TOEFL v. IELTS v.

TOEIC
BRUCE ROGERS
4 AUG. 2015
BANK INDONESIA
JAKARTA, INDONESIA

Introduction
Thanks for the invitation!
Thanks to Cengage/National Geographic
A little background about me and The Complete

Guides ...

Economics Institute, University of Colorado, Boulder

EI-BI 1984-2008

The Complete Guides

Overview

General Information
Test Design
Score Comparisons

The Primary Purposes of the Tests

TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic mainly used for

university admission
TOEFL PBT often used by language programs, for
entrance and exit tests, etc.
IELTS General Training Test used for
immigration purposes, etc.
TOEIC generally used by businesses and other
organizations to measure employees English
competence

General Information 1
TOEFL

IELTS

Test of English as a Foreign

Language

International English Language

Testing System

Since 1965; current format (iBT) 2005

Since 1989; current format 1995

Educational Testing Service (ETS) in

Princeton, New Jersey, USA

British Council, IELTS Australia, and

University of Cambridge ESOL
Examinations

Over 1 million test administration per

year

Over 1.4 million test administrations

per year; fastest growing ELT test

4,500 test centers in 165 countries

800 test centers in 120 countries

2 formats: iBT and PBT

2 versions: Academic (75%) and

General Training (25%)

General Information 1
TOEIC
Test of English for International
Communication
Since 1979; current format since 2006
Educational Testing Service (ETS) in
Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Over 4.5 million test administrations
every year (greatest numbers of any
ELT test). An especially important test
in Japan and Korea.
Given at over 10,000 organizations in
120 countries. Individuals often take
the test to put scores on their resumes.
Listening-Reading (L/R) Test (Basic
TOEIC)
Speaking-Writing (S/W) Test (much
less common)

General Information 2
TOEFL

IELTS

Primary purpose: To measure the

English-language proficiency of applicants
for universities

Primary purpose: (Academic) To

measure the English-language proficiency
of applicants for universities
(General Training) To measure the
English-language proficiency of those
planning to undertake non-academic
training or for immigration purposes

End users: Admission departments of

academic institutions, especially in North
America but also in Europe, Australia, NZ
etc.

End users: (Academic) Admission

departments of universities, especially in
Commonwealth Countries and most of
Europe. More and more in the U.S.
(General Training) Emigration officials;
training executives; corporate human
resource managers

Accepted by 8,000 universities

Academic test accepted by 6,000

organizations; General Training required
for emigration to Canada, Australia, New
Zealand, UK, and Ireland

General Information 2
TOEIC
Primary purpose: To measure the
English-language proficiency of
employees, trainees, or prospective
employees of international
organizations. Used for recruiting,
hiring, placement, and promotion.
End users: Personnel directors,
training managers, human resource
managers of international corporations
and organizations (trading companies,
banks, airlines, hotel chains, etc.)

General Information 3
TOEFL
iBT: Reading/Listening/Speaking/Writing
Includes integrated speaking and writing
items that combine listening/reading/
speaking and listening/reading/writing

IELTS
Listening/Reading/Writing/Speaking
(Speaking may be given on the following
day)
No integrated (multi-skill) items.

PBT: Listening/Structure/Reading
iBT 4.5 hours, PBT: 2.5 PBT

3 hours

Delivery: iBT: Internet computer

(Speaking items are recorded on computer;
writing items must be word processed)
PBT: Paper and pencil

Delivery: Generally paper and pencil;

computer version is being phased in.
Speaking is face-to-face with an examiner;
writing is done on paper

Language: 100% academic or campus

based

Language: (A. Academic) Academic and

campus based and general English
(B. General Training): Business/work-place
related and general English

North American speakers in Listening

section

In Listening, a variety of accents are heard:

UK, US, Australian, etc..

General Information 3
TOEIC
Listening/Reading
(Reading includes grammar and
vocabulary items)
2 hours
Delivery: Paper and pencil
Language: Everyday English used in
business and in the workplace
US, Canadian, UK, Australian accents

General Information 4
TOEFL

IELTS

Contexts: Reading University textbooks

Listening: University lectures/seminars;
professor/student conversations, etc.

