The International English Language Testing System ( or IELTS pronounced "eye-elts")  is an international standardised test of English language proficiency.

There are two versions of the IELTS: the Academic Version and the General Training Version.
The Academic Version is intended for those who want to enroll in universities and other institutions of higher education and for professionals such as medical doctors and nurses who want to study or practice in an English-speaking country.
The General Training Version is intended for those planning to undertake non-academic training or to gain work experience, or for immigration purposes.

All candidates must complete four Modules - Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking - to obtain a band score. 

Task Description and approximate time: 

LISTENING:     
4 passages    40 questions    
30 minutes 

READING:         
3 passages    40 questions
60 minutes

WRITING:         
2 tasks 
60 minutes

SPEAKING:
3 tasks
11-14 minutes

The first three modules - Listening, Reading and Writing (always in that order) - are completed in one day, and are taken with no break in between.
The Speaking Module may be taken, at the discretion of the test centre, in the period seven days before or after the other Modules.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (or TOEFL, pronounced "toe-full") evaluates the ability of an individual to use and understand English in an academic setting.

It often is an admission requirement for non-native English speakers at many English-speaking colleges and universities.

The four-hour computer based test consists of four sections, each measuring one of the basic language skills; reading, writing, listening and speaking.
Some tasks require integrating multiple skills and all tasks focus on language used in an academic, higher-education environment. Note-taking is allowed during the iBT.


Task Description and approximate time

READING        
3–5 passages,  12–14 questions each        
60–100 minutes

LISTENING     
6–9 passages,  5–6 questions each             
60–90 minutes

BREAK - 10 minutes

SPEAKING     
6 tasks 
20 minutes

WRITING       
2 tasks 
55 minutes