What is the difference between SAT, TOEFL and IELTS?

1. Different meanings

SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is an American undergraduate entrance exam, commonly known as the "American College Entrance Examination". It is an exam that American high school students need to take to enter American universities. Its importance is equivalent to China's college entrance examination. It is also an important reference for high school students from other countries to apply for undergraduate studies in American universities.

IELTS--IELTS, the abbreviation of International English Language Testing System, the abbreviation of "International English Testing System", is jointly organized by the Cambridge University Examination Board, the British Council and the Australian Agency for International Development.

IELTS mainly evaluates the language ability of candidates using English as a tool to study, train or immigrate to live in an English-speaking country.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Test of English as a Foreign Language) is organized by the Educational Testing Service (Educational Testing Service) of the United States for applicants to go to college or graduate school in countries such as the United States or Canada. An English proficiency test provided to students from non-English speaking countries studying in colleges.

The Educational Testing Service has administered the test since 1965.

2. Different Applicable Targets

SAT is suitable for high school graduates and freshman and sophomore students who want to apply for top-ranked undergraduate programs or scholarships in the United States.

IELTS can be used to study abroad or immigrate. If you plan to study abroad or receive higher education, you should choose the academic IELTS test; if you plan to complete primary education, receive non-academic training, work or immigrate to an English-speaking country, you should choose the training IELTS test.

In addition to colleges and universities in most countries such as the United States and Canada, TOEFL test scores have also been recognized by some countries and regions in Europe (such as the United Kingdom), Oceania (such as Australia, New Zealand), and Southeast Asia.

In recent years, domestic United Nations agencies in China and foreign companies and joint ventures have also used T0FFL test scores when hiring staff, or when the International Fund tests staff's English proficiency.

3. Different types of exams

The IELTS exam is divided into two types, academic and training. Both types of exams consist of four parts: listening, reading, writing and speaking. Among them, the academic and training categories use the same test questions for listening and speaking, and different test questions for reading and writing.

TOEFL test structure is divided into four parts: listening, speaking, reading and writing, and comprehensively tests students' four English language abilities: listening, reading, writing and speaking.

In terms of content, the language content and scenes used in the new TOEFL test come from many real scenes on North American university campuses, covering six categories: education, humanities, business, engineering technology, natural sciences and social studies.

SAT is divided into three parts: reading, grammar and mathematics, and writing is changed to an optional test. ETS is responsible for the proposition and marking work. However, they are only one of the materials for reference when admitting students and cannot be a completely decisive factor. Their scores are valid for 2 years.

Reference materials: Baidu Encyclopedia-SAT

Baidu Encyclopedia-IELTS

Baidu Encyclopedia-TOEFL