Contexts: Academic Reading

Textbooks, journals, and university
information
General Training Reading: Everyday
English; newspaper articles,
advertisements, letters, schedules, etc.
Listening: Both school-related and social
talks and conversations

Item Types: PBT: All multiple choice with

four answer-options;
iBT: Listening and Reading mostly multiple
choice, some computer unique items
(complete the chart, for example)
Integrated and independent writing and
speaking items

Item Types: Wide variety of item types

Multiple choice
True/False/Not Given
Complete the chart
Matching
Sentence completion
Short answer (1-3 words)
Etc.

General Information 4
TOEIC
Contexts: Everyday English as used in
workplace and business as well as
general situations
Listening: Announcements, recorded
messages, news stories, advertisements,
etc.
Reading: Email, memos,
advertisements, schedules, letters,
notices, articles
Item Types: All multiple choice with 4
answer options (Listening Part 2 has 3
options)

General Information 4
TOEFL

IELTS

Scores: iBT: 0-30 per section; 0-120

overall
PBT: 310-677

Scores: 0 (non-user) 9 (expert

user)

Cost: Varies by country; on average,

the PBT is about $165, the iBT
US$175.00

Cost: Varies from center to center;

generally about $US160.00 - $185.00

Prep material: Many prep guides

and websites, but be careful: not all
TOEFL materials are created equal!

Prep material: Many prep guides

and websites, but not as many as
TOEFL or TOEIC (yet)

General Information 4
TOEIC
Scores: Listening-Reading Each
section 5-495; total 10-990.
Cost: Costs vary but both forms of the
TOEIC generally cost about $US60 (A
bargain!)
Prep material: Lots and lots of
materials available some of it good,
some of it very bad!

TEST DESIGN: Various Formats

TOEFL

iBT (Internet-based TOEFL)

PBT (Paper-based TOEFL)

IELTS
Academic
General Training
TOEIC
Listening-Reading
Speaking-Writing

TOEFL PBT
Listening
Structure
Reading
Writing

TOEFL iBT
Reading
Listening
Speaking
Writing

IELTS Academic and General Training Tests

Listening
Academic
Reading

GT
Reading

Academic
Writing

GT
Writing
Speaking

TOEIC

TOEIC
L/R

TOEIC
S/W

Listening

Speaking

Reading

Writing

Listening Sections
TOEFL
iBT
4-6 lectures,

2-3
conversations

IELTS
4 listenings

34-51
questions

40 questions

60-90
minutes total

40 minutes
total

Listening Sections
TOEIC
L/R 60
sentences/
longer talks
100
questions
45-60
minutes
total

Listening TOEFL iBT

Note-taking not only allowed but now encouraged
TOEFL Listening is unique in its use of authentic English

Ums and ahs hesitations repetitions digressions

polite interruptions
North American accents
Total time for Listening section about 50 minutes

Listening TOEFL iBT

2-3 conversations (campus-based) 2 people 1 set

in professors office, 1 set in other campus location

(library, recreation center, housing office, etc.)
400-600 words 12- 15 exchanges 3-5 minutes
Photos of participants appear
on screen
5 questions after each
conversation

Listening TOEFL iBT

4-6 academic lectures/class discussions
3-5 minutes long, 600-800 words
6 questions after each lecture; mostly multiple

choice
Some MC question have 2 correct answers
Main idea, factual, negative, inference, attitude
A few non-MC questions:
fill-in the chart, etc.

Listening IELTS Academic

Four Sections
Conversation, 2 people (social)
Monolog (social)
Conversation, up to 4 people (academic)
Lecture (academic)
UK, US, Australian, NZ accents (most often UK)
No note-taking
Total time: 30 minutes listening/answering
30 seconds to check answers at the end of each section
10 minutes transferring answers

Listening IELTS Academic

Variety of tasks: Be familiar with them!

Task Type 1

Forms/Notes/Table/Flow-chart/Summary Completion

Task Type 2

Multiple Choice

Task Type 3

Short-answer Questions

Task Type 4

Sentence Completion

Task Type 5

Labelling a Diagram/Plan/Map

Task Type 6

Matching

Listening IELTS Academic

Spelling counts
Number of words counts (Some items specify 3

words/numbers or fewer)

TOEFL/IELTS Listening
Advantages of TOEFL

More predictable questions and formats

No points off for spelling, grammar, and number of words
No possibility of mistakes caused by transferring answers
Listening materials are all university focused

Advantages of IELTS

Preview questions
Time to triple-check answers
Generally considered somewhat simpler

Listening TOEIC
Four Sections
100 questions + 45 minutes
A) Sentences about photos (10 items)
Choose option that best describes the
photo

A Shes driving the car.

