​If you are planning to study abroad, you must prove your English language proficiency. To fulfill this requirement, students can appear for Language proficiency tests, IELTS, or TOEFL. Are you a study abroad aspirant and confused between IELTS and TOEFL? Here is how you can decide smartly with the information given in this article.

There are many factors that will help you determine whether to take IELTS or TOEFL. These are language proficiency tests and have a similar format that involves listening, reading, writing, and speaking. It is difficult to say which one is easier than the other. Hence, the following criteria will help you figure out the pros and cons of each test. If you’re comparing IELTS vs TOEFL, consider the following:

IELTS vs TOEFL: Quick Comparison Overview

Criteria	IELTS	TOEFL
Nature of Test	Both paper-based and computer-based	Completely online-based (TOEFL iBT)
Accent	British & other international accents	Mostly American accent
Test Duration	2 hours 45 minutes (can be split across 2 days)	4 hours (all sections on the same day)
Speaking Test	Face-to-face with an examiner	Recorded answers via microphone
Choice of Universities	Preferred in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Europe	Preferred in the USA (widely accepted with GRE)
Writing Topics	More analytical & brainstorming required; handwritten if paper test	Simpler essay topics; typed on a computer
Listening Section	30 minutes; write answers while listening	60 minutes; longer audios, only MCQs
Reading Section	Multiple question types: fill-in-the-blanks, match headings, T/F/NG	Only multiple-choice questions
Scoring System	Band score scale: 0–9	Score scale: 0–120
Score Validity	Valid for 2 years	Valid for 2 years

Detailed Breakdown Between IELTS and TOEFL

1- Key Differences in Test Format and Structure

• Nature of the test– IELTS is a paper-based test, while TOEFL is completely online-based. If you are more inclined towards the traditional paper-pen pattern of learning, IELTS will be good to go with. If you are techno-savvy and find no difficulties reading passages and typing online, then the TOEFL should be good for you.

• Accent– You’ll find IELTS easier, especially with the listening section, if you are comfortable with the British accent or if you are more at ease with the American accent. Hence, decide accordingly. This is one of the key differentiators in the IELTS vs TOEFL comparison.

• Test Duration– IELTS takes place on two different days. The first day of the exam requires about 2 hours and 45 minutes of time. Comparatively, TOEFL takes about 4 hours to complete, as all four sections of the exam are held on the very same day.  So, if you want to give a shorter exam, then go for IELTS.

2- Comparison of Sections and Acceptance

• Speaking Test– In the IELTS test, you have a 1-1 session between the examiner and the candidate for the speaking test. If you are good with your command of the language and can express yourself freely, IELTS is the right choice for you. On the other hand, TOEFL requires you to record all your answers online through a microphone for the speaking test. For people who are bad at giving interviews, TOEFL might be easy as you’ll be answering a machine rather than a person.

• Choice of universities– If you are applying for an institution in the US, then consider taking the TOEFL since it is more widely accepted in the US, along with the GRE. For countries in Europe, IELTS is the most preferred choice. So, depending on the region, your IELTS vs TOEFL decision might shift.

• Writing Topics– The essay topic for TOEFL is very simple and hardly requires brainstorming as compared to the topic asked in the IELTS essay writing section. Also, if you do not have good handwriting, then typing an essay online for the TOEFL test should fit your bill.

• Listening section– The TOEFL listening test is 60 minutes long, and the IELTS listening test is 30 minutes. In terms of concentration, most students find the TOEFL listening test very long, and this results in them losing concentration and missing out on answers. In comparison, the IELTS listening test involves listening as well as writing down answers simultaneously, which is an exciting and easy task.

• Reading section– The TOEFL reading test has multiple-choice questions only. On the other hand, IELTS has a range of different questions, including fill-in-the-blanks, matching the headings, and True, False, or Not Given.

How to Choose Between IELTS and TOEFL

It is highly recommended that you take a diagnostic test for both exams and then decide on the basis of your adaptability and scores.

Top Countries and Universities Accepting IELTS/TOEFL

If you are planning to study in the USA, UK, Germany, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or Canada, then a language proficiency test is a mandatory requirement for admission to almost all universities.

The TOEFL score is accepted by all countries, but is popular in universities in the USA, Canada, and some universities in the UK, Ireland. IELTS is widely accepted by all the universities in all the countries, and therefore, students mostly prefer to take IELTS.

How to Decide Which Test is Right for You?

Both tests have their own standards and acceptance ratios. However, the selection of the test depends on which format you are comfortable with, the country that you are applying to, the time, and the duration.

