Are you attempting to determine which standardized examinations you should take? Are you uncertain whether you need to go for the GRE or the TOEFL? Is it necessary to take the above? What exactly is on these exams?
Many persons enrolling in graduate studies must complete the GRE and TOEFL, although their responsibilities in the admissions process are different. Get a summary of both examinations, clarify how they differ, and assist you in determining which examination (or tests) you should take.
What are the GRE and TOEFL tests for?
Table of Contents
Now let us glance at the main distinction between GRE vs TOEFL before delving more into the two examinations. The GRE is indeed a graduate-level entry exam, whereas the TOEFL is indeed an English proficiency examination. Schools require GRE results to ensure that you can manage graduate-level material. TOEFL results are required to ensure that your English abilities are good enough to succeed at such an English-speaking institution. The numerous variances between the two examinations are a logical outcome of the different tests’ distinct aims.
The comparison between the TOEFL and the GRE
We’ll offer a quick introduction of either the GRE and the TOEFL in this part, explain their formats, and conclude with a GRE vs TOEFL that allows you to evaluate the two examinations.
GRE Overview
The GRE is indeed a standardized test that assesses a test-readiness taker for grad school. Analytic Essay, Quantitative Aptitude, and Verbal Logic are the three primary portions of the GRE.
Analytical Essay consists of two pieces, each with a time limit of 30 mins. Analytic Composition has a scoring range of 0-6, with half-point intervals. There are two 20-question parts in every one of Quantitative Aptitude Reasoning and Analytic Reasoning, for the potential of 80 multiple-choice questions. Both score scales for Verbal Reasoning and Quantitative Aptitude are the same. The broad range of their scores is 130-170, with one-point adjustments.
TOEFL Overview
The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is an English language competency examination developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS), which also publishes the GRE. This is a test that assesses non-native English participants’ ability to enter an English institution (either undergraduate or graduate).
The TOEFL is indeed a 3.5-hour test that is divided into four parts: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. You’ll be given a score from 0 to 30 for each section. When these marks are totaled altogether, your TOEFL result will range from 0-120.
The GRE and TOEFL Have a Few Significant Differences
It’s crucial to study just what you’ll get assessed on for each examination once you’ve mastered the GRE and TOEFL standards. Since both tests are designed to measure two separate skill sets, some substantial discrepancies in their material must be understood.
1- The TOEFL reading and comprehension parts are more straightforward than the GRE:
Both for GRE and the TOEFL, you’ll have to produce two compositions for the written component of each exam and read paragraphs and respond to questions about them in the reading portions of both examinations. On the other hand, the TOEFL contains more straightforward Reading and Comprehension topics than the GRE.
Both GRE and the TOEFL measure literature and Composition skills; however, the GRE’s problems are more complex and demand greater reading comprehension, argumentation analysis, and argumentation development skills.
Although the TOEFL assesses these abilities to some level, its primary goal is to determine overall reading and comprehension understanding capabilities in English. Furthermore, the TOEFL reading sections are all from undergraduate literature, which is often more straightforward to grasp than the GRE reading section, primarily graduate-level materials. If you master the GRE’s Analytic Composition and Verbal logical reasoning portions, the TOEFL Reading and Comprehension sections should be a walk in the park.
Because the TOEFL is a linguistic exam, it consists of a Speaking and Listening component to see how effectively you can answer questions in English if you may not have much time to get ready.
2- Only the TOEFL Exam Includes Questions on Speaking and Listening:
The GRE, but on the other side, does not include any questions about speaking or listening.
Students will be asked six speaking tasks (known as “tasks”). The first two challenges are autonomous speaking assignments requiring students to answer using their thoughts, views, and expertise. The four remaining projects are all linked together. When replying, learners must apply and over one ability. Learners must read, observe, and then talk in two activities. Students must listen before speaking in another two activities.
Every 4 to 6 audio in the Speaking or Listening segment is accompanied by a series of questions. These recordings sound like talks students have in class, including a lecture session or a debate here between learner and an instructor. Multiple-choice questions will ask you to organize stages in a procedure or activity or to correlate items or text to groups on a sheet.
3- The GRE is the only exam that includes mathematical questions:
Thus there are no math problems on TOEFL. Luckily, 2+2 equals four regardless of the language you know. The numerical reasoning component of the GRE, on the other hand, assesses your math abilities and accounts for half of your total score, so you’ll need strong math skills to do well on the exam.
Mathematical Reasoning upon that GRE assesses your abilities in the following categories:
- Geometry
- Algebra
- Data Analysis
- Arithmetic
The majority of the issues in this part are multiple-choice; but, there may be a few numeric input problems where you must type the correct answer rather than choosing from a list of options.
Should I give GRE or TOEFL?
You’re probably aware that the GRE vs TOEFL is designed to assess various skills. So, when are you going to take them? It’s critical to know which exam to assume that you don’t overlook a crucial component of your form and therefore don’t lose precious time on an exam you don’t require. It would be best to double-check which exam scores each institution needs, but here are a few general suggestions.
