Introduction
When you are planning to go abroad for employment or higher
studies, language proficiency is very important. It gives you the scope of academic
opportunities as well as career advancements. When you decide to go abroad and want to prove
your language proficiency then two major tests you will come across. They are the International
English Language Testing System (IELTS) and Pearson Test of English (PTE).
IELTS and PTE are the most popular language proficiency tests among foreign
immigrants. Selection of one test from the two is the first step for many which will help them
to achieve their dreams. To determine which one is the best one needs to understand both the
exams properly and compare them.
In this article, we aim to help those who are confused between IELTS vs PTE and
provide a detailed exploration and analysis of both exams. We will help test takers get the
knowledge and insights necessary to choose between the two exams.
IELTS is an exam which is established by the British Council, IDP Australia and Cambridge
English Language Assessment and it has been recognised as a benchmark for assessment of English
proficiency. Whereas PTE is formulated by Pearson PLC and offers a technology-driven alternative
to traditional language assessments. If you have plans to appear for either of them then you can
take the help of Global Colliance. Global Colliance is one of the best education
consultants in Delhi. It can provide the proper guidance needed.
As a test taker one needs to consider several factors which play an important role in the
decision-making process. The difficulty level, accessibility to test centres, accuracy and
reliability are some of the factors that need to be considered. In this article, we will study
in depth about both exams and help test takers choose the best from IELTS and
PTE. Before that let’s first understand the difference between IELTS and
PTE with the help of its definition.
The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is
an English Proficiency Exam that evaluates an individual’s proficiency in the English language.
It is recognised by the governments of various countries for academic studies and immigration
purposes.
At present it is accepted by 10,000+ employers, universities, schools and immigration bodies
throughout the world. A good IELTS score can get you entry to Australia, New Zealand, Canada,
the United States and the United Kingdom.
The PTE Exam is one of the widely accepted English language
proficiency tests for student applications and immigration visas throughout the world. PTE is
the computer-based English Language proficiency test which assesses a candidate’s skill in
writing, speaking, reading and listening to the English language.
The exam is administered by Pearson PLC- a leading British multinational publishing company. The
test is taken on the computer for 3 hours of single sitting. The test result is declared within
5 business days of the test taken.
IELTS and PTE both are among the widely accepted English proficiency tests throughout the world. So, it becomes very challenging for students and professionals to decide which test to opt for. There are various parameters that one can consider for deciding which test to opt for. These include test format, scoring system, availability of test centres etc. Let’s compare these basic parameters of both tests to understand this in a better way.
Those individuals who are planning to appear for English
language proficiency tests need to understand the format of IELTS and PTE. Both exams serve
the same purpose but still have a difference in structure and assessment methodologies.
Let’s understand each of the exams.
IELTS is a globally recognised assessment exam which has four main sections i.e. Listening,
Reading, Speaking and Writing. The exam is undertaken for 2 hours and 45 minutes. The
listening section has 4 recorded monologues and conversations. Test takers need to answer 40
questions based on audio content. This helps to assess their ability to comprehend spoken
English.
After the listening section candidate needs to proceed to a reading component in which the
understanding of written English is assessed. The reading section has three passages which
have a certain set of questions that need to be answered.
After reading comes the writing section which is divided into Task 1 and Task 2. In Task 1
candidate needs to interpret the visual information. Whereas in Task 2 candidate needs to
write an essay. Finally comes the speaking section of IELTS in which the candidate needs to
face an interview. It is divided into three parts and assesses test takers’ vocabulary,
grammar and overall communication.
Now let’s come to the PTE exam part. PTE is a technology-driven approach to language
assessment. The exam has three main sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading and Listening. The
exam is concluded within a two-hour timeframe.
The speaking & writing section in PTE is a combination of both speaking and writing tasks.
The tasks here include summarization of spoken text, answering the prompts and giving
written responses. After this comes the reading section where the ability to comprehend
written English is tested of an individual.
The listening part of the PTE exam has an assessment of the candidate’s spoken English. This
is done with the help of audio recordings. Test takers need to answer the questions based on
the audio content.
Both IELTS and PTE differ significantly in their format and structure. Understanding the
difference is necessary for the test takers.
When we speak about the scoring system there is a
difference between PTE and IELTS. Both the tests serve the same purpose but
still differ in the scoring system. This can influence a lot the candidate’s preference and
preparation strategies.
IELTS has a band score system that ranges from 0 to 9. Each band represents a different
level of proficiency. The test assesses 4 language skills which are listening, reading,
writing and speaking. Each skill is given individual scoring and the final band score is the
average of all.
Whereas the PTE exam has a point-based scoring method. Here the score can range from 10 to
90. PTE also assess 4 skills like IELTS which is Speaking & Writing, Reading and Listening.
The overall score is the some of each section.
One of the major differences between the IELTS and PTE is the method of assessment. This is
seen in the Speaking and Writing section. In the IELTS exam, the speaking section has
face-to-face interviews and the writing section has essay writing, letter composition etc.
But PTE Speaking and Writing are computer-based. Candidate has to speak into a microphone
and type their responses.
Both PTE and IELTS differ a bit when it comes to
difficulty level. Both tests are for assessing your language proficiency at various levels
from beginner to advanced. However, for some candidates, certain parts of the test become
more challenging due to differences in the format and question types.
Some candidates who have a fear of interaction can find the IELTS face-to-face speaking test
a bit tough. Furthermore, writing test requires essay writing and letter composition. These
may be found challenging for those who are not good at writing.
PTE is an online exam so it may be difficult for those who are still not used to technology.
The speaking section of the exam requires a candidate to record the response. This can be
challenging for some in terms of pronunciation and fluency assessment.
There is a widespread acceptance of both IELTS and PTE
exams by employers, academic institutions, and immigration authorities. IELTS is a very
trusted English proficiency test accepted globally by 11000+ organizations in more than 140
countries.
PTE, too has widespread global recognition and acceptance since its inception. The test is
taken at 300 test centres in more than 50 countries. PTE is accepted by thousands of
universities, colleges, governments and employers globally.
Both exams give test takers flexibility to choose from multiple test dates, locations etc.
This helps the candidates to schedule the exam at their convenience.
Selecting one exam from IELTS and PTE depends on personal
preference, test format as well as individual strengths and weaknesses. You shall consider the
test format before opting for the test. If you like traditional old-school pen paper and
interview format then IELTS is more suitable for you. But if you are tech savvy then you can opt
for PTE which is an automated test.
Test content also is a factor that can be taken into consideration when selecting from both
IELTS and PTE. If you are good at written communication then IELTS may be better for you. And if
you are computer literate and want a variety of questions then PTE can be a good choice.
Both IELTS and PTE tests have multiple test locations and dates worldwide. There is a
possibility that the test location may not be available in your area Or dates may not be
comfortable for you. So do consider this while deciding which test to opt for.
The choice between both exams depends on your goals and preferences. Conduct a bit of research
before making the final decision.
Conclusion
IELTS and PTE are both widely accepted English
language proficiency tests. Both exams serve different purposes and cater to the diverse needs
of candidates. Through the proper analysis, we conclude that both the tests have their own
challenges and advantages and hence make them suitable choices for different
individuals.
IELTS has been a very popular exam for a long time and is defined as the gold standard in
English proficiency tests. It has a traditional approach where the test is offline pen-paper
based and you have to give face-to-face speaking assessments. On the other hand, PTE works in
full digital format. PTE is a fully computerised test that is very convenient for new-age
tech-savvy people.
The scoring system of both tests also differs. IELTS has a band scoring system whereas PTE
evaluates based on a scoring algorithm. Flexibility in tests and the availability of test
centres also play a big role in the selection of the right test.
Finally, whether to opt for IELTS or PTE depends on your individual choice. You need to analyse
properly before making a final decision. If you are looking for some help with the preparation
then Global Colliance can help you. Global Colliance is among the leading study abroad
consultants in Delhi.
Global Colliance is your gateway to a world of opportunities. We offer distinctive support for your educational journey and proudly stand as the best study abroad consultant. Contact us today and give us the chance to help shape your future and turn your study abroad dreams into reality.
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