PBT Vs IELTS

Can you tell me which is more difficult Test of English as a Foreign Language Paper-Based Test (TOEFL PBT) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System)?

[shikha]

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) are two of the most widely-accepted tests to certify English proficiency.

It’s pretty difficult to compare the TOEFL and the IELTS directly. The decision to take the TOEFL vs. IELTS will ultimately depend on a number of factors.

TOEFL IELTS

About 4 hours long 2 hours and 45 minutes long

Available at over 500 locations Available at 59 locations in the US
in the US, over 4,500 worldwide about 900 worldwide

Cost is usually between 160 and 200 USD Cost varies widely even within the same country; usually is about 200 USD

Score on a sliding scale from 0 to 120 Score at any of 9 “bands,” or levels of proficiency


TOEFL Paper TOEFL Computer TOEFL iBT IELTS Equivalent

625 - 680 263 - 300 113 - 120 7.5 - 9.0
600 250 100 7.0
575 232 90 – 91 6.5
550 213 79 - 80 6.0
525 196 69 - 70 5.5
500 173 59 - 60 5.0
475 152 49 - 50 4.5
450 133 39 - 40 4.0
425 113 29 -30 3.5

Both the TOEFL and the IELTS are rigorous, widely-accepted tests that are available at a variety of locations. When trying to decide between the TOEFL and the IELTS, first consult the programs one want to apply to and make sure that they accept both; after that, the most important factors are convenience and one’s particular skill set.


TOEFL & IELTS Score Comparisons