IELTS Vs TOEFL Vs GRE

What are the difference between the IELTS, TOEFL and GRE, can you please give me some information about these exams?

[Shaleen]

Ok, as you 2want to know about the IELTS, TOEFL and GRE exams so here I am giving you the details of it

GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
Target audience:
Prospective graduate students across all disciplines

Required by:
Graduate schools and departments.

Purpose:
GRE scores are used to assess the suitability of applicants for graduate-level study across many different subject areas.

Duration:
Around three hours and 45 minutes (six sections with a 10-minute break after the third).

Test content:
The GRE revised General Test is divided into three parts:

Analytical Writing: Two essays. The first asks candidates to put forward a perspective on an issue; the second requires an analysis of an argument. This section tests candidates’ ability to articulate ideas, present supporting evidence and use the English language correctly. (Two separately timed essays in one hour).

Verbal Reasoning: A mostly multiple choice section which tests candidates’ ability to analyze and evaluate written material and synthesize information, analyze relationships among component parts of sentences and recognize relationships between words and concepts. (Two sets of 20 questions, each set lasting 30 minutes.)

Quantitative Reasoning: Mostly multiple choice, with a few questions requiring candidates to enter a number. This section tests ability to understand basic concepts of arithmetic, algebra, geometry and data analysis, and to reason numerically. (Two sets of 20 questions, each set lasting 35 minutes.)

Cost:
US$185 (worldwide)

Valid for:
Five years

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Target audience:
Those wishing to study a program delivered in English.

Required by:
Institutions offering programs in English, TOEFL results are accepted as proof of English language proficiency in countries where this is required to obtain a visa.

Purpose:
To test a candidate’s proficiency in English

Duration:
Around four hours and 30 minutes, with a mandatory 10 minute break midway through.

Test content:
The test is divided into four parts:
Reading: 36-56 questions based on three or four passages from academic texts (60-80 minutes).

Listening: 34-51 questions based on audio recordings of lectures, classroom discussions and conversations (60-90 minutes).

Speaking: Six tasks, requiring candidates to talk about a topic familiar to them, as well as about issues relating to the material in the reading and listening tasks (20 minutes).

Writing: Two essays, the first based on topics introduced during the reading and listening tasks, the second requiring candidates to express and support an opinion (50 minutes).


Cost:
Varies depending on test center location
Example prices:
Milan, US$240;
Sofia, US$210;
Seoul, US$170;
Hyderabad, US$165;
Bogota, US$215.

Valid for:
Two years


IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
Target audience:
Those wishing to study a program delivered in English.

Required by:
Institutions offering programs in English, IELTS results are also accepted as proof of English language proficiency in countries where this is required to obtain a visa.

Purpose:
To test a candidate’s proficiency in English, for an academic or general context

Duration:
Two hours and 30 minutes, plus 15 minutes for the speaking test.

Test content:
There are two versions of the test:
IELTS Academic and
IELTS General Training

Both are divided into four sections, with the same content for the Listening and Speaking sections, but different Reading and Writing sections.

Listening: 40 questions based on four recordings of conversations and monologues. The audio content features a range of different accents (30 minutes).

Reading: 40 questions based on three passages of text. For the IELTS Academic, these texts may include graphs or illustrations, and may be taken from sources including books, journals and newspapers (one hour).

Writing: Two tasks. For the IELTS Academic, these are a short formal essay and a task in which candidates must describe or explain a table, chart or other diagram (one hour).

Speaking: A face-to-face interview, in which test-takers must answer simple questions, speak about a familiar topic, and participate in a structured discussion. This section can be taken up to seven days before or after the other three sections (which are taken at the same time) and lasts for 11-14 minutes.

Cost:
Varies according to location
Sample prices: Beijing RMB1,550;
Kuala Lumpur, RM590;
New Delhi, Rs8,900;
Paris, €190;
São Paulo, R$440.

Valid for:
Two years