If you wish to study in an English-speaking country, you can take two popular English proficiency tests: IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE (Pearson Test of English).
According to India Today, official records show that the number of people taking the IELTS exam in India to study in or migrate to an English-speaking nation has surged by up to 15% since the pre-pandemic years.
You may be struggling to pick between IELTS and PTE, and many questions occur in your head, such as: Is PTE simpler than IELTS? PTE versus IELTS: Which is better? What is the difference between the IELTS and the PTE?
Read on to discover more about the IELTS and PTE tests.
Candidates seeking higher education overseas must demonstrate their English language skills. IELTS Academic and TOEFL® iBT have long been the preferred exams for international students. The British Council, IDP, and Cambridge Assessment English collaborate to deliver the IELTS test. The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). However, the Pearson Test of English (PTE) has recently acquired popularity for demonstrating English ability for overseas admission.
When deciding on English language exams, one of the most common queries that candidates have is which test to take: IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL? But don’t worry, you’re at the correct spot. Contact us today and receive comprehensive, personalised advice on the admissions process at institutions abroad! By signing up with us, you will receive professional help and counselling in identifying the best exams, institutions for your career goals.
Read on to discover more about the IELTS and PTE tests. It compares IELTS with PTE in all important characteristics, such as pattern, structure, and score comparison. As a result, you’ll be able to figure out: Which exam is most suited to your talents and requirements?
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Parameters | IELTS | PTE |
Conducted by | IDP Education Ltd. | Pearson PLC group |
Test types | IELTS Academic, IELTS General Training | PTE Academic |
Duration | 2 hours and 45 Minutes | 3 hours |
Break | No breaks. The speaking portion can be taken a week before or after the test. | Optional 10 minutes |
Range of scores | 0 – 9 | 10 – 90 |
Result | Paper-based- 13 days | 2 days |
Cost | INR 16,250 | INR 15,900 |
IELTS and PTE both aim to assess core English language abilities. Among the various differences between IELTS and PTE, it is critical to first consider their key commonalities.
The major goal of both tests is to assess your ability in understanding and using the English language.
Both IELTS and PTE use four fundamental components—reading, writing, speaking, and listening—to assess your language abilities completely.
IELTS, once a pen-and-paper exam but now accessible in a computer-based format, and PTE, a computer-based examination from its beginnings, allow applicants to reply in either the major UK or US English dialects. British and American versions of the language are acceptable, catering to a wide spectrum of English speakers.
After establishing these key resemblances, let us quickly look at the differences that distinguish IELTS from PTE.
Planning for success in language exams requires knowing the ins and outs of the test pattern, including its parts, structure, and time required. That’s the information that this part aims to provide precisely.
The following is the order in which the four test portions are presented on the IELTS exam:
Listening
Reading
Writing
Speaking
There are three test portions in the PTE exam, and they are organized as follows:
Speaking and Writing (Combined Section)
Reading
Listening
The table below provides a breakdown of the differences between the PTE and IELTS sections.
Exam Section | PTE | IELTS |
Listening | In 45 and 57 minutes, examinees need to answer a series of questions that are based on audio and video clips. | Students need to answer 40 questions in 30 minutes across four recordings |
Reading | In 32 to 40 minutes, examinees have to complete objective exercises such as MCQs, filling up blanks and sequencing paragraphs of texts. | Students have to answer 40 questions in 30 minutes across three texts |
Writing | Both Writing & Speaking sections are combined in the PTE for a total of 77-93 minutes. Students must accomplish a variety of tasks, including introducing themselves, reading aloud, describing imagery, summarizing texts, and writing essays. | There are two essays to complete in 60 minutes. The first is an analysis of a visual graph/data, and the second is an argumentative activity in which examinees have to explain their point of view. |
Speaking | This activity requires students to speak to the examiner about themselves, provide their viewpoint on a topic, or finally describe abstract topics. |
IELTS is rated on a range of 0 to 9, with a 0.5 gap between each component, and then averaged for the four sections where institutions need minimum scores of 6.0 and 6.5. Candidates are given a band score for each area, as well as an average score based on the band scores.
PTE rates applicants on a worldwide scale of English from 10 to 90, with colleges preferring a minimum of 55 to 60. PTE applicants, like IELTS candidates, receive a full section-by-section analysis.
The table below compares the PTE and IELTS scores.
PTE Score | IELTS Score |
30 | 4.5 |
36 | 5.0 |
42 | 5.5 |
50 | 6 |
58 | 6.5 |
65 | 7.0 |
73 | 7.5 |
79 | 8.0 |
83 | 8.5 |
86 | 9.0 |
You might be wondering, “What is the validity of the IELTS and PTE scores?” Well, both IELTS and PTE scores are valid for two years.
Now you understand the difference between PTE and IELTS results. Overall, the PTE is a machine-evaluated examination with a very small margin of error. Next, we’ll look at the cost, academic standards, and other differences between the PTE and IELTS.
The variations in cost and acceptability between the IELTS and PTE tests are as follows:
PTE vs. IELTS Cost: The examination fees for both IELTS and PTE are nearly same. The IELTS costs INR 17,000 and the PTE costs INR 15,900, including GST.
PTE vs. IELTS Acceptance: IELTS is still significantly more widely accepted, with 10,000 colleges in 140 countries. The PTE has gained popularity since its introduction in 2009. The trends show that PTE is becoming increasingly popular in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
Every applicant wants to know which exam will be most suitable for them. We recommend that applicants take at least one mock exam in each and compare their PTE scores to IELTS scores before selecting which is the best fit.
The major factor is the acceptance of the test result by the desired university or country. Some educational institutions only accept particular test results for language competency. Additionally, the language proficiency exam result is important throughout the student visa application procedure. The approved test scores are clearly mentioned by each country’s immigration departments.
In terms of academics, IELTS and PTE differ slightly. Academically, there are four crucial aspects for you to consider while deciding between the two:
Comfort with test type: If you are familiar with the written test style, IELTS will be more comfortable for you, but PTE will be chosen if you are confident in your ability to operate a digital user interface.
Agility in Problem Solving: If you can solve a large number of problems rapidly, PTE is the better test to take than IELTS.
Comfort with Writing: Given the emphasis on analytical writing, IELTS is an excellent choice if you can do so fast.
Your Speaking Accent: The PTE analyses the speaking part using pronunciation as the primary criteria. As a result, if you speak with a heavy accent, IELTS is the best option.
Overall, depending on your understanding of the four factors listed above and the outcomes of the mock test, you may choose which English proficiency test is best for you.
In addition to the academic incentives listed above, there are certain administrative or operational benefits to taking the PTE, particularly if you need to take the exam within a few days and report your results to a university within a week. PTE’s extremely fast booking period and average result delivery time of two days may give you an advantage over IELTS, particularly if you have deadlines to meet. Furthermore, the PTE may be retaken within five days after the prior try, which is worth considering if you’re very apprehensive about taking the test for the first time.
However, the availability of test centres for IELTS is greater, which might be important if you’re taking the exam in a few days and need to travel to a neighbouring city for the test.
Getting into your dream institution might be difficult. Before you get there, you must choose between two exams: IELTS and PTE. These examinations allow you to enhance your English language and interact effectively in another country.
So, which test should you take—IELTS or PTE? It depends on your requirements. The crucial elements stated above might help you make a decision.
However, when taking the exam, go with what you like. Experts at Global Campus can provide more help. They can provide you with the best ideas for acing your English exam!
Consult with our experts today and begin on a journey where excellent communication leads to the greatest opportunities.
It is impossible to rank either of the two tests as simple or tough. Nonetheless, some may find one more palatable than the other when considering the variations in pattern and structure. Additionally, PTE uses an adaptive format, while IELTS has a set number of questions.
IELTS can be challenging, especially when it comes to writing, where there is higher academic competence needed. Conversely, PTE may appear marginally simpler to examinees since it concentrates more on application level learning rather than going into great detail about fundamental concepts.
The IELTS writing component has two tasks, whereas the PTE writing section contains 2-4 questions.
There is no maximum number of tries for the IELTS and PTE tests. A candidate can retake the PTE exam within 5 days. However, a candidate will have to pay the exam fee again for each attempt.
A candidate in the PTE test has to respond to one question before going on to the next. In contrast, a candidate may skip questions on the IELTS exam and come back to them at a later time to complete them.
It is feasible to reschedule or cancel the tests up to five weeks prior to the scheduled test date. Unless there is an emergency or a legitimate medical cause, full fees is charged. Refunds are possible with a valid medical certificate that is submitted five days prior to the test date, less an administration cost. Under some circumstances, rescheduling is also permitted as long as a good explanation is given.
For a Bachelor’s program, an applicant must typically require a minimum of 6.0 out of 9.0 in each of the four IELTS parts; however, Master’s programs sometimes demand an aggregate score of 6.5. A score of 7.0 could be required for some overseas programs, such as nursing or engineering.
A minimum of 46 out of 90 points is needed on the PTE for admission to a bachelor’s degree program; a Master’s program may need 56 points overall, with technical courses sometimes requiring 66 points in each component.
Indeed, PTE Academic is accepted and recognized in Canada for a number of education paths, including the popular Student Direct Stream (SDS) path. Recognized by several of the country’s Designated Learning Institutes, PTE Academic provides you with an efficient and dependable route to achieving your academic goals in Canada’s diverse educational environment.
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