English how-to · updated 2026
The English-test comparison students search before university and visas. This page has 50 important questions and answers. Original explainer for daily search — not a government login or live tracker.
IELTS (British Council / IDP / Cambridge) and TOEFL iBT (ETS) both measure academic English. Universities and visa offices publish which one they accept and the minimum scores. Neither test is “easier” for everyone — accents, question style, and speaking format differ.
IELTS Academic has paper or computer options and a face-to-face or video speaking test. TOEFL iBT is computer-based with integrated speaking. Check the school’s 2026 page, not a forum screenshot from 2018.
50 important questions. Quick 10 is a random set; Full set plays every question.
Original explainers for English readers — not copied match reports or official papers. Tap a question to see the answer.
Answer: university and many visas
There is also IELTS General Training.
Answer: ETS
It is a computer-based English test.
Answer: listening, reading, writing, and speaking
Scores expire — often after two years.
Answer: the test and the minimum scores it wants
Read the official admissions PDF.
Answer: an interview with an examiner (or video call)
TOEFL speaking is recorded on the computer.
Answer: a common academic target — not a pass/fail by itself
TOEFL uses a 0–120 scale.
Answer: your university or visa list actually accepts
Some schools take either.
Answer: timed practice in all four skills
Official sample papers beat leaked “guaranteed” PDFs.
Answer: from 0 to 9, often in 0.5 steps
Each skill gets a band; then an overall.
Answer: from 0 to 120
Four sections are usually 0-30 each.
Answer: about two years — check the school
Admissions pages state the window.
Answer: work, migration, or some training routes
Academic is the usual university paper.
Answer: recorded on the computer for markers
IELTS speaking is usually a live or video interview.
Answer: describe a chart, table, map, or process
Task 2 is a longer essay.
Answer: an integrated task plus an independent essay
Integrated means reading and/or listening first.
Answer: a universal pass/fail with one magic mark
Each institution sets its own cut-off.
Answer: the official IELTS or ETS channel
Fake portals steal card data.
Answer: match the name on the booking
Mismatches can stop you sitting.
Answer: the visa instructions name that product
Read the Home Office or embassy list.
Answer: a mix of accents and everyday or academic clips
TOEFL listening is more campus and lecture based.
Answer: finding answers in the text, not outside knowledge
The answer is in the extract.
Answer: publish minimum scores for each
Compare like for like, not raw numbers.
Answer: automatically the same as one fixed TOEFL total everywhere
Use the school conversion table, if any.
Answer: have extra room-scan and camera rules
Follow the live proctor script.
Answer: after the official wait rules for that test
Some visas limit how you combine sittings.
Answer: an official extra step, not only a PDF you email
Check how many free sends you get.
Answer: leaked live papers sold as guaranteed
Using stolen current papers can cancel a score.
Answer: still cost marks even if ideas are fine
Leave minutes to check.
Answer: is allowed on both in standard formats
Notes are not marked.
Answer: a short individual talk from a prompt card
You get brief prep time.
Answer: combine a short read or listen with your reply
Campus situations are common.
Answer: proof you can study in that language
The test is a proxy, not the degree.
Answer: a letter (formal, semi-formal, or informal)
Tone must match the prompt.
Answer: an average of the four skills, rounded by their rule
One weak skill can pull the average down.
Answer: a common competitive university target — not a world pass mark
Read the department PDF.
Answer: phones and notes at the desk
Follow the centre briefing.
Answer: fine if you are clear; it is not a British-only test
Fluency and coherence matter.
Answer: follows the official fee and deadline rules
Centres fill up in peak months.
Answer: PTE, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge exams
Do not assume IELTS/TOEFL are the only options.
Answer: shows whether you finish each paper
Pacing fails more people than one hard word.
Answer: loses task-achievement marks even if English is fluent
Answer the exact question.
Answer: the word limit and spelling they specify
Three words means three.
Answer: the same as Yes/No/Not given in every paper
Yes/No is usually about views.
Answer: need an official request well before the date
Bring the medical evidence they name.
Answer: is handled by the official organiser, not a forum rumour
Keep emails from the centre.
Answer: fails if the prompt does not match
Examiners see template dumps.
Answer: there to debate your opinions as right or wrong
Clear reasons beat a perfect political take.
Answer: sit the one each list accepts — or both
One score cannot always be reused.
Answer: published on the official timeline for that product
Do not trust a random screenshot.
Answer: the destination school or visa list
Style differences are second.
Pick the next article in this topic — that is how a magazine issue is meant to be used.
