,"story-novel",{"id":26,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":89,"show_sort_weight":90,"slug":91},"Literature",80,"literature",{"id":33,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":29,"show_sort_weight":93,"slug":94},70,"exam",{"id":96,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":97,"show_sort_weight":98,"slug":99},5,"Comic",60,"comic",{"id":101,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":102,"show_sort_weight":103,"slug":104},6,"Technology",50,"technology",{"id":106,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":107,"show_sort_weight":108,"slug":109},7,"Healthcare",40,"healthcare",{"id":111,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":112,"show_sort_weight":113,"slug":114},8,"Research & Report",30,"research-report",{"id":116,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":117,"show_sort_weight":118,"slug":119},9,"Religion & Spirituality",20,"religion-spirituality",{"id":118,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":121,"show_sort_weight":118,"slug":122},"World Cup","world-cup",{"id":124,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":125,"show_sort_weight":124,"slug":126},10,"Lifestyle","lifestyle",{"id":128,"doc_module":4,"doc_module_name":25,"category_name":129,"show_sort_weight":96,"slug":130},19,"General","general",{"code":4,"msg":82,"data":132},{"doc_id":79,"user_id":133,"nickname":42,"user_avatar":134,"doc_module":4,"category_id":33,"category_name":29,"doc_title":10,"doc_description":12,"doc_content":135,"file_id":136,"file_url":137,"file_type":138,"file_size":139,"view_count":55,"is_deleted":4,"is_public":22,"is_downloadable":22,"audit_status":22,"page_count":33,"language":140,"language_code":8,"site_id":7,"html_lang":8,"table_of_contents":141,"faqs":142,"seo_title":143,"seo_description":12,"update_tm":144,"read_time":124,"preview_page_count":4},962085564381,"https://ap-avatar.wpscdn.com/davatar_6f874abed73319feea01a86fa6f0fab8","TOEFL and IELTS  \nThe TOEFL and IELTS tests are the most widely accepted tests used by host universities to ensure that students and staff contemplating a semester abroad (academic mobility) have an adequate level of English.  \nBefore you decide on which test to take, check the website of your host university to see which tests they accept and what your score needs to be in these. Your decision will primarily be based on this information. However, these days many universities accept both. Here are some pointers that should help you decide if you have a choice:  \nLevel of difficulty  \nBoth tests are challenging. The IELTS takes 2 hours 55 minutes, and the TOEFL test takes 3 hours. Each test contains its own degree of difficulty. Anyone investigating both tests will have their own opinion about which one is easier, largely based on their personal preferences and skills.  \nAcceptance  \nFrom the TOEFL website: “The TOEFL test is accepted atmore than 11,500 universities worldwide.”From the IELTS website: “IELTS is accepted by more than 8,000 organisations in over 135 countries, including all Ivy League colleges.”  \nComputer or pen-and-paper?  \nTOEFL iBT (internet-based test) is completed using a computer. In Switzerland, you can choose to take the computer-based or pen-and-paper version of the IELTS test. If you choose the computer-based version, the speaking part is taken face-to-face on the same day as the rest of the test. The computerbased IELTS will provide you with your test results faster (approx. 3-5 days) than the paper version. Think about which format you prefer and consider your keyboarding and handwriting skills.  \nMicrophone or examiner?  \nIn the TOEFL iBT speaking section you have to speak into a microphone, while in the IELTS speaking section you have a face-to-face interview with an examiner. This can make a significant difference to your success, depending on your personal preference.  \nScoring  \nThe tests do not have a pass/fail. You get a score that shows your level of English, in TOEFL the maximum is 120 points, in IELTS 1-9 points (with half points). Your host university will state the number of points you need to achieve in which test.  \nSpelling  \nTOEFL iBT uses multiple-choice questions in the reading and listening sections. You do not have to write words, so if your spelling is very weak, this might be an advantage over IELTS, where some tasks require you to write words.  \nListening language  \nThese days, both tests use a variety of accents in the listening tasks. However, as a general rule, TOEFL is based in the US, while IELTS is British. Traditionally, if you’re going to the US or Canada, you would tend towards TOEFL, while for the UK, Australia, and New Zealand you would choose IELTS; however, these days, this is no longer as clear cut.  \nDisabilities and health related needs  \nBoth tests are set up to provide assistance to test takers with disabilities and health-related needs. Make sure you include a precise description of your needs at registration.  \nOn the next page you will find a more detailed comparison of the two tests  \nGeneral comparison  \n\n|  | TOEFL iBT | IELTS (Academic and General) |\n| --- | --- | --- |\n| Validity | 2 years | 2 years |\n| English | Tends towards US English | Tends towards UK English |\n| Length | 3 hours | 2 hours 55 minutes |\n| Format | One sitting (plan for a full day) | One or two sittings: Listening (1), Reading (2), Writing (3): All on the same day\u003Cbr>Speaking: Either on the same day, or up to 7 days before or after the other sections |\n| Type of test | It tests English for academic study | There are two options:\u003Cbr>Academic (for academic study: 75% of test takers)\u003Cbr>General (for immigration, work: 25% of test takers)\u003Cbr>NB: Listening and speaking sections are the same for both options\u003Cbr>NB: The General IELTS is slightly easier than the Academic IELTS but is not valid for academic mobility |\n| Mode, location | Computer-based, at a test center | Pen-and-paper at a te","cbCailHRFAcp9Kmv","https://ap.wps.com/l/cbCailHRFAcp9Kmv","pdf",149131,"English","# General comparison\n## Level of difficulty\n## Acceptance\n## Computer or pen-and-paper\n## Microphone or examiner\n## Scoring\n## Spelling\n## Listening language\n## Disabilities and health related needs\n# Comparison of sections","[{\"question\":\"How do TOEFL and IELTS differ in overall difficulty and test length?\",\"answer\":\"Both tests are challenging. IELTS takes 2 hours 55 minutes, while TOEFL takes about 3 hours, with each having its own difficulty profile based on personal skills and preferences.\"},{\"question\":\"Which speaking format should you expect in TOEFL iBT versus IELTS?\",\"answer\":\"TOEFL iBT requires speaking into a microphone. IELTS speaking is a face-to-face interview with an examiner, which can affect performance depending on comfort level.\"},{\"question\":\"How are scores reported for TOEFL and IELTS, and are there pass/fail results?\",\"answer\":\"Neither test is pass/fail. TOEFL provides a score with a maximum of 120 points, while IELTS uses a 1–9 band scale with half points possible; universities specify the required score for mobility.\"}]","TOEFL and IELTS - Decision Guide | PDF",1790813112]