Published: November 26, 2024 | Reading Time: 5 minutes
Struggling to decide between GRE and TOEFL for your academic journey abroad? International institutions often assess candidates' proficiency in the English language to evaluate their ability to fit in an English-speaking academic setting. The GRE and TOEFL are among the most widely taken tests for international students and are offered year-round.
Students often face confusion about the GRE vs TOEFL and which one to choose. Although both exams serve similar purposes, they differ significantly in various aspects. In this article, let's know the differences in their scoring system, eligibility, score validity, and more.
Candidates aspiring to study abroad in some popular destinations like US, UK, Australia, Canada, etc., take exams like the GRE and TOEFL to get admission to their graduate programs in the best universities.
GRE (Graduate Record Examination):
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):
Scores in these tests help the admission committee evaluate your level of English proficiency for your academic success. Scores on these tests also help students to seek financial aid or funding for their studies abroad.
There are few similarities between the GRE vs TOEFL even though they are different tests. Understanding similarities can help clarify why some test-takers mistakenly believe the two tests are the same or interchangeable, even though they are not always comparable.
GRE and TOEFL serve as tools for institutions to evaluate your preparedness for your studies abroad. Universities in countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and Australia use these scores, along with other application materials, to assess your academic potential.
GRE and TOEFL tests are conducted by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). This non-profit organization develops and aids standardized tests across the globe and is well known for its strict testing standards and safety measures for fair test results.
GRE and TOEFL are conducted by the same administrative body ETS which is why the registration process is almost similar for both of the tests. Candidates have to open an account and use the same to register for both exams.
The GRE test lasts for 1 hour and 58 minutes which is slightly under 2 hours. Similarly, the TOEFL test lasts 1 hour and 56 minutes long which is just 2 minutes shorter than the GRE. Hence both tests require the same focus to perform better.
Even though both exams serve the same purpose, exam patterns for the GRE and TOEFL have many differences.
The GRE consists of three main sections with specific timing and question counts:
| Measure | Number of Questions | Time Allocated |
|---|---|---|
| Analytical Writing (One section) | One task: Analyze an Issue | 30 minutes |
| Verbal Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions |
Section 1: 18 minutes Section 2: 23 minutes |
| Quantitative Reasoning (Two sections) | Section 1: 12 questions Section 2: 15 questions |
Section 1: 21 minutes Section 2: 26 minutes |
Total Test Duration: 1 hour 58 minutes
The TOEFL iBT consists of four sections testing different language skills:
| Section | Estimated Timing | Questions/Tasks | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reading | 35 minutes | 20 questions | Read passages and answer questions |
| Listening | 36 minutes | 28 questions | Answer questions after listening to classroom lectures |
| Speaking | 16 minutes | 4 tasks | Discuss material that you read and heard in the task |
| Writing | 29 minutes | 2 tasks | • Read a passage, listen to an audio clip, and write your response • Express and justify your opinion in an online classroom discussion |
Total Test Duration: 1 hour 56 minutes
GRE percentiles help students understand how they rank compared to other test-takers. Achieving a high percentile is important, as some universities prioritize percentile cutoffs over raw scores. Additionally, universities use percentiles to compare candidates' academic profiles and select the most qualified applicants.
| Percentile | Verbal Reasoning (Score) | Quantitative Reasoning (Score) | Analytical Writing (Score) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 96 | 165+ | 170 | 5.5+ |
| 90 | 162+ | 168+ | 5+ |
| 85 | 160+ | 166+ | 4.5+ |
| 80 | 159+ | 165+ | 4+ |
| 75 | 157+ | 163+ | 4+ |
| 70 | 156+ | 161+ | 4+ |
| 65 | 155+ | 159+ | 4+ |
| 60 | 152+ | 158+ | 3.5+ |
TOEFL scores are divided into proficiency levels for each of the four skills:
| Skill | Level (Score Range) |
|---|---|
| Reading | • Advanced (24-30) • High-Intermediate (18-23) • Low-Intermediate (4-17) • Below Low-Intermediate (0-3) |
| Listening | • Advanced (22-30) • High-Intermediate (17-21) • Low-Intermediate (9-16) • Below Low-Intermediate (0-8) |
| Speaking | • Advanced (25-30) • High-Intermediate (20-24) • Low-Intermediate (16-19) • Basic (10-15) • Below Basic (0-9) |
| Writing | • Advanced (24-30) • High-Intermediate (17-23) • Low-Intermediate (13-16) • Basic (7-12) • Below Basic (0-6) |
The GRE is generally considered more challenging than the TOEFL, as it includes:
In contrast, the TOEFL is simpler for those with strong English proficiency. It focuses primarily on:
General confusion among candidates is to choose the right exam for themselves. However, it is advised to check for specific requirements of universities before appearing for any exam, as some institutions require both scores, one, or others. Practice tests can help you choose the right exam by assessing your performance.
The GRE is typically taken by students applying to:
Who should take it: Anyone applying to a graduate school or business school that requires GRE scores should take the GRE.
The TOEFL is specifically for:
Who should take it: If you are applying to an English-speaking university and English is not your first language, you will likely need to take the TOEFL.
Here is a comprehensive comparison of important factors:
| Consideration | TOEFL | GRE |
|---|---|---|
| Exam Cost | ₹16,900 (INR) | ₹22,550 (INR) |
| Score Validity | Two years | Five years |
| Computer Based | Yes | Yes |
| How Universities Use | Assess the English proficiency of a candidate to ensure compatibility with an English-speaking academic environment | Access necessary skills for academic success in graduate-level courses |
Some universities offer alternatives to the GRE, such as:
Some universities accept other English proficiency tests, such as:
In conclusion, GRE and TOEFL are tests people take to seek admission in grad schools. While the GRE determines the preparedness of a candidate for graduate-level coursework, TOEFL measures their proficiency in the English language.
Understanding the differences between GRE vs TOEFL is important to choose the right test for your abilities. Universities consider test scores as a key factor in the admission process. It is advised to thoroughly research each university's score requirements and submit your test scores and the documents they need.
Candidates feel the GRE is more challenging than TOEFL as it involves complex exercises of reading comprehension with challenging vocabulary.
The exam cost associated with the GRE in India is around ₹22,550 (INR).
TOEFL iBT exam typically costs around ₹16,900 (INR).
The difficulty level of the GRE is based on the candidate's preparedness for the exam. However, first-timers often feel GRE is challenging.
The GRE test is conducted 5 times a year and a candidate should wait at least 21 days before appearing for the exam the second time.
Source: NxtWave (CCBP.in)
Contact Information: