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The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) are the two most widely-accepted English proficiency exams. Both IELTS and TOEFL are designed to test your proficiency with the English language, especially your ability to communicate effectively in a classroom setting and fit into a predominantly English-speaking culture. While both exams test reading, writing, listening, and speaking, students should be aware that some universities may prefer one exam over the other. Therefore, students should always consult the testing requirements of the particular universities they are applying to before they begin preparing for one of the tests. The TOEFL was developed in the United States at Stanford University and is widely accepted at — and in some cases, preferred by — U.S. universities. The IELTS, on the other hand, is mostly a British test and is more readily accepted in universities within the British commonwealth.

The TOEFL exam tests four skills you will need to demonstrate competence in before enrolling at an English-speaking university: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Students can take courses that focus specifically on each of these skills. Practicing your English skills in all four of these areas is very important when preparing for the TOEFL. In addition, students should also become familiar with the structure of the exam. For example, the reading section requires students to read an academic passage and respond to a series of questions about the text. The speaking section will ask you to discuss an opinion on a familiar topic and respond verbally to a prompt such as an excerpt from a lecture. Taking English vocabulary and grammar courses can help students improve their skills and boost confidence in all four testing areas.