If you wonder whether you should take the IELTS or TOEFL test and whether one will be easier to the other, or if you are more likely to have wider access to univeristies abroad, we have put together some thoughts to consider before making a choice.

There are currently two main establishements in the English test market where you can take a test: IELTS, co-owned by the British Council and the University of Cambridge, or the USA-based ETS TOEFL test. The choice is upon you.

Before TOEFL has been seen as the only choice to gain access into American universities. However, in recent years, IELTs has gained wide recognition as an alternative to TOEFL. If you would like to take IELTS but would like reassurance that you chose the right English test for the university you are applying for, we advise you to consult the IELTS official recognition test.

Once you know whether IELTS or TOEFL are accepted as a valid entry English test to the university of your choice, you can decide which test to go for. We do not want to sell you IELTS as the most suitable or only English test, but we would like to highlight the clear advantages you get when you get IELTS:

1. Applying for IELTS is very easy. Once you decide which type of IELTS you would like to take: Academic or General Training, you may visit our dates and locations section. Once you have chosen your date for the test and send an application, we will be in touch with you regarding other info. Perhaps here we can give an average amount of time you need to go through the process
2. IELTS day preparation courses are available to help you prepare for the test. You could even test your level online with our English test online tool
3. When you sign up with IELTS you immediately get 'free of charge' access to our online preparation material
4. We can advise you on the best material you can buy to prepapre for the test.
5. We have a network of IELTS schools where you can take your test. The main centres are in Lille, Lyon, Bordeaux and Paris, however the network is growing rapidly to other cities across France
6. IELTS results can be ready in only 13 days. We will notify you by letter orr put your results online for consultation

In 2006, the British Council in France organised 3,000 IELTS tests, 70,000 in Europe and 150,000 worldwide (figures not real). While TOEFL remains popular in France, IELTS, supported by the British Council brand, continues to grow rapidly. Find out more about IELTS and how to prepare for the IELTS test