Knowing the section structure helps you customize your practice.
Reading
TOEFL reading includes three to four academic passages with multiple-choice questions. IELTS offers three texts of varying difficulty with question types such as matching headings or completing sentences.
Listening
TOEFL listening features campus conversations and academic lectures played once. IELTS listening includes four recordings covering social and academic contexts, with questions answered as you listen.
Speaking
TOEFL speaking has four tasks recorded on a computer, combining independent responses and integrated prompts. IELTS speaking is a three-part face-to-face interview with an examiner.
Writing
TOEFL writing includes an integrated task analyzing a reading and listening passage plus an independent essay. IELTS writing has two tasks: interpreting data or processes and writing an argumentative essay.
Timing
The TOEFL iBT typically lasts just under two hours. IELTS lasts about 2 hours and 45 minutes, with the speaking portion sometimes scheduled on a different day.
Scoring Considerations
Understand how each section is scored so you can target areas where improvement will yield the biggest gain.