TOEFL stands for Test Of English as a Foreign Language. It is mainly for study purposes and is accepted in over 13,000 educational institutions in over 190 countries worldwide, including the US, Canada, UK, and Australia.

It tests your English reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.

It can currently be taken as an IBT (Internet Based Test), IBT Home Edition, or PDT (Paper-Delivered Test). The CBT (Computer Based Test) was phased out in 2006.

The IELTS stands for the International English Language Testing System.  It is the most widely accepted English proficiency test for study, work, or migration. It is accepted by many professional companies worldwide, including the UK, Australia, and New Zealand immigration. Also by most British, Australian, Canadian, European, Irish, and New Zealand academic institutions, and by over 3,000 academic institutions in the US.

It tests your English reading, listening, speaking, and writing skills.

There are 2 versions:

Academic- For those applying to study, such as in colleges and universities.

General Training- For those who wish to immigrate, work, or gain work experience.

You can take the test on paper or computer at a test centre, or online at home.

This is a tough question and really depends on what you need the test for.

Both are highly respected in many educational institutions and businesses worldwide.

The IELTS is the most widely recognised test and is popular in the UK and across Europe. The TOEFL is sometimes favoured in US institutions, though. If you know where you want to study/work, then the best thing is to ask if they have a preference and go from there.

It is worth noting, though, that despite the IELTS being favoured in the UK, in fact, it was designed by Cambridge English as part of Cambridge University, it has been praised for including a wide variety of accents. Whereas the TOEFL uses American English.

The good news is there isn't much difference in the way you can take the test, though with both now offering the option to take the test from home, online.

The IELTS is considered to feel more natural (the SPEAKING section includes live conversations) and shorter, but the TOEFL has lots of easy-to-answer multiple-choice and short-answer questions.

If you are still not sure, don't worry, we can discuss it together in our first coaching session.