PTE Academic and IELTS are both exams designed to measure a student’s English language proficiency, but there are some significant differences between them. The PTE Academic exam is shorter and more focused on practical tasks such as listening, speaking and writing, while the IELTS exam is longer in duration and emphasizes reading and writing more.
Additionally, the PTE Academic includes automated grading of multiple-choice questions and has a faster turnaround time for results. Both exams assess a student’s skills in the areas of grammar and vocabulary, but the focus of each exam varies. Therefore, it is important for students to research both options before making a decision about which one makes the most sense for their situation.
How To Choose The Right Test For You?
Choosing the right language test can sometimes feel like an overwhelming decision. PTE Academic and IELTS are two of the most popular English language proficiency tests, but understanding the differences between them will help you decide which one best fits your needs.
How You Can Decide Which One Is More Suitable For You!
Both PTE Academic and IELTS are widely recognized exams for English proficiency. Although IELTS has been in use more than three decades, PTE Academic is now increasingly accepted by non-English speaking countries to support visa applications.
The major differences between the two exams include the scoring system, task types, test duration and cost of examination. In addition to this, one key difference is that the scores of IELTS are valid for two years while those of PTE Academic are valid for three years. Finally, each exam offers its own advantages depending on the needs of an individual or institution.
Therefore, it is important to make an informed decision based on individual needs in order weigh up which one represents a better option.
- Differences in Format: Timing, Tasks & Questions
One of the key differences between PTE Academic and IELTS is the format of their respective exams. The IELTS exam, for example, consists of four segments – listening, reading, writing and speaking with time allotted differently for each task. In contrast, the PTE Academic exam has all tasks that are timed in a single 3-hour session. Additionally, while there can be up to nine tasks within a PTE Academic exam, there are only six with an IELTS test. Furthermore, the questions vary in complexity and type between tests.
- PTE Academic vs IELTS Scoring System
One of the most important differences between PTE Academic and IELTS is scoring. The IELTS exam generally assigns numeric scores on a scale of 0-9, with 9 being considered an expert level in English. In contrast, PTE Academic uses a more intricate system comprised of 4 parts: listening, reading, speaking and writing. Each section has its own score range from 10-90 points, which are then averaged to give an overall PTE Academic score ranging from 10-90 points.
- Types of Questions on IELTS and PTE
IELTS and PTE Academic both require you to take an English language test, but the types of questions are very different. The IELTS is divided into two parts: academic and general training. Academic tasks include reading, writing, speaking, and listening while general training involves fewer reading and writing tasks than the academic version. On the other hand, PTE Academic generally requires you to answer multiple-choice questions in all four sections: listening, speaking, reading & writing. Additionally, some of the questions can only be answered using a keyboard or keypad.
- What Is the Pass Rate for IELTS and PTE?
As far as pass rates are concerned, PTE Academic is the preferred option for many test-takers. PTE has a global average pass rate of about 68%, meaning that out of 50 people taking the exam, 34 are likely to achieve their desired score. On the other hand, IELTS’ average pass rate is around 58%, which means that only 29 out of 50 test-takers will obtain their desired results on the exam.
- How Long Does It Take to Get Results?
When comparing PTE and IELTS, one of the major differences is the amount of time it takes to receive results. With PTE Academic, results are available almost immediately after taking the exam. After sitting the exam, test-takers can access their scores within 5 business days. However, with IELTS, waiting times vary depending on your location but generally are around 13 days before you will have your final results.
Overall, there are core similarities between the two tests but their usage immensely varies from one institution to another. The extent of preparation may vary as well due to different task formats adopted by each examination . Nevertheless, deciding if PTE or IELTS is better for you should be based on your individual preferences and suitability.
Features:
- Computer based – Integrated test
- Main areas (Listening, Writing , Reading & Speaking)
- Tests ability to communicate under real life situations
- Scoring systems are different
Benefits:
- Quickly evaluate your level of proficiency in English language
- Easily interpret your overall performance with descriptors like “advanced” or “proficient”
- Get detailed scoring system range from 0 to 9 depending on your skill requirements
Conclusion
When deciding between taking the PTE Academic or IELTS exams for measuring their English proficiency level, potential candidates should first consider their own strengths, weaknesses and goals in order to determine which one best suited their needs. Although there are similarities between these two tests in terms of testing grammar and vocabulary knowledge, there are also several key differences that should be taken into account such as time limit, content focus and result speed. Ultimately it is up to each candidate to decide which one offers more advantages based on their circumstances.
