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International students and workers must take a standardized test of English to move into higher levels of education and employment. There are two popular tests that universities or employers usually use. They are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Usually, a student applying to a school learns which test the program requires. However, some programs or universities will accept scores from any of the international tests of English. Then, a student may choose which test to take. The TOEFL tests English used in the classroom and there are several versions of the test. Students take the Internet Based TOEFL, or TOEFL IBT, on a computer. Many U.S. universities require the TOEFL IBT for international student admissions. Another TOEFL is the paper-based TOEFL, or TOEFL ITP, but it is not accepted for entrance to universities. There are also two new TOEFL tests for young people between the ages of 8 and 15. The IELTS has two forms. The Listening and Speaking parts are the same for both forms. In the Reading and Writing sections, however, there are two different tests. The Academic IELTS uses topics and materials covered in undergraduate, graduate, or professional programs. The General IELTS uses topics and material from everyday books, newspapers and magazines. Join us next week for more information about these two tests.