IELTS has paper-based as well as computer-based test options. Its speaking test is conducted face-to-face, and questions are based on real-time human interactions. Whereas TOEFL is a computer-based and MCQ-based examination, comfortable for those who are tech-savvy.  

Choose for IELTS – if you are comfortable with the pen and paper pattern, face-to-face interactive speaking.

Choose for TOEFL – if you are comfortable with computer-based exam, multiple-choice questions, and if you are applying to USA or Canada Universities, and appearing for GRE.

Expert Tips to Prepare for IELTS and TOEFL

If you want to grab the excellent scores in the Language test, you must select the test format that you are comfortable with, understand its assessment patterns, and rules carefully. Understand the modules of writing, reading, listening, and speaking. Study each module properly and take the sample tests or official practice tests available on the official websites to understand your strengths and loopholes.

You can also take up the official courses, study guides, or materials, or even personal coaching/tutors, for improving your results.

How Education Street helps you prepare for IELTS and TOEFL

At Education Street, we provide coaching for both IELTS and TOEFL. We have well-experienced faculty, having more than 20 years of experience in language coaching. They prepare the students to enhance their proficiency in reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

Our Coaching service includes –

• Free Demo lecture
• 30 live interactive classes for IELTS
• 15 live interactive classes for TOEFL
• 4 mock tests
• Study material
• Early morning and late batches are also available

Some Frequently Asked Questions About IELTS & TOEFL

• What are the full forms of IELTS and TOEFL?

   IELTS stands as the International English Language Testing System, whereas TOEFL stands as the Test of English as a Foreign Language

• How to prepare for IELTS and TOEFL?

You can take up the official courses, study guides, or materials, or even personal coaching/tutors, for improving your results.  Appear for the practice tests to know your strengths and weaknesses.

• Are IELTS and TOEFL same?​

IELTS and TOEFL are both language proficiency tests that assess the reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. But they have a different pattern of exams, question types, different times and durations, and scoring systems.

• What are the IELTS and IELTS fees?​

IELTS Stands for the International English Language Testing System. It is a language test used as a tool by universities to assess the language proficiency of applicants. IELTS exam fees are INR 18000.  

• Which is easier​ between IELTS or TOEFL?

TOEFL is a computer-based and MCQ-based exam. So if a student is comfortable with typing and the Multiple-choice pattern, they may find this exam easier. Whereas it offers both paper-based and computer-based exams, and face-to-face speaking, an academic-based pattern. So if the student is comfortable with this pattern may find IELTS easier than TOEFL.

•  Which countries allow students to study without IELTS or TOEFL?

IELTS and TOEFL are not compulsory requirements in French universities. However, it is recommended to take IELTS to prove your efficiency to the Embassy at the time of the visa.

Some UK Universities offer an English Language Test waiver based on the Medium of Instruction letter or 12th standard English Scores.

• How can I study abroad without IELTS or TOEFL?

Some UK Universities offer an English Language Test waiver based on the Medium of Instruction letter or 12th standard English Scores.

• What are the benefits of IELTS and TOEFL?

Good Scores on IELTS or TOEFL can help you get admitted to your preferred universities and study at your dream destination. It also increases the chances of scholarships.

 

Author Name: Ankita Thakker

Designation: Founder & CEO of  Education Street

HOW TO PREPARE FOR GRE VOCABULARY

Preparing for GRE vocabulary is a mammoth task to deal with considering the voluminous amount of words that come across as your learning progresses. One needs to build a strategy to grasp command over as many words as possible. Let us take a detailed look how to prepare for GRE vocabulary.

Learning the ROOT words

Root words are the basic words to which affixes (prefixes and suffixes) are added to form the new word. Taking a detailed look at studying the root words in addition to learning individual words can help you expand your vocabulary considerably.

Learning words through Apps

Why not make the best use of technology to learn new words at the click of your fingertips? There are many apps related to GRE vocabulary which can help you enhance your vocabulary. One such app is “BuildMyVocab”. With an extensive list of 200 most important words from the Barron’s GRE Word List, this vocabulary app has devised fun ways to remember those words. Another such good app is VocabMagik. It is an innovative English vocabulary app that helps you improve vocabulary for GRE exam. 

Learning in groups / class room sessions

Learning words in a group can be fun. You can participate in vocabulary tests, quizzes and      discussions to make learning better and interactive.

Do not simply memorise / Use the words

Do not keep memorising words simply for the sake of learning. You can put the learnt words in to practice by using them regularly.  It may be easier to implement them into an essay or a volunteered comment / speech in the class.