B Shes cutting the grass.
C Shes pumping the fuel.
D Shes paying the cashier.

B) Question/Response (30 items)

Hear question, then hear 3 possible
responses; choose best
Did you go to work with that nasty cold?
A It was too cold to go to work today.
B No, I went to work by myself.
C Yes, I had to go in for a little while.
First two sections are pure tests of listening; do not require
any reading

Listening TOEIC L/R

C) Conversations 3-4 exchanges
10 conversations with 3 questions each
D) Talks 10 talks, 1-2 minutes long
3 questions each
All multiple choice with 4 answer choices
Main idea, detail, and (a few) inference questions
No note taking
US, UK, Australian, and Canadian speakers
100 items, 45 minutes

Reading Sections

Reading Sections

Reading TOEFL iBT

3-5 passages (only 3 are scored)
3 passages: 60 minutes
Each reading averages 700 words
Academic topics: science/technology, art/humanities, social
sciences, etc.
Similar to university textbook excerpts

Reading TOEFL iBT

12-13 questions per reading
Mostly multiple choice
Factual and Negative Factual
Vocabulary
Inference
Purpose/Attitude
Pronoun reference

Reading TOEFL iBT

Non-multiple choice items
Sentence Paraphrase
Sentence Addition
Last Item: Summary/Complete the chart

Reading TOEFL iBT

Sentence Addition Item
When drawing human figures, children often make the head too large for the rest
of the body. A recent study offers some insight into this common disproportion
in childrens drawings. As part of the study, researchers asked children between
four and seven years old to make several drawings of adults. When they drew
frontal views of these subjects, the sizes of the heads was markedly enlarged.
The researchers suggest that children draw bigger heads when they know that they
must leave room for facial details. Therefore, the distorted head size in childrens
drawings is a form of planning ahead and not an indication of a poor sense of
scale.
Look at the four squares () that indicate where the following sentence could
be added to the passage. Click the square () to indicate the best place to add
the sentence.
However, when the children drew rear views of the adults, the size of
the heads was not nearly so exaggerated.

Reading IELTS Academic

One Section
3 passages 40 questions +11 item types
Passages progressively more difficult
60 minutes
Average about 900 words
Types of Passages: Narrative, descriptive, argumentative (at
least one--usually the last paragraph--contains a detailed
logical argument)

Reading IELTS Academic

#1 Multiple choice (1 key 4 choices; 2 keys 5

choices)
#2 Identifying information (True/False/Not
Given)Trickier than True/False! Takes practice ...
#3 Identifying writers views/claims
(Do these statements agree with the
authors views/claims? Yes/No/Not Given)

Reading IELTS Academic

#4 Matching information: Locate information in

the text, write the letter of paragraph/section

#5 Match headings: Match a list of headings
(titles) with sections of the text
#6 Matching features: Match features from the
text with a list of optionse.g., match a list of
researchers mentioned in the text and the fields in
which they worked

Reading IELTS Academic

#7 Matching sentence endings: Match first half of

sentences with second half

#8 Sentence completion: Complete sentences with
words/numbers from the text (Instructions tell you how
many words.)
#9 Complete a summary/chart/notes: Fill in blanks
in a table, flow chart, summary, etc.
#10 Complete labels on a diagram: Use words from
the text to complete labels on a diagram
#11 Short answer: Use words from the text to answer
detail questions

Reading TOEFL iBT vs. IELTS Academic

Advantages of TOEFL

More predictable questions; less variety of item types

No points off for spelling, grammar, number of words in
answers

Advantages of IELTS

No explicit vocabulary questions

Generally seems simpler; less academic vocabulary, fewer
grammatically-complex sentences

TOEIC Reading
Three Sections, 60 minutes

All multiple choice Reading a somewhat deceptive

title; first 2 sections test grammar and vocabulary/usage
A) Sentence Completion 40 items
Because the number of passengers dropped, the regional government
had to increase [---] on intercity trains.
A fares
B costs
C funds
D tolls

Reading TOEIC L/R

Calwood Industries has installed new equipment that will
not only speed up the production process but also [---]
and correct potential problems.
A analysis
B analyst
C analyze
D analytical
B) Passage Completion Similar to Part A but involves completing
sentences in a short passage
4 passages 12 items

Reading TOEIC L/R

C) Reading Comprehension

7-10 single readings, 28 questions

4 Paired readings (2 related readings)
20 questions
Newspaper/magazine articles,
notices, emails, letters, advertisements
non-prose readings such as schedules
Shorter, simpler than TOEFL or IELTS.

