TOEFL vs IELTS: What Parents Should Know When Applying to International Schools

For many families preparing for international schools, English exams become an important part of the journey. As someone who has taught English for nearly 15 years and prepared students for both IELTS and TOEFL, I see the same questions again and again: Which exam is better? When should my child start? Do international schools actually require these tests? This guide will walk you through the essentials, help you understand the differences, and show how these exams connect directly to international school admissions across Asia.

Why International Schools Care About IELTS and TOEFL

International schools aim to place students in the right English level from day one. Strong language skills help children:

Learn confidently in English-medium classrooms
Communicate clearly with teachers and classmates
Move into more advanced programs — IGCSE, MYP, DP, AP
Integrate socially and academically

While not all international schools require IELTS or TOEFL, many use them for:

Language placement (deciding class level or support classes)
Middle and high school admissions
Scholarship or fast-track programs
Support evaluations for EAL (English as an Additional Language)

Schools in Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Thailand, and the UAE increasingly request standardized exams, especially for older students.

IELTS vs TOEFL: Clear Differences

1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

Best for: Students who use British or international curriculum schools (IGCSE, IB)
Format: Paper or computer-based
Focus: Real-life communication
Speaking: Face-to-face with an examiner

Why kids do well in IELTS:
Younger students who speak naturally and enjoy discussion often perform strongly because the speaking part feels like a real conversation.

2. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Best for: Students who prefer digital tasks and structured formats
Format: 100% computer-based
Focus: Academic English — lectures, notes, presentations
Speaking: Recorded answers into a microphone

Why teens do well in TOEFL:
If your child likes clear structure, predictable tasks, and academic-style listening, TOEFL can be a comfortable choice.

Which Exam Is Better for International Schools?

Here’s what I tell parents: choose the exam that matches your child’s personality and strengths.
Both exams are accepted globally — international schools do not prefer one over the other.

Choose IELTS if your child:

speaks confidently
enjoys conversation
needs a more natural speaking format
is entering a school with a British/IB environment

Choose TOEFL if your child:

works well with structured questions
prefers computer tasks
is entering a school with an American-style curriculum

If your child is under 13:

Most international schools won’t require either exam — they may use their own English assessment. But early training helps children build confidence, especially if the family plans to move.

What Scores Do International Schools Look For?

Every school sets its own benchmark, but here are common averages across Asia:

Middle School Admission

IELTS: 4.0–5.0
TOEFL: 40–60

High School Admission (IGCSE / MYP / DP / AP)

IELTS: 5.0–6.0
TOEFL: 60–80

Top-tier schools

May require:

IELTS 6.5 or
TOEFL 80+

These scores aren’t about “passing” — they simply identify the right level and whether a student needs EAL support.

How Long Does Preparation Take?

After years of teaching, here’s the pattern I see:

Younger students (10–13): 4–6 months of structured preparation
Teenagers (14–17): 2–4 months if English level is already solid
Beginners: 6–12 months

But progress depends much more on confidence, consistency, and real-life practice, not just exam tasks.

How I Teach Students to Get High Scores

In my classes, I focus on three things:

1. Confidence before accuracy

Students speak more naturally when they aren’t afraid of being wrong.

2. Real communication

We work with real topics — school life, travel, daily experiences — so the language feels alive, not memorized.

3. Skills that transfer to international school classrooms

note-taking
clear explanations
active reading
listening to accents
writing structured paragraphs

These aren’t exam tricks — they’re the skills students use every day in international schools.

Do These Exams Actually Help Children Once They Get In?

Absolutely.

Students with TOEFL/IELTS training adapt faster because they already recognize:

academic listening (lectures, discussions)
writing formats used in IB and AP essays
vocabulary needed for science, humanities, literature
time management during tests

Parents often tell me that after exam prep, their children communicate more confidently at school and even socially.

Practical Advice for Parents

If your child is applying soon:

Start with a diagnostic test to understand their level.

If your child is younger:

Focus on strong foundations — reading, speaking, writing stories, and building vocabulary.
Exams can come later.

If you’re unsure which exam to choose:

Ask the school directly — and choose the exam that feels more natural for your child’s learning style.

Final Thoughts

IELTS and TOEFL are not just tests — they help students build the skills they need to succeed in English-speaking classrooms. With the right support, preparation becomes motivating, not stressful. I’ve seen students walk in nervous and walk out confident, proud, and ready for the next step.

And that, in the end, is what matters most.

If a family is planning a relocation or applying to international schools across Asia, these exams can be a powerful tool for opening new doors — and I’m always happy to guide students through that process with clarity, structure, and a bit of joy in learning.