Also, Read IELTS vs TOEFL: A Guide For You

Develop a habit of reading extensively

Cultivate a habit of reading extensively.  List down the new words that you come across while reading. Make it a habit to recall these new words regularly. As you read any website or newspaper, try replacing the words with the new set of words you’ve learnt. Last, and perhaps the best thing you can do is use this newly gained vocabulary as often as possible. A very good book I’d suggest is WORD POWER MADE EASY by Norman Lewis. It also has ample of vocabulary exercises to solve as you learn.

Few links

The following are the few links which can be helpful.

Manhattan GRE Flash Cards

Learn 1500 essential GRE words

Wordnik

Vocabulary.com.

Barron’s 333 High Frequency Word List – GRE

Barron’s 800 Essential Word List – GRE

Manhattan 500 Essential Words – GRE

Manhattan 500 Advanced Words – GRE.

 

By: Dilip Kumar Dubey

Faculty Head and Branch Head (Education Street)

www.educationstreet.in

Application Aced !!

US Application Process can feel overwhelming, but with the right guidance and preparation, it becomes a structured journey toward your dream university.

You’ve finally made up your mind to study abroad – but that’s really just the easiest part, isn’t it? The next step’s the clincher, and it’s bound to last a while, so buckle up. Your application package is your chance to get your foot inside the door of some of the most prestigious universities abroad. But even if you have an excellent academic history and a great GRE score. If you don’t get the right help to prepare your application with precision you would lose on some prestigious universities.

Admission committees at universities sift through several excellent applications every year, and to make the cut, we at EDUCATION STREET ensure that your application is unique.

So how do you make your application unique? If you’ve started making your to-do lists (and if you haven’t, you really should start now, because the application process can be an organizational nightmare), your checklist may look something like this:

• Application form
• Essays
• Recommendation letters
• Standardized test scores
• Resume 
• Transcripts

You ought to know that every component of your application plays a pivotal role in your admission – or rejection. As Stuart Schmill, Dean of Admission, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, says, “We look at all parts of the application to develop a picture of the applicant’s talents and motivations. It might vary for different applicant, and depends on what element tells us more.”

STANDARDISED TEST SCORES

Let’s go down the list first. Registering to take standardized tests is one of the first things you might want to deal with, because test dates are booked in advance, and its best you register early to get the date you want. Besides, knowing your test date is snapping at your heels can only spur you on to prepare harder.

Every university and programme has its own score requirements, which EDUCATION STREET helps you to shortlist according to your profile. Do not worry if your GRE score is low or your academics scores are not great. Depending on your programme, you may even be able to balance out an average score with a sharp SOP and strong recommendation letters. EDUCATION STREET specializes in this. We have dedicated editors for the same.

TRANSCRIPTS

Going further down the list, getting your transcripts together may depend on the degree of bureaucratic obstacles at your alma mater, so expect two trips to your college office at the very least.

APPLICATION FORMS

Application forms attempt to extract basic information like contact details or your family background, but some also request short answers to questions to understand the student.

Guidance at every stage is given to you at EDUCATION STREET. We give personal attention to what is filled by you in the forms and once confirmed by us then only you submit the form. Sample forms are there at office for assistance. Students can also sit in office and fill the forms so arrangement for Wi-Fi and Terminals is available.

ESSAYS – Statement of Purpose

Essays are one of the most important parts of your application because they are your chance to be more than a set of numbers and scores.

You need to reveal facts about yourself that are not apparent in any of the other application material – an inspiring incident from your childhood, a life-changing event, challenges that have made you think the way you do, or how your ambitions took root. You can also mention subjects you are passionate about – ecology, cruelty to animals, adult literacy, healthcare for the aged, anti-nuclear proliferation – because they demonstrate how you think.

Universities also like to know that you have researched about the university, the programme and the faculty members and are keen to be a part of their academic community.

This is also your opportunity to explain inconsistencies in your academic or work profile (for instance, why you missed a semester or performed poorly in it, or why you took a year’s sabbatical from work). If you’re in a niche, unknown academic stream or field of work, you may also explain that here.

