IELTS or, PTE: A Common Question Asked”
IELTS or PTE both are English Language Proficiency Tests, one of the essential criteria for students who have English as their second language and want to pursue their higher education in an English speaking country. TOEFL is also a popular test for English Proficiency however; we will focus on the differences of IELTS and PTE.
Getting started with the basics; IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System and PTE stands for Pearson Test of English. Both the tests measure the ability in English language and are accepted widely.
The score for IELTS ranges on a scale of band 0-9 while, the score for PTE ranges from 0- 90. The total test time for IELTS is approximately 170 minutes and the total test time for PTE is approximately 191 minutes. The Reading and the Listening tests in the IELTS are auto-marked while the Writing and the Speaking tests are marked by language experts. However, all the tests in the PTE are machine scored using the automated scoring system.
In terms of how you can take the test, IELTS offers both computer and paper-based tests while, PTE offers only computer based test. There is also a General Training test offered by IELTS. Both the tests are divided into four different sections: Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking.
The major difference is in the Speaking test where in IELTS Speaking, you will have a face-to-face exam with an examiner (a real human) however in the PTE Speaking test you will have to speak in a microphone which is recorded in a computerized system.
The Reading, Listening, Writing and Speaking skills are assessed separately in IELTS. However, there are many integrated questions in PTE such reading and writing in the reading part or, listening and speaking in the speaking part.
If you are appearing for a computer based IELTS, it doesn’t time the individual questions, you also have the choice to skip questions and come back later to complete them and you can even check your answers later. In the PTE, the individual questions are timed and you will only be able to navigate forward through the questions which mean you need to correct any mistakes before you move on to the next question as you cannot come back later.
In terms of results, the result for paper based IELTS are released 13 days after the test and the results for computer- delivered tests are released 2-5 calendar days. You can get the results for PTE in 5 business days.
A lot of students ask if PTE is easier than IELTS. The answer to this question is subjective as it entirely depends on every individual. Some may find the PTE test easier than IELTS while, others may find the IELTS test a lot easier.
The best way to find out is to take a mock test for both, analyze the scores and get yourself acquainted with the test. You should simply go for the one that suits you best in terms of whichever is more comfortable for you.
While you may be struggling to improve your scores in the PTE speaking, IELTS may just be the test for you! On the other hand, if you are struggling with your scores in the IELTS writing, PTE might just be the right test for you!
Henceforth, rather than only making decisions based on what you hear from your friends who have already taken the tests, it is important that you also find out which test suits you better in terms of the structure of the test and how comfortable you are in preparing and performing for the test. [/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_empty_space][/vc_column][/vc_row]