The IELTS exam
IELTS, the International English Language Testing System, is designed to assess the language ability of
candidates who need to study or work where English is used as the language of communication. IELTS is
required for entry to university in the UK and other countries.
Who is it for?
IELTS is recognized by universities and employers in many countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New
Zealand, the UK and the USA. It is also recognized by professional bodies, immigration authorities and other
government agencies.
More than 700,000 people a year take the test.
What is the IELTS test like?
You can choose between the Academic or General Training versions of the test. All candidates do the same
Listening and Speaking sections.
The test has four sections:
The TOEFL exam
Test Of English as Foreign Language.
The essential exam for entry to universities in the United States. Academic language.
Who is it for?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) measures the ability of nonnative speakers of English to
use and understand North American English as it is spoken, written and heard in college and university settings.
Most people who take the TOEFL test are planning to study at colleges and universities where instruction is in
English. In addition, many government agencies, scholarship programs, and licensing/certification agencies use
TOEFL scores to evaluate English proficiency.
Versions of the TOEFL test
You can do the test on paper or on a computer, depending where you live. The test comes in two formats:
1. paper-based test (PBT)
2. next generation computer-based test (iBT)
What is the TOEFL test like?
The next generation TOEFL iBT test has four sections:
3-5 passages, 12-14 questions each
Reading
60-100 mins
Listening
4-6 lectures, 6 questions each
2-3 conversations, 5 questions each
60-90 mins
Speaking
6 tasks, 2 independent and 2 integrated
20 mins
Writing
1 integrated task
1 independent task
50 mins
An integrated task is one where you have to use more than one skill. For example, you read about something,
listen to a lecture, and then write about what you have heard and read.
The Paper-based test has the following format:
Listening Comprehension
Structure and Written Expression
Reading Comprehension
Writing (Test of Written English)
Time Limit
30-40 minutes
No. of Questions
50
25 minutes
40
55 minutes
30 minutes
50
1 topic
Where do I take the test?
At a test center in your country. The test is organized by the Educational Testing Service. You can register for the
TOEFL iBT online.
