PTE vs IELTS: Which English Proficiency Test is Right for You?

If you’re planning to study, work, or immigrate to an English-speaking country, you’ll likely need to prove your English proficiency. To do so, you can choose from several English proficiency tests, with the two most popular being PTE (Pearson Test of English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) which is choosing between PTE vs IELTS.

While both tests evaluate your ability to use the English language in various contexts, there are some differences between them. PTE is a computer-based test, whereas IELTS is a paper-based or computer-based test. The content and format of the tests also differ, with PTE focusing on more advanced language skills, including pronunciation, and IELTS having a more comprehensive evaluation of your language abilities.

Moreover, the scoring systems for the tests vary. PTE uses a point system, while IELTS uses a band system. Furthermore, the scores for PTE are usually available within five business days, while IELTS results may take up to two weeks to receive.

The choice between PTE and IELTS can also depend on your specific needs and preferences. For instance, if you’re comfortable with technology and prefer a faster result turnaround time, PTE may be a better fit for you. However, if you’re seeking a more comprehensive assessment of your English skills or need to meet specific immigration or university requirements, IELTS may be the better option.

But the question is, which one is the right fit for you? In this article, we’ll dive into the differences between PTE and IELTS and help you determine which test aligns with your needs and preferences. So, let’s get started and find out which English proficiency test is the right one for you!

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Understand Why is English Proficiency Test Required?

Many English-speaking countries, while admitting students and people for work from countries where English is not their native language, conduct English proficiency tests. The motive of such a test is to know your English language level in different categories like speaking, listening, writing, and reading. 

This benefits the people applying and the people of the respective country in the future by helping them communicate with each other and work better.

Although there are universities that do not necessarily require any English language tests for admissions, it is also true that candidates with IELTS or PTE scores are preferred. Hence, we recommend that you keep your English language test scores ready.

Comparing Language Proficiency Tests: A Look at PTE and IELTS

If you are applying to study abroad, you must have heard about the IELTS and PTE tests. If you are new to such tests, then no worries. So let us guide you through each part of both exams.

Let’s start by taking an overview of both the exams, PTE and IELTS.

1. PTE

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is mainly applicable to students who wish to study abroad. There are over 3000 universities, schools, and professional bodies all over the globe. 

Although there are a few countries that accept PTE scores for visa and immigration applications, mainly the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. 

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2. IELTS

On the other hand, IELTS is widely accepted for students, people who wish to work abroad and migrants. IELTS or International English Language Test System are accepted by popular dream destinations of many people such as the USA, UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. 

It is accepted by over 11,000 universities, schools, organisations, immigration bodies, etc. More than 3 million people take this exam every year. 

Breaking Down the Exam Pattern – PTE vs IELTS

Before starting to prepare for either of these two exams, it is essential to know the exam pattern first. 

1. Exam Pattern for PTE

There are three parts to this exam. Part 1 is for speaking and writing; part 2 contains the reading section; and lastly, part 3 is the listening section. All three parts are explained in a detailed manner below:

Part 1 – Speaking and Writing

This part of the exam tests the candidates’ speaking and writing skills used in an academic environment. It is the longest part of the exam, and you will be given a total of 54-67 minutes for this part. It contains 7 different question types, which are as follows:

• Read Aloud: In this question type, candidates need to read out a text of 60 words. There will be 6-7 such questions.
• Repeat sentence: Candidates need to repeat 10-12 sentences
• Describe image: There will be 3-4 images which candidates have to study and explain.
• Retell lecture: 1-2 such questions
• Answer short questions: 5-6 questions to answer in 10 seconds
• Summarise written text: Summarise the written text of 300 words in 10 minutes
• Write an essay: Write an essay in 20 minutes

Also, at the beginning of this part, there will be one section of ‘personal introduction’, in which candidates have to introduce themselves to the examiner. Note that this section is not considered in calculating the marks.

