What is TOEFL?
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is one of the English proficiency tests for individuals who wish to study at universities and graduate schools in English-speaking countries such as the United States. It is particularly important for college admissions in the U.S., making it an essential test for returnees and students aiming to study abroad.
TOEFL has two formats: the iBT (Internet-based Test) and the PBT (Paper-based Test), but most test-takers today take the iBT version. Since the test comprehensively evaluates four skills—listening, reading, speaking, and writing—it is often perceived as a challenging exam for many test-takers.
Why TOEFL is Considered More Difficult Than IELTS
1. The Exam is Academically Oriented
TOEFL primarily assesses English proficiency required for university lectures and coursework in the U.S. As a result, the reading passages and listening materials often resemble academic lectures and research papers, making the content more difficult.
On the other hand, IELTS includes a mix of academic and general English topics, making it more accessible for test-takers.
2. Long Listening Passages
In the Listening section of TOEFL iBT, test-takers must listen to university lectures and conversations, which can be quite long and require strong concentration. Some listening passages last around 2–5 minutes, making note-taking essential, which can be challenging for many students.
3. High Difficulty Level in the Speaking Section
TOEFL’s Speaking section is unique because test-takers do not interact directly with an examiner; instead, they speak into a microphone on a computer. This format requires them to clearly express their opinions within a limited timeframe, which can be stressful.
In contrast, IELTS Speaking is conducted face-to-face with an examiner, allowing for some interaction and adjustment in responses.
4. Writing Requires Strong Logical Thinking
TOEFL's Writing section consists of two tasks:
Integrated Task: Summarizing and analyzing information from reading and listening materials.
Writing for an Academic Discussion (Introduced in July 2023): Responding to a professor’s online discussion topic by analyzing and reacting to different students' viewpoints.
In comparison, IELTS requires logical essay writing, but it does not include integrated tasks that combine listening and reading.
5. Note-Taking is Essential for All Sections
In TOEFL iBT, note-taking is crucial not only for the Listening and Reading sections but also for Speaking and Writing preparation. Test-takers must listen to long lectures and take effective notes to perform well.
IELTS allows note-taking during the listening test, but it does not require the same level of detailed organization and synthesis of information as TOEFL.
Conclusion
The key reasons TOEFL is considered more difficult than IELTS are:
It focuses on academic content.
Listening passages are long and require high concentration.
The Speaking section is computer-based, with no interaction.
The Writing section requires strong logical and analytical skills.
Note-taking is essential in all sections.
For students aiming to enter American universities, TOEFL is an unavoidable hurdle. To succeed, it is crucial to get used to academic English, practice note-taking, and develop logical writing skills.
If you plan to take TOEFL soon, make sure to prepare thoroughly and approach the test with confidence!
Author: Manami Palmini 
Past Support Experience
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