Unless you’re going to grad school, you’ll need to take the GRE –
Most graduate schools, especially research-based ones, need or strongly encourage GRE scores. Other examinations are required for specialized graduate programs, such as management school and law.
Go for TOEFL when English is not your native language –
If English isn’t really your first language and you didn’t even graduate through a junior high or undergraduate program where English remained the exclusive medium of education, you should take the TOEFL. Examine the specific prerequisites for the colleges you’re considering attending.
Is it necessary to take the GRE and the TOEFL?
As you noted previously, every exam has a distinct function. Therefore, you may need to sit the both GRE and the TOEFL in some instances. You’ll almost certainly have to complete both exams if you’re applying to colleges that demand GRE results and you are not a native speaker of English.
Be careful to thoroughly investigate the exam(s) of every one of the institutions you’re going to require when you begin enrolling for any test. Depending on their entrance criteria, some colleges may require results from one, either, or none of the above exams. It’s crucial to find it out before taking the examinations.
TOEFL vs. GRE: A Comparison
The GRE vs TOEFL constitutes two examinations that many students who want to graduate school must take, although they serve distinct reasons. The GRE assesses test-readiness participants to graduate-level education, whereas the TOEFL assesses English language abilities.
Understanding the schedule and what these tests include is crucial to feeling assured and performing well on exam day. Most institutions employ GRE, TOEFL, as well as other exam results in the admission process. It’s conceivable that you’ll be required to take both examinations. Be careful to investigate the scoring criteria for each campus you go to so you can present all of the necessary paperwork and exam results.
What is the difference between TOEFL, GRE, and IELTS?
Difference Between GRE and IELTS
Both GRE and the IELTS are used to meet the requirements of an abroad university or institution. However, the main distinction between GRE and IELTS seems to be that GRE is for earning a Postgraduate Degree. At the same time, IELTS is an English competency test that validates one’s English linguistic competency.
Thus, whether the same individual is studying for both examinations, the GRE can pose more obstacles than the IELTS. Yet, the IELTS would be more challenging when the same individual has been proficient with mathematics and analysis but not with linguistics.
However, it should not be overlooked because English is essential in the GRE, as well as some themes which are identical to both courses (such as issue assignment or viewpoint questions) are more difficult in the GRE. Now, you have a better idea about GRE vs TOEFL and GRE vs IELTS.
Difference Between TOEFL and IELTS
To start, figure out whatever course(s) the schools you’re considering will accept. When you don’t even have a timing limitation, think which of the two tests is best for you: IELTS or TOEFL. IELTS is a quicker, more challenging exam that includes a wider variety of questions and tasks and direct dialogue with an inspector. Whether you’re concerned about your handwriting or English when conversing with a local English speaker, the TOEFL may be an excellent option for you.
Ultimately, the ideal test for you would be an issue of personal preference. Thousands of universities around the globe have accepted each examination, and test periods are accessible all year.
FAQs
The solutions to frequently asked questions concerning the Graduate School’s rules on completing the GRE, TOEFL, and IELTS may be found here. Your exam results are a crucial component of your submission.
Is TOEFL more difficult than IELTS?
Both the IELTS and the TOEFL are fundamental English proficiency assessments. The majority of examinees believe that IELTS is simpler than TOEFL. Some candidates assume that the reading section of the IELTS is more straightforward than the reading passages of the TOEFL.
Is the TOEFL a better test than the IELTS?
Most colleges throughout the world accept both TOEFL and IELTS.
Is the TOEFL acceptable in the United Kingdom?
All colleges in the United Kingdom recognize TOEFL. You may double-check the specifics with the professionals!
What’s the purpose of taking the TOEFL test?
Every one of the best colleges recognizes the TOEFL examination as the leading English proficiency level. It is recognized by approximately 9,000 organizations in 128 nations, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada. Thus, proving your English language proficiency in TOEFL will be a valid certificate for your English knowledge.
Is IELTS accepted in the United States?
Certainly, IELTS scores are recognized inside the U.S.A. as evidence of English linguistic proficiency. Significant colleges recognize IELTS across the U.S.A as a reliable indicator of your capacity to comprehend, read, express, and talk in English.
Is it necessary for me to take the TOEFL or IELTS?
Candidates who are not English Speakers must submit certified TOEFL or IELTS scores to the Grad School. If your bachelor’s or post-graduate diploma was (or would be) earned in an English-speaking university, the TOEFL/IELTS prerequisite might be removed for some universities. For US nationals and legal residents, your TOEFL/IELTS prerequisite is also waived. Kindly add supporting documents on institutional stationery with your statement if your transcripts don’t explicitly reflect that the medium of communication is English.
Because it requires time to examine and determine qualification for a waiver, the TOEFL/IELTS criterion still may appear on your registration list after you make your selection.
Summary
Those are the main differences between GRE vs TOEFL. If you are going to take any of these examinations in the nearish term, contact us to begin your study!