Ever wondered what is the difference between IELTS and PTE?

Well, generally for people who wish to study or settle abroad, IELTS and PTE Examinations are popular tests of English for non-native English speakers.  

IELTS or The International English Language Testing System for the English Language was created in 1989 to examine the English language proficiency of the Non-Native speakers, while the PTE or The Pearson Test of English is one of the most recent entrants in the domain in this field.

Below, we have categorised the difference between the two on the basis of the overall structure, sections (i.e. reading, writing and listening), score, and lastly list down the advantages and disadvantages associated with both.

Hope by the end of this post you will be clear of the differences between these two.

1. Overall Structure

Please refer to the table below to know the difference between the overall structure of IELTS and PTE Exam.

2. Score

IELTS and PTE calculate scores differently. PTE score is based on the overall performance of an individual, whereas in IELTS scores are calculated individually for each section. Some of the key differences between the two are:

• IELTS score bands are between 0 and 9.
• In IELTS scores are first calculated individually, and then the total score is created.
• The PTE scores are calculated between 0 and 90.
• A good PTE score is 70 plus.
• A good IELTS score is above 6.

Sections

In PTE there are integrated questions for listening and speaking in the speaking portion of the exam or reading and writing in the reading part, or reading and speaking in the speaking part.

While, In IELTS, your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills are assessed separately. So, your reading test only looks at your reading, and not speaking at the same time.

Also, during the test, in PTE, you must correct mistakes before moving onto the next question. The individual questions are also timed. In computer-delivered IELTS you can skip questions and come back to them to complete. IELTS doesn’t time the individual questions.

Let’s deal with each section individually now:

1. Reading:

Being an integrated test, in PTE you are not only assessed on your reading abilities but also on your writing skills. While in IELTS it’s just about reading also the nature of the question in IELTS in this section is quite lengthy as compared to PTE. Refer to the table below for more insight:

2. Listening:

In both of these tests for this section, candidates are required to hear the audio recordings and then answer accordingly. In IELTS this section is usually shorter than PTE and the candidate is only assess on its listening abilities while again in PTE both listening and writing abilities are assessed. Please refer to the table below:

3. Writing:

 IELTS writing is generally considered as harder than PTE.

In PTE writing module:

• You have to write a summary of a text in a one-line sentence.
• Summarize a spoken lecture into 70 words.
• Write an argumentative essay between 200 and 300 words in 20 minutes

In the IELTS writing module:

• You need to describe a graph or a chart or a map in 20 minutes.
• Need to write an essay of 250 words in 40 minutes.

4. Speaking:

 The major difference between IELTS and PTE in this section is of format. While in IELTS this is face to face in case of PTE candidate is required to record their response. In PTE, this test is combined with writing and hence it is longer than IELTS. Additionally, in PTE candidates may be required to combine their reading and listening skills for the speaking. Please refer to the table below for further clarification.

Advantages & Disadvantages of IELTS

Please refer to the pointers below:

Advantages

1. Accepted Worldwide

The best thing about IELTS is that this test has been up to the international standard for years, and universities across the world accept it. All major institutions worldwide accept IELTS as proof of English Language Proficiency.

2. Nature of Questions

The nature of the questions can vary largely in IELTS as it focuses on understanding and comprehension. There are a number of ways in which a question can be asked. Like, true or false questions, three-word, and descriptive answers.

3. Exam duration

All three modules in IELTS are done in one sitting, with the total duration of the exam being 2 hours and 30 minutes making it a time-saving English Language Test.

Disadvantages:

1. Speaking Interview

Though the duration of the interview is only 11-14 minutes but if you are someone who gets nervous in a personal interview it can be intimidating for you so it would be better if you practice this section thoroughly.

2. Two Part Exam

In IELTS reading, writing and listening portions are done in one day and speaking is done on other day. Candidates are informed in advance when it will take place.

Advantages & Disadvantages of PTE:

Please refer to the pointers below:

Advantages:

1. Computerized test

It is computer-based test and many non-native English speaking candidates found PTE more comfortable due to this as there is no personal examiner to test the speaking skills.

2. Duration

All the sections of PTE are conducted on the same day, which makes it quite convenient.

Disadvantages

1. Acceptability

PTE is comparatively new to IELTS and hence many major universities in the world don’t consider PTE.

No Privacy

One of the main disadvantages of the speaking section in PTE is that in a room with other students, you might face difficulty in speaking while others are also doing the same.

I hope, the above-mentioned points have helped you in clearing your doubts about IELTS and PTE. If you still have any other questions, please feel free to comment below.