TOEFL and IELTS

The Test of English as a Foreign Language, commonly referred to as the TOEFL, is a standardized test of English language proficiency for nonnative English language speakers. This and the International English Language Testing System, known as IELTS, are two of the most popular standardized tests for English proficiency that many international students will need to take before applying for a college or university in the U.S.

TOEFL and IELTS are different from the SAT and ACT because those are comprehensive tests aimed to measure readiness for college. For the majority of international students, TOEFL is just one piece of the application – but many institutions are realizing that neither TOEFL nor IELTS or, for that matter, any standardized test, is the end-all predictor of a student’s success.