TOEIC Vs TOEFL

For those who interested in measuring English proficiency, you are often confused what the test should be taken. Here you will find the differences between the two tests; the TOEIC and the TOEFL, what for are two of them related to your work or study?

Both the TOEIC and the TOEFL are English proficiency exam that sourced from ETS (Educational Testing Service), USA. The TOEIC focuses on business English. It is generally thought of as a work-related English proficiency exam. However, a surprising number of US universities and degree programs will accept the TOEIC as an alternative to the TOEFL or IELTS. The TOEIC is taken to measure English proficiency as a communication tool in global zone. The TOEFL is considered as a condition for students in education process. The TOEIC is required to company recruitment, a basic measurement of English proficiency in a company, it is used for handling pre and post English training. The TOEFL is mostly needed to apply overseas scholarship.

ADVANTAGES :

1.     Most students find the TOEIC to be easier than the TOEFL. Business language tends to be simpler and more straightforward than academic English. In addition, most schools will only ask you to take the Reading & Listening TOEIC. The exam is shorter than the TOEFL and tests just two skills instead of 4.

2.     In addition to taking less time, the TOEIC costs less than the TOEFL. For fees outside of the US, contact your regional TOEIC office.

3.     The TOEIC is sometimes actually preferred by business degree programs, especially MBAs.

4.     The TOEIC doubles as a workplace qualification at many jobs. It is sometimes even used on work-based immigration applications.

DISADVANTAGES :

1.     The TOEIC is not as universally accepted as the TOEFL. Schools that do accept the TOEIC usually prefer to accept students with TOEFL scores.

2.     TOEIC is less available than the TOEFL. There are only about 50 testing sites for TOEIC Reading & Listening in the United States. International testing sites are not even listed on the ETS website.

3.     Easier is not always better. Preparing for the TOEFL also helps you prepare for the demands of academic English and English-language campus living. The TOEIC is easier to pass, but is not designed to prepare you for study and school life.

4.     The TOEIC can be a quicker, more affordable path to acceptance in an English-language school. It is an especially desirable test in many schools of business management. This exam is also useful if you want a job in an English-language workplace after you finish your studies.

5.     The TOEIC is not really designed for academic purposes, and is less available than other exams. 

About Tomy Widiyanto

Tomy is English teacher at Kendal, Central Java, Indonesia. He has Bachelor degree in English language education from Walisongo State Islamic University, Semarang. He has been teaching English for teens and adults since 2012 and has worked with students from every culture. Currently, Tomy focuses on teaching English for vocational high students in his hometown and also has built a language learning center, Widiyanto Professional Academy.