I Passed IELTS… So Why Am I Struggling With TOEFL?

[Temi Odurinde]

A lot of Nigerian students enter the TOEFL exam feeling confident after passing IELTS, only to come out shocked by the result.

If this sounds familiar, you are definitely not alone.

Many students in Nigeria assume both exams are almost the same because they both test English proficiency. But after taking TOEFL, they quickly realise the experience is completely different.

So why does this happen?

“But I Speak Good English…”

This is probably the most common thing students say after struggling with TOEFL.

The truth is:
TOEFL is not just testing your English. It is testing:

speed
academic listening
note-taking
typing
time management
and exam strategy

You can be fluent in English and still struggle if you are not familiar with how TOEFL works. If you do, you are at the right place, Odurinde Nigerian TOEFL Community can help you!

TOEFL Feels More Academic Than IELTS

One major shock for Nigerian students is how “school-like” TOEFL feels.

In the exam, you may hear:

university lectures
classroom discussions
academic vocabulary
scientific explanations

The listening section especially can feel overwhelming because the speakers talk fast and expect you to follow complex ideas quickly.

Many students who passed IELTS are more used to conversational English and practical communication topics.

The Speaking Section Surprises Many Nigerians

In IELTS, you speak directly to a human examiner.

That interaction feels natural for many Nigerians because we are used to face-to-face communication.

TOEFL is different.

You speak into a microphone while:

a timer counts down
other candidates are speaking around you
you only have seconds to prepare

For many first-time test takers, this becomes stressful very quickly.

Some students even freeze despite knowing exactly what they want to say.

American Accents Can Be Difficult at First

Another issue is accent familiarity.

Many Nigerians grow up more exposed to:

British English
Nigerian English
WAEC/IELTS-style listening

TOEFL mostly uses North American accents and university lecture styles.

If you are not used to hearing fast American academic conversations, the listening section may feel harder than expected.

Typing Speed Matters More Than People Think

Unlike some IELTS formats, TOEFL is fully computer-based.

This means you must:

think quickly
organise ideas fast
type efficiently under pressure

Some students know the answers in their heads but cannot type fast enough before time runs out.

Common Mistakes Nigerian Students Make

Here are some mistakes many candidates admit after taking TOEFL:

1. Assuming IELTS Preparation Is Enough

TOEFL has its own strategy and structure.

2. Not Practising Timed Speaking

Many students practise speaking casually instead of under strict time pressure.

3. Ignoring Note-Taking Practice

TOEFL listening becomes much easier when your note-taking improves.

4. Using Big Grammar Instead of Clear Communication

Trying to sound “too advanced” can sometimes reduce clarity.

5. Not Practising With Real TOEFL Software

The exam environment itself can feel unfamiliar if you only study from PDFs or YouTube clips.

The Good News

Struggling with TOEFL after passing IELTS does NOT mean your English is bad.

In most cases, it simply means:

you were unfamiliar with the TOEFL format
you needed more TOEFL-specific practice
the exam style did not match your preparation

Many Nigerian students improve massively on their second attempt once they understand the structure properly.

Discussion Time 👇

Have you taken both IELTS and TOEFL before?

Which one did you find harder as a Nigerian student — and why?

Share your experience below. Your story may help another student preparing for the exam.

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