English Language Proficiency Test for MBA: TOEFL or IELTS?

In the pursuit of higher education abroad, international MBA aspirants often encounter a crucial requirement – the English Language Proficiency (ELP) test. As English is the primary language of instruction in many global universities, demonstrating proficiency is essential for admission. There are so many tests out there, including TOEFL PBT, TOEFL iBT, IELTS, PTE, TOEIC, Duolingo English Test. Over the years, IELTS and TOEFL iBT have become the most widely accepted options.

To prepare for and ultimately take the test, you need instructors, materials, and test centers. For students in Indonesia, the most widely available resources are typically for TOEFL and IELTS.

So now comes the age-old question: which one should you take?

For the most part, it’s not up to you.

When considering ELP tests, the first step is to identify which exams are accepted by your target schools. Some schools prefer TOEFL over IELTS and vice versa. Others accept a wide variety of tests. For instance, both Stanford GSB and HBS accept TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE, but HBS also accepts Duolingo English Test. Wharton, traditionally favoring TOEFL iBT and PTE, has only recently opened its doors to IELTS.

Before you consider anything else, check what your target schools accept and start from there.

What is being tested?

Both TOEFL and IELTS will test your English language comprehension. The tests comprise four sections: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. However, significant differences emerge in terms of test length, scoring systems, and question types.

How do these tests differ?

Despite common misconceptions about British English being dominant in IELTS and American English in TOEFL, both tests incorporate a variety of accents. So your familiarity with British or American English shouldn’t be a factor of consideration.

The differences between these tests are more in the mechanics.

·  Test time: TOEFL typically lasts around 2 hours, while IELTS extends to approximately 3 hours.

·  Scoring: TOEFL is graded on a scale of 0-120 by adding up your score for each section, while IELTS on a 0-9 scale, averaging your scores from each section.

·  Question types: TOEFL leans towards multiple-choice and matching formats, while IELTS includes a broader range, such as sentence completion, map labeling, and short answer questions.

The nitty gritty

Each section of the two tests presents unique challenges. For instance, the listening section in TOEFL involves 5 recordings while IELTS features 4, both combining social conversations and lectures. The reading section covers 2 passages in TOEFL and 3 passages in IELTS.

The writing and speaking sections demonstrate notable distinctions as well. TOEFL combines the writing section with reading and listening tasks where you have to read a short passage or listen to a lecture before responding by speaking. In the speaking section, TOEFL employs AI and human reviewers for evaluation, while IELTS involves a direct interaction with a human examiner.

ELP test is just one part of your application process for an MBA or any other Master’s programs. Effectively map your path towards success with more technical insights from Toga MBA Consulting.