Focus on the programme you are applying to. “An engineer is expected to be more analytical. His essay should show how he went beyond the syllabus to develop his scientific interests, like research projects, participation in technical festivals with details of the model he developed, or more about how he used his technical skills to help others – made a website for a shopkeeper, or taught computer skills to senior citizens,”

The most important thing is to be honest. Focus your energy on painting a concise, complete, and well-thought-out picture of who you truly are, rather than present what you think the admissions committee is looking for in response to essay questions

Expert SOP Counseling with Education Street

EDUCATION STREET provides SOP counseling   to bring the best essay out of you. We share with you several essays so that you have your mind thinking on those lines. First draft is always instructed to be written by the student, as we believe the essay should have the heart and soul of the student. Later we take it from their and our editors edit and polish it to make the final draft.

RECOMMENDATION LETTERS

When it comes to recommendation letters, one rule you can go by is to approach people, who know you well, as opposed to those that are known well. If you can get both, well then, that’s just perfect, but it’s extremely important to have the former. This is because your letters must have detail and shouldn’t be a collection of empty platitudes.

EDUCATION STREET advises: They may be important people, but if they write just a few generic lines, it doesn’t help you. They must detail your abilities and strengths in different situations and describe your potential as an academic student as well.”

Three recommendation letters are normally required and at EDUCATION STREET we strive hard that it speaks volume about you.

RESUME

Resume should be easy to segment, easy to read, and should always be presented in reverse chronological order. For example, most recent activity listed first. Keep it brief and crisp.

We at EDUCATION STREET feel resume should give a clear insight towards your profile. So we help you in this task as well by providing you proper guidance and counseling.

So these are prime elements of your application process and EDUCATION STREET would like to assist you for the same.

How to decide which Universities are Safe, Moderate and Ambitious for me?

The moment you start with your application process the question on which universities to apply daunt you. Some feel the university is too high fetched, another one feels it is clean sweep and some other one around feels I am confused I like them all. In this confusion most of us remove and waste loads of time in this confusion rather than applying before deadlines.  We realize this is a common occurrence with almost all students applying to USA. However the solution is not very straight but with a clear roadmap you achieve the same.

Primary Filtration

1) Fix the Coursework

In the foremost steps you need to decide on few things. Course you want to apply for – like for e.g. – Masters in Data Science or Masters in telecommunications or specialize in VLSI design etc. So this is your primary filter to see which all universities fall in your pool.

2) Like the Location

If you are opinioned about some fix location like silicone valley due to jobs, or someone lives there or its too cold use these as a next level of filter. This will refine it further.

3) Check the Tuition Fees

If funds is restricted or you need some economical range of fees check the university portal for this first ideally.  So check whether university is public funded or not. This will give you a kickass filter.

With above three filters you would be able to come to very crisp options.  Now after this you can use various ways to choose the 6-8 universities you should apply. Normally these many universities are more then enough to apply. More then this we feel is just waste of money and add to indecisiveness at all stages.

How to Classify Universities: Safe, Moderate, and Ambitious

After this you now have to decide which are safe, moderate and ambitious. For this various methods can be useful. Most sort-after can be a good counselor, which are rare these days but a few of them promise to be very helpful, and life changing. Or it can be forums online to check the feedback of students. And further it could be connecting with the alumni of those universities to share the credentials of their class.

Tips to Finalize Your 6–8 Best-Fit Universities

This will bring you down to your 6-8 universities and help you make you the most crucial decision. Do not fall prey to unnecessary and faulty information which is also very easily available online. So you need to validate your data either with your counselor or alumni.

After all this you can place your universities in the bucket of safe, moderate and ambitious. There is no golden rule on how many of each from these tags you should apply follow your mind. Some prefer more on safe as they want to take less risk absolutely fine. And some are the high risk takers want to be in make or break situation so apply only to ambitious one. So it all depends on your attitude and you follow that.  Safe universities are the ones where you have got maximum answer for your profile as yes.

Moderate is the one where you have mixed reviews. And Ambitious ones are those, which are like grapes, which you do not know whether they are sweet or sour but you want to attempt them, as they are your dream universities. So segregate our universities the best strategy is to apply in all sections.  Jump into this process beforehand as it takes time and is very important. Also remember to apply beforehand of deadlines as it helps to be up the queue, receive scholarships or funding and also get more positive responses.

Shortlisting US Universities is the crucial stage as you decide here which university among these chosen one would be your life-changing chapter in your career. Hence do take time and efforts and start with this process smartly.

Author- Mrs. Ankita Thakker – Education Street

Ankita@educationstreet.in

Education Street is an overseas education counseling firm helping student as a gateway to solve their dilemmas regarding university application, Test preparation, SOP, LOR, application process, finance guidance and Visa preparation. Three offices widely spread in Mumbai and with a strong team of counselors to guide and tutors to impart.

www.educationstreet.in