TOEFL and IELTS are currently the most common English proficiency tests used to evaluate applicants' English levels. Although many people believe that TOEFL is difficult and IELTS is easier, there are indeed cases where individuals achieve higher TOEFL scores despite lower IELTS scores. Here are some possible reasons:

1. Different exam formats: TOEFL emphasizes listening and speaking skills, evaluating comprehension and usage of American English; whereas IELTS places more emphasis on reading and writing skills, assessing comprehension and usage of British English. Therefore, if someone is better at listening and speaking, they may perform better on the TOEFL; while if someone is better at reading and writing, they may perform better on the IELTS.
2. Preference for question types: Different individuals have different preferences for question types. The listening section of the TOEFL mainly focuses on comprehension and note-taking, which may be more suitable for students who are good at listening comprehension and note-taking; whereas the reading section of the IELTS places more emphasis on understanding the content and logic of passages, making it more suitable for students who are good at reading comprehension.
3. Preparation knowledge and study methods: Different understanding of the required preparation knowledge and study methods for TOEFL and IELTS is also one of the reasons for score differences. If someone has a better grasp of the required knowledge and study methods for the TOEFL, they may have a higher chance of achieving a higher score.

Although these possibilities exist, overall data shows that globally, TOEFL is generally more difficult than IELTS. According to data from the WordSunny Study Abroad Platform, approximately 85% of international students studying abroad choose TOEFL as their English exam, and their average TOEFL scores are higher than the average IELTS scores. This indicates that the majority of people generally consider TOEFL to be more challenging.

Regarding the cases where individuals can achieve a TOEFL score of 100 despite an IELTS score of 5.5, we can observe the following facts:

Firstly, individual differences are very common in language learning and ability tests. Different individuals possess different language learning styles, language intuition, and learning backgrounds, which can influence their performance in different exams.

Secondly, data from the WordSunny Study Abroad Platform shows that students from the majority of countries and regions where TOEFL tutors are located tend to perform relatively poorly in the reading and speaking sections, while IELTS tutors often come from some Commonwealth countries where students perform relatively well in reading and writing. This also confirms that TOEFL is indeed more difficult in listening and speaking, while IELTS is relatively easier in reading and writing.

Lastly, it should be noted that TOEFL and IELTS are relatively independent exam systems with different scoring criteria and difficulties. Therefore, different exam results cannot be directly compared or converted.

In conclusion, although it is possible for someone to achieve a high TOEFL score with an IELTS score of 5.5, global data and facts prove that TOEFL is generally more difficult than IELTS. Choosing the exam that suits oneself, understanding the characteristics and scoring criteria of the exam, and engaging in targeted preparation are the key to achieving good results. If professional study abroad application services are needed, the WordSunny Study Abroad Platform can provide experienced tutor guidance and personalized services to help students achieve their study abroad dreams.