IELTS Complete Guide: Comparing IELTS with TOEFL and TOEIC

There are many kinds of tests that prove English ability, and the three best known are IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC. All are widely used around the world, but the situations in which each is needed differ depending on your purpose, such as studying abroad, migration, employment or career advancement.

However, “Which test should I take?” is a point many candidates agonise over.

• If you are aiming for an overseas university?
• What is required for a migration application?
• Which is advantageous for job hunting in Japan?

This article centres on IELTS and compares it with TOEFL and TOEIC, organising the features and uses of each. It should help you decide which test is best for your path and goals.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most widely recognised English tests in the world, and is used especially for study abroad and migration applications to the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and other countries.

Features

• Evaluates all four skills equally: A test that measures Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking in a balanced way.
• Score format: Assessed on a band score of 0.0-9.0, calculated in 0.5 steps. For university entry, a score of 6.5-7.0 or higher is often required.
• Module types Academic Module: for those aiming for university or postgraduate study General Training Module: for those with the purpose of migration or work
• Speaking format: It is conducted as a one-on-one conversation with an examiner, so real communication ability is emphasised.

Main uses

• Entry to universities and graduate schools in English-speaking countries
• Applications to immigration authorities (Canada, Australia, the UK and so on)
• Employment at some global companies and overseas postings

IELTS evaluates both “academic English” and “practical English,” so a major attraction is that it shows English ability you can use in real life, not just for study abroad or migration.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English proficiency test run by ETS (Educational Testing Service), an American non-profit educational organisation. It is one of the most heavily weighted tests, especially for university entry in the United States and Canada.

Features

• Test format: All four skills (Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing) are taken on a computer.
• Speaking: Instead of an examiner, you record your answers into a microphone. A feature is that it is assessed mechanically rather than by a person.
• Score system: 30 points per skill, 120 in total. Example: many universities set 80-100 or higher as an entry requirement.
• Content trends: Centred on academic topics (university lectures, papers and so on), so people strong in academic English have an advantage.

Main uses

• Applications to universities and graduate schools in the United States and Canada
• Proof of English ability at some educational institutions in English-speaking countries
• Applications for some scholarships and programmes

TOEFL is especially suitable for those hoping to study in North America, and holds such an important position that it is said “if you want to go to a US university, TOEFL is a must.”

TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) was developed by ETS in the United States, but it is an English test that is overwhelmingly widespread in Japan and South Korea in particular. It is often used as a standard for university entrance and for corporate hiring and promotion, and aims to measure English ability in business settings.

Features

• Test format TOEIC Listening & Reading (LR): mark-sheet format, 990 points in total TOEIC Speaking & Writing (SW): computer-delivered, 200 points each
• Score system: LR: 10-990 points. SW: 0-200 points each. Note: to measure overall English ability, you need to take both LR and SW.
• Content trends: Mainly conversations and documents set in business and everyday workplace environments. Academic content is hardly ever tested.

Main uses

• Showing English ability when job hunting in Japan and South Korea
• Corporate promotion and internal evaluation standards
• Credit recognition or entrance exam use at some universities

Although TOEIC is positioned as an “international test,” in practice it is especially valued in Japan and South Korea, and can be described as a test that is advantageous for domestic employment and in-company evaluation.

All three tests are “English ability tests,” but their purposes and formats differ greatly. Let us organise the differences in the table below.

In this way, the big difference is that IELTS and TOEFL are “international tests for study abroad and migration,” while TOEIC has a strong character as “proof of business English.”

Because each test assesses differently, direct conversion is not possible, but here is a guide based on reference conversion tables published by study-abroad institutions and educational organisations.

Key points

• IELTS 6.5-7.0: a score often required by universities around the world
• TOEFL around 80-100: common as a North American university entry standard
• TOEIC 850 or above: regarded as a “high score” in Japan and South Korea

Who IELTS suits

• People aiming for English-speaking universities and graduate schools: In the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and elsewhere, submitting an IELTS score is required.
• People applying for migration or permanent residency: It is officially adopted by immigration authorities (Australia, Canada and others).
• People who want to prove English they can actually use: Speaking is a conversation with an examiner, so practical conversational ability is assessed.

Who TOEFL suits

• People considering universities in the US and Canada: In the US especially, TOEFL is the most common application standard.
• People used to taking tests on a computer: All sections are online, so it suits people good at typing and using a PC.
• People who want to sharpen academic English: Reading and Listening are based on university lectures and papers, so people strong academically have an advantage.

Who TOEIC suits

• People job hunting or changing jobs in Japan or South Korea: It is the most widely recognised qualification you can put on a CV.
• People aiming for promotion or evaluation at a company: Many companies set TOEIC scores as a promotion standard.
• People who want to prove English suited to business settings: It centres on the English expressions needed at work, such as negotiations, meetings and emails.

IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC are all internationally recognised English ability tests, but their strengths and uses are clearly different.

• IELTS: Best for study abroad (especially in the UK, Canada and Australia), migration applications and assessing overall English ability
• TOEFL: Essential for those aiming for universities in the US and Canada; computer-based and strong in academic English
• TOEIC: A strength for employment and promotion in Japan and South Korea; best for proving business English ability

As the score conversion guide also shows, IELTS 6.5-7.0 / TOEFL 80-100 / TOEIC 850 or above are regarded as the baseline for “English ability that is accepted globally.”

In conclusion, when choosing a test it is important to work backwards from your final goal: “Where do I want to study?”, “Where do I want to work?” and “Which country do I want to live in in the future?”

Choosing the right test will be the first step to a successful study abroad, migration or career advancement.

If you wish, 3D ACADEMY offers free counselling where you can consult us, including on which of IELTS, TOEIC and TOEFL you should prepare for, according to your study purpose and score target. If you are unsure which test to choose, please feel free to contact us.