Differences: PTE vs TOEFL vs IELTS

In today's globalised world, having a good command of the English language has become increasingly important. For students who want to study in English-speaking countries or for people seeking employment opportunities in English-speaking countries, it is essential to prove their English language proficiency.

For this purpose, there are three popular options: PTE (Pearson Test of English), TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), and IELTS (International English Language Testing System).

A beginner may confuse these three exams, but there are some differences, such as PTE fees or exam format. So, in this article, we will compare and contrast the three tests and help you understand which test best suits your needs.

1. Test Format

PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS have different test formats.

• PTE is a computer-based test that assesses listening, reading, speaking, and writing skills. The test includes three parts, with three hours of total testing time.
• TOEFL is also a computer-based test that evaluates four skills: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. The test has four sections, with a total testing time of four hours.
• IELTS, on the other hand, is available in two formats: Academic and General Training. The academic version evaluates reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills and is for students who want to pursue higher education in English-speaking countries. The General Training version is for people who want to migrate to English-speaking countries and evaluates listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills.

2. Scoring System

PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS use different scoring systems.

• PTE uses a computer-based scoring system, meaning the computer grades the test taker's responses. The overall score ranges from 10 to 90, with 10-point increments.
• TOEFL also uses a computer-based scoring system, and the overall score ranges from 0 to 120, with 1-point increments.
• IELTS, on the other hand, uses a band system to grade the test taker's responses. The overall score ranges from 0 to 9, with 0.5-point increments.

3. Test Content

PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS differ in their test content.

• PTE assesses language skills through multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blank questions, and spoken responses.
• TOEFL evaluates language skills through reading, listening, speaking, and writing sections, and the test-taker must answer questions in a multiple-choice format.
• IELTS evaluates reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills through a combination of multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions.

4. Test Duration

The duration of PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS tests varies.

• PTE has a total testing time of three hours, and the candidate must complete the test in one sitting.
• TOEFL has a total testing time of four hours, and the test comprises four sections that you can complete in one day or over multiple days.
• IELTS has a total testing time of two hours and 45 minutes for the Academic version and two hours and 55 minutes for the General Training version, and the candidate must complete the test in one sitting.

5. Test Availability

PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS are available worldwide.

• PTE is available in over 50 countries and has over 200 test centres.
• TOEFL is accessible in over 130 countries and has over 4,500 test centres.
• IELTS is available in over 140 countries and has over 1,600 test centres.

6. Test Validity

The validity of PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS tests also differs.

• PTE scores are valid for two years.
• TOEFL scores are valid for two years
• IELTS scores are valid for two years for the Academic version and two years for the General Training version.

7. Acceptance by Institutions

PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS are all widely accepted by institutions in English-speaking countries. However, some universities and institutions prefer one test over the other.

For example, some universities in Australia and New Zealand prefer PTE, while some universities in the United States prefer TOEFL. IELTS is widely accepted by institutions in the United Kingdom.

Thus, you must consider your requirements before choosing any particular exam.

8. Speaking Section

The speaking section of PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS also differs in format and content.

• In PTE, the speaking section involves recording responses to questions and prompts.
• In TOEFL, the speaking section involves answering questions posed by a human examiner conducted via a headset and microphone.
• In IELTS, the speaking section involves answering questions a human examiner poses in a face-to-face interview.

9. Listening Section

The listening section of PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS also varies in terms of format and content.

• In PTE, the listening section involves listening to audio recordings and answering multiple-choice questions.
• In TOEFL and IELTS, the listening section involves listening to audio recordings and answering various question types, including multiple-choice, matching, and short-answer questions.

10. Reading Section

The reading section of PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS also differs in terms of format and content.

• In PTE, the reading section involves reading a series of passages and answering multiple-choice questions.
• In TOEFL and IELTS, the reading section involves reading a series of passages and answering a variety of different question types, including multiple-choice, matching, and short-answer questions.

11. Writing Section

The writing section of PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS also differs in the following manner.

• In PTE, the writing section involves writing an essay and summarizing a given text or spoken passage.
• In TOEFL and IELTS, the writing section involves writing an essay and completing a writing task based on a given prompt.

Conclusion

PTE, TOEFL, and IELTS are three popular tests used to assess English language proficiency. Each test has its format, scoring system, content, duration, availability, cost, validity, and institution acceptance.

Understanding the differences between the tests and choosing the one that best suits your needs is essential. PTE might be your best option if you are looking for a test that evaluates all four skills and uses a computer-based scoring system.

If you are looking for a test that evaluates all four skills and is widely accepted by institutions in the United States, TOEFL might be the best option for you. IELTS might be the best option if you are looking for a test that evaluates all four skills and is widely accepted by institutions in the United Kingdom.

For better guidance and help, reach out to Englishwise, an excellent choice for your PTE online clasess for preparation. Contact them for more information about their courses and PTE fees.