The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a widely recognised English language proficiency test for non-native speakers who want to study or work in an English-speaking country. It is available in two types: Academic and General Training. The test assesses Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills, and results are reported on a 0-9 band scale. The IELTS is accepted by over 12,000 organisations worldwide.

Pearson Test of English (PTE) is the language proficiency test for non-native English speakers who want to study or work in an English-speaking environment. It is also accepted by many universities and institutions in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a language proficiency test for international students who want to study in the United States and Canada.

IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are all English language proficiency tests that are used to assess the language skills of non-native English speakers. All three tests evaluate your Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking skills, but the format and question types of each test may vary.

Format of the exam: IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE

Let’s know more about the format of these exams.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS has two types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. The IELTS Academic type is for test takers who want to study at an academic level in an English-speaking. The IELTS General Training type is for test takers who want to migrate to an English-speaking country (USA, UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.) and for those who want to train or study at a below-degree level.

The IELTS test format consists of four sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is scored on a scale of 0-9, and an overall band score is given. The test is graded holistically, considering grammar, vocabulary, fluency, and coherence.

IELTS is widely accepted by over 12,000 universities, employers, and government agencies in many English-speaking countries, including the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada.

IELTS: IELTS on Computer vs. IELTS on Paper

IELTS on Computer is the same as IELTS on Paper. The only difference is that instead of writing your answers on a sheet of paper, you submit them on a desktop computer. It comes with more test dates (up to 7 days a week) and you can choose the time slot of your choice (up to three times a day). In fact, IELTS on Computer gives you faster results within 2 days from your test date.

Format

Just like the IELTS on Paper test, IELTS on Computer also has Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking sections where you need to attempt the three sections on a computer (as opposed to a paper), and the Speaking test face-to-face with a certified IELTS examiner in person.

The difficulty level, structure, and scoring remain the same for both IELTS on Computer and IELTS on Paper.

Test duration

The total test duration for IELTS on Computer is 2 hours and 45 minutes. However, in the IELTS on Computer Listening test, the timings are slightly different from the IELTS on Paper test:

• You’ll get some time to read your questions before you start any part of the Listening test

• You’ll have two minutes to review your answers once you finish the Listening test

• The duration of the Listening test is approx. 30 – 36 minutes

Pearson test of English (PTE)

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is designed to evaluate the ability of test takers to use English in real-life academic and professional settings. The PTE test format assesses the Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing skills of test-takers in a single 3-hour long computer-based test. The test is divided into several sections, including:

• Speaking and Writing: Test takers are required to speak into a microphone and respond to prompts on a computer screen

• Reading: Test takers are required to read passages of text on a computer screen and answer questions

• Listening: Test takers are required to listen to recordings of native English speakers and answer questions

PTE test scores are reported on a scale of 10-90, with 10 being the lowest and 90 being the highest. Test takers receive a score for each of the four sections (listening, reading, writing, speaking) as well as an overall score.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardised test that measures the English language proficiency of non-native speakers. The test is divided into four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.

The Reading section: It measures the ability to understand academic texts written in English. It consists of 3-5 passages and there are a total of 36-70 questions.

The Listening section: It measures the ability to understand spoken English in academic settings. It consists of 4-6 lectures and 2-3 conversations, and there are a total of 34-51 questions.

The Speaking section: It measures the ability to speak English in academic settings. It consists of 6 tasks, including 2 independent tasks and 4 integrated tasks.

The Writing section: It measures the ability to write in English in academic settings. It consists of 2 tasks one integrated task and one independent task.

The test is delivered via computer and the total test time is about 4 hours. The test taker will receive scores for each section and overall score.

Speaking test – Real person vs. computer

The IELTS Speaking test is taken by a human examiner in a quiet room as a human can give a more subjective judgment compared to a machine that is fed with data.

AI Speaking tests give judgment based on that data that has been pre-uploaded in the system while a human examiner is trained to consider the social context for proper judgment. While a computer might find it difficult to understand local lingo, jokes, or slang also, as English from an Indian or Sri Lankan or any other non-native English speaker, a human examiner considers all these aspects when evaluating a candidate.

The human examiner understands the different accents and the meaning of different pauses like confusion, thoughts, breaks, etc. They can help you when you get stuck while speaking. They give better judgment than computers. The speaking test with a human examiner takes 11-14 minutes.

PTE and TOEFL test dates are offered multiple times a month.

Hope, this blog will help you in understanding the difference between IELT