Which exam is right for you? Review of the TOEFL exam

This is how TOEFL scores compare IELTS and CEFR levels:

Today, I will look at the TOEFL, the American English exam many USA universities require to offer you a place. Unlike UK exams, TOEFL is ONLY done online. You get a score from 0 to 120. Typically, you need 80 points to have a B2 level or 6.5 IELTS. But most universities will require 95 points or above. Top universities may require 105 or above. These scores are hard to get in the TOEFL exam. Nobody will get 120 points, not even university professors who are English native speakers! Some people feel that it's easier to get 7.0 in IELTS than the equivalent in the TOEFL, but that is a personal opinion.

What are the pros and cons?

Pros:

1. It is the most important exam in the USA and is internationally recognised.
2. It is an ACADEMIC exam, simulating situations in a university context, like lectures, day-to-day problems, conversations with teachers, etc. It is not a general exam.
3. You do not fail. You get a score that corresponds to a specific level.
4. Tests 4 skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking
5. There is no "Use of English" section (the horrible part in FCE, CAE, CPE)
6. It is highly structured, but it is hard to predict what you will be tested on.
7. There is a lot of material available to prepare for this exam

Cons:

1. In the listening section, you will always listen to each track ONLY ONCE. Some of the tracks are a part of a university lecture about topics you may know nothing about (geology, astronomy, history, economics, etc). These tracks can be 5 minutes long, so you need to take notes (as if you were at university) because you DO NOT see the questions until after the lecture is over. So, you do not know what information will be relevant to answer the questions.
2. It is only done online in a recognised test centres. You must choose your test centre carefully as some of them may be noisy while you do your exam. People coming in and out of the room will distract you. And you need to be fully concentrated at all times.
3. You are expected to write well! Examiners will look for ways to mark you down because there is no "Use of English" section. Also, they will look out for academic writing, not just general writing.
4. The multiple choice exercises can be very tricky and there are different types of multiple choice exercises. You will need to practise many types of exercise to understand what the examiners want.
5. The speaking part is HARD. You do not speak to a person. You speak into a microphone/computer. You will see questions on your screen. You will have between 15 and 30 seconds to prepare your answer and then you will have between 45 and 60 seconds, typically, to talk. At the end of this time, the computer will cut you off. It is very hard to structure your answers and pack as much information as possible in the allocated time. And watching the time running out will make you nervous. It requires A LOT of practice!

So, should you opt for the TOEFL?

Think about what you need. Are you applying to an American university or for a job that specifically requires TOEFL? Then, you may have no choice. However, if TOEFL is not a specific requirement, think carefully whether TOEFL or IELTS are better for you. But one thing is certain: a high TOEFL score is a great thing to have!