Speaking Sections

Speaking TOEFL iBT

Two Parts, 6 tasks
A) Independent
Based on personal knowledge and background
Prep 15 sec. Response 45 sec.
#1 Personal Preference: Describe the person who has had
the most influence on your life
#2 Paired Choice: Some people like X, other people prefer
Y. Which do you prefer?

Speaking TOEFL iBT

B) Integrated

Based on information from reading and listening.

#3

Announcement/Discussion
Read/Listen/Speak
Campus-based topic
Read a short announcement (university changing parking policy, e.g.) and then
listen to two students discussing it
Prep 30 sec Response 45 sec
#4 General/Specific
Read/Listen/Speak
Academic
Read a short article on a general topic and then listen to an lecture in which a
professor gives a specific example
Prep 30 sec Response 60 sec

Speaking TOEFL iBT

#5 Problem/Solution
Listen/Speak
Campus-based topic
Prep 20 sec Response 60 sec
Listen conversation: one student poses problem, other speaker
proposes 2 possible solutions
(Only integrated topic in which speaker gives opinion)
#6 Summary
Listen/Speak
Academic topic
Summarize a brief classroom lecture
Prep 20 sec Response 60 sec

Speaking IELTS Academic

Three Parts
A) Introduction and interview
Examiner asks test-taker general questions about
himself/herself; hobbies, family, interests, reasons for taking
IELTS, etc.
4-5 minutes

Speaking IELTS Academic

B) Individual Long Turn
Examiner gives test-taker a task card of one topic with
set of 3 questions to discuss
Familiar topics: clothing, free time, computers and the
internet, health, family, etc.
Prep 1 minute (may take notes) Response 1-2 minutes
Instructor asks 2-3 follow-up questions afterwards

Individual Long Term Task Card

Speaking IELTS Academic

C) Discussion
The examiner and the candidate discuss issues

related to the topic in Part 2 in a more general and

abstract way and in greater depth.

Speaking TOEFL iBT vs. IELTS Academic

Advantages of TOEFL

On the computer (preferable for some people)

Integrated questions (both an advantage and disadvantage!)
Multiple, impersonal scorers

Advantages of IELTS

Predictable questions
Face-to-face (preferable for other people)
No integrated questions, more guided
Personal contact with scorer
More authentic?

Writing Sections

TOEFL iBT
1 Integrated Task and 1 Independent Task
Must type responses on keyboard

#1 Integrated: based on a reading passage and

related lecture
Summarize and compare lecture and passage
Typically contrasting ideas
Reading: 3 min Lecture: 2 min Writing: 20 min
Recommended length: 200 words

Writing Section: TOEFL iBT

#2: Independent Task

Based on own knowledge and experience

Give opinion or express preference; very
similar to Independent Speaking prompt.
(Some people prefer X; other people prefer Y. What
do you prefer?)
30 minutes
Recommended length: 300 words

Writing Section: IELTS Academic

Two tasks: 60 minutes to use as they wish
#1 Report on Visual Information Summarize
main points on a graph/chart/table and report the
main features; make comparisons where relevant.
Minimum: 150 words
20 minutes recommended

Writing Section: IELTS Academic

#2: Agree/Disagree with Statement

It is inevitable that as technology develops so

traditional cultures must be lost. Technology and
tradition are incompatible - you cannot have
both together.
Minimum: 250 words
40 minutes

Writing TOEFL iBT vs. IELTS Academic

Advantages of TOEFL
Typed (preferable to some people)
No minimum word count (just suggestions)
Spelling and grammar are stressed less
-- Format typically taught in ESL classes

Advantages of IELTS

Handwritten (preferable to some people)

Lower word counts
No integrated task

IELTS Scores

Listening 0 to 9
Reading 0 to 9
Writing 0 to 9
Speaking 0 to 9

Overall Band Score: 0 to 9

IELTS Scores
Band 9: Expert user
Band 8: Very good user
Band 7: Good user
Band 6: Competent user
Band 5: Modest user
Band 4: Limited user
Band 3: Extremely limited user
Band 2: Intermittent user
Band 1: Non-user
Band 0: Did not attempt the test:

TOEFL iBT Scores

Reading

Listening

Speaking

Writing

0-30

0-30

0-14 (low)
15-21
(intermediate)
22-30 (high)
0-14 (low)
15-21 (intermediate)
22-30 (high)

0-9 (weak)
0-4 points, converted
10-17 (limited)
to an 0-30 score
18-25 (fair)
26-30 (good)
0-5 points, converted
to an 0-30 score

1-16 (limited)
17-23 (fair)
24-30 (good)

TOEIC Scores
Candidates receive independent scores for written

and listening comprehension on a scale from 5 to

495 points. The total score adds up to a scale from 10
to 990 points.

Comparison Sample Scores for

U.S. Colleges and Universities (Undergraduate Programs)

University

TOEFL IELTS

Harvard University

100

7.5

Stanford University

100

Yale University

University

TOEFL IELTS

No

University of Oregon,
Eugene

71

6.0

100

7.5

UCLA

87

7.0

Cornell University

100

7.0

Columbia University

100

7.5

University of Virginia

90

7.0

Penn State University

90

6.5

University of Kentucky,
Lexington

71

6.0

University of Colorado,
Boulder

78

6.0

Northwestern University

110

No

University of Texas, Austin 79

6.5

6.5

University of Florida,
Gainesville

University of Massachusetts,
80
Amherst

80

6.0

Arizona State University

61

6.0

Boston University

95

6.5

Michigan State University 79

6.5

Duke University

100

7.0

Tulane University

6.5

84

PBT and iBT Score Comparisons

PBT iBT
310 0-12
450-453 45-46
477 53
500 61
527-530 71
557-560 83
577 90-91
600-603 100
677 120

Score Comparisons
TOEIC L/R

TOEFL
Paper

TOEFL
IBT

IELTS

CEFR*

0 310
310 343
347 393

0-8
9 18
19 29

0 - 1.0
1.0 - 1.5
2.0 - 2.5

397 433

30 40

3.0 - 3.5

437 473

41 52

4.0

477 510

53 64

4.5 - 5.0

785 - 990

513 547
550 587
590 - 677

65 78
79 95
96 120

5.5 - 6.0
6.5 - 7.0
7.5 - 9.0

B2
C1
C2

Top Score

Top Score

Top Score

Top Score

Top Level

990

677

120

C2

0 - 250

255 - 400

405 - 600

605 - 780

A1
A1
A2
B1
(IELTS 3.5)
B1
B1
(IELTS 4.5)
B2
(IELTS 5.0)

Score Comparison Native Language

IELTS
5.3
5.6
5.7
5.8
6.0
5.8
6.5
6.5

Native
Languag
e
Arabic
Chinese
Thai
Vietname
se
Indonesia
n
Japanese
French
Spanish

Native
Languag TOEFL
e
Japanese
66
Arabic
69
Thai
72
Vietname
74
se
Chinese
76
Indonesia
78
n
Spanish
84
French
85
German
97

Final Thoughts
Listening: TOEFL more academic, more thorough?
Reading: TOEFL more academic
Speaking: IELTS easier? Better to have live

interview?
Writing: TOEFL is more global, IELTS is more
detailed
In general: Students perception of IELTS is somewhat
easier
Scores: Wide range of equivalencies; universities set
IELTS a little low?

Tips and Tactics

Practice your English every chance you get. Listen to

broadcasts and television in English. Make friends

with people who speak English. Read Englishlanguage newspapers, magazines, and (serious)
Internet pages
The best practice, the fastest way to improve your
score, is to take practice tests.
Be familiar with the format whatever test you take.
Have a mental map of the test in your mind so that
you know what comes next. No surprises!

Tips and Tactics

Learn some relaxation techniques. If you get stressed

during the test, your score will go down. Learn to

take one minute vacations.
Practice focusingespecially during listening
sections
Use top study materialssome are not very good.
Stay with materials published by reputable
companies and avoid bilingual materials.
Determine which section(s) of test is most
problematic for you and concentrate on that section

Tips and Tactics

Always guessno penalties for guessing on any of

these tests.
But dont guess blindlythe Process of Elimination
can be a powerful tool when dealing with MC
questions
Work on time-management when taking practice
testscrucial during Reading and Writing sections.

Tips and Tactics

TOEFL
Practice note taking
Practice integrated tasksvery challenging!
IELTS
Practice Yes/No/Not Given and True/False/Not given
Practice the Type 1 writing tasksnot a familiar type
of task
Many different item types in Listening and especially
Readingbecome familiar with all.

Contact Information

brogersboulder@yahoo.com