Part 2 – Reading

This part is to check the candidates’ ability to understand the written instructions and specifications. There are a total of 5 sections, which contain different question types. The time allocated for this part is 29-30 minutes. The 5 sections are as follows:

• Fill in the blanks – reading and writing: Candidates have to read a text of 300 words and fill in the missing words from the given box. There will be 5-6 questions of this type.
• Fill in the blanks – reading: There will be a text of 80 words, and you need to fill in the given blanks. 4-5 questions of this type will be there.
• Re-order paragraph: Answer 2-3 questions of 150 words of text each.
• Multiple choice – single answer: Answer 1-2 questions based on 300 words of text each by selecting only one response.
• Multiple choice – multiple answers: Answer 1-2 questions based on 300 words of text each by selecting more than one response.

Part 3 – Listening

This last part of PTE judges the candidates based on their listening abilities, i.e., their ability to understand and retain the spoken English language correctly. There are 8 different sections in this part to be answered after listening to the respective recordings in 30 to 43 minutes of duration.

• Fill in the blanks: Fill in the missing gaps in the shown transcript.
• Summarise spoken text: You need to write a summary of 50-60 words.
• Multiple choice – multiple answers questions: Answer the multiple choice questions by selecting more than one response.
• Multiple choice – single answer question: Answer the multiple choice questions by selecting one response.
• Highlight the correct summary: Choose the paragraph that best describes the audio.
• Write from dictation: You need to type the words exactly as in the audio.
• Highlight incorrect words: Identify the incorrect words from the transcript.
• Select missing words: Pick the missing word from the provided list.

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2. Exam Pattern for IELTS

There are 4 sections in the IELTS exam – Listening, reading, writing, and speaking. 

Part 1- Listening

The listening test tests the candidates’ abilities to understand and comprehend spoken English by native speakers. This section contains 4 conversations, or monologues, followed by 4 parts with 10 questions each. The questions are of different types, like multiple choice, labelling, matching, sentence completion, etc. You have thirty minutes to finish this section.

Part 2- Reading

The reading section contains 40 questions, including multiple-choice questions, sentence completion, matching features, matching headings, summary completion, identifying information, etc. This section must be finished within 60 minutes for the candidates. 

Part 3- Writing

In the writing section, candidates have to complete two different tasks in a total of 60 minutes. One task is to write an essay based on the given point of view, problem, or argument. 

In the second task, candidates have to describe and summarise a visual presentation, which might be a graph, chart, table, or diagram, in their own words. The second task might be letter writing based on the presented situation if the exam is not for academic purposes.

Part 4- Speaking

The speaking section is like an interview between the candidate and the assessee. This section has three parts and needs to be finished in 11–14 minutes. 

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PTE vs IELTS – A Briefed Comparison 

When it comes to selecting the right exam between PTE and IELTS, candidates should not take one particular aspect into consideration. Rather, they should take a holistic overview and then give different priority levels to different aspects of the exam. 

1. The reason for giving the exam

The very first thing that matters while choosing which English proficiency test between PTE and IELTS is right for you is the reason for it. Why do you want to give an English proficiency test? Do you want to study abroad, work in an English-speaking country, or migrate there?

IELTS is widely accepted by the majority of universities in the USA and Canada, so if you want to study there, IELTS may be the best option for you. But if you are looking to migrate to the UK, then PTE might be the test for you.

2. Popularity and acceptance of the exam

It is true that both exams are well known and accepted by many universities, but if we talk about which exam can give you more options and opportunities, then IELTS could be the answer. Why so? Because the number of universities, schools, and countries accepting IELTS is actually higher than that of PTE. 

IELTS is more popular than PTE because, along with students, it is also more helpful for people who want to move abroad for work or settlement purposes. 

3. Mode of exam and accessibility

If you are comfortable with computed-based exams, then you can choose any of them. But if you wish to give only a paper-pen-based exam, then IELTS would be right for you as it is conducted in both computer-based and pen-paper-based while PTE is only a computer-based exam. 

IELTS is a pen-and-paper exam for one section that includes reading, listening, and writing, while for the speaking section, you will have to appear for a face-to-face exam with an invigilator.

IELTS is more accessible than PTE, as it is conducted at more than 800 test centres in more than 130 countries, while PTE is conducted at around 350 test centres in 117 countries. IELTS (computer-based) is available 3 times a day, 7 days a week, and 4 pre-fixed days a month for paper-pen mode, while PTE is conducted 6-8 times a month.

4. The complexity of the exam

As the sections of both the PTE and IELTS are the same—listening, writing, reading, and speaking—the complexity of the exams is also considered more or less similar. Different candidates may find one exam easier or tougher than another based on their respective preparation and intelligence.

In IELTS, the speaking section is a face-to-face or video call interview, while there is no such interview in PTE. The speaking section in PTE is held in a similar manner to other sections.

When it comes to exam duration, PTE is a 2-hour exam, while IELTS is approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

5. The scoring system of the exam

The PTE scores its candidates on a scale of 0-90, where marks above 65 are considered good, and marks above 85 are considered excellent.

When it comes to IELTS, it scores its candidates on a decimal scale of 1.0 to 9.0, where 6.5 is considered average, 7.5 is good, and 9 is considered an expert. There is no minimum mark to pass the exam, as different universities have their own scoring criteria.

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6. Affordability of exams 

Before preparing for exams like PTE or IELTS, one should always pay attention to the fees of the exams. The exam fee you are required to pay is 15,900 INR (INR 13,038 fixed plus an additional tax of 18% of INR 2,862) for Indian students. 

For IELTS, the exam fee is based on the test type. If you want to appear for both computer-based and pen-paper-based IELTS exams, you are required to pay INR 16,250. For UK visas and immigration, the IELTS fee is INR 16,500. So, select the exam based on your payment capacity and the number of times you are planning to appear in the exam in case of low marks.

6. Result validity

Most of the exams have result validity for one year, which means if you wish to use your score from the particular exam again the following year, you will have to appear again. But that is not the case for PTE and IELTS exam results. They have long validity which gives you a chance to apply more than once without giving them again.

The exam scores for PTE are valid for two years. Once the score expires, your PTE account will automatically remove your previous scores. In the case of IELTS, the IELTS Test  Report Form also holds two years of validity from the date of the exam.

Here’s a Quick Glimpse For You to Understand:

S No	Aspect	PTE	IELTS
1	Reason for giving the exam	Suitable for those who want to migrate to the UK	Widely accepted by universities in the USA and Canada
2	Popularity and acceptance of the exam	Not as popular as IELTS, accepted in fewer countries	More popular and accepted by universities, schools, and countries
3	Mode of exam and accessibility	Only computer-based, conducted in fewer test centres compared to IELTS	Available in both computer-based and pen-paper-based, conducted in more test centres
4	Complexity of the exam	Similar complexity in all sections, no face-to-face interview for speaking	Similar complexity in all sections, face-to-face interview for speaking
5	Scoring system of the exam	Scores on a scale of 0-90, with marks above 65 considered good and above 85 considered excellent	Scores on a decimal scale of 1.0-9.0, with 6.5 considered average, 7.5 considered good, and 9 considered expert
6	Affordability of exams	Exam fee of 15,900 INR for Indian students	Exam fee varies based on test type, with UK visa and immigration fee at 16,500 INR
7	Result validity	Scores valid for two years	Test Report Form valid for two years

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Universities Accepting PTE and IELTS Scores 

There are more than 3000 universities that accept PTE scores. Some of them include Columbia University, Yale University, Oxford University, Harvard Business School, Macquarie University, and many more.

On the other hand, IELTS is accepted by renowned universities such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Harvard University, University of Cambridge, Stanford, Duke University, etc. The number is over 3400 universities in the USA alone.

Final Thoughts

By now, you should be able to choose the right option between PTE and IELTS. We have discussed all the necessary information that you might require to proceed with your applications. 

Make sure that you base your decision on all these different aspects. Ponder upon your priorities, and then take the final decision. At last, whichever test you decide to take, we hope that you prepare very well for it and score the required marks. Wish you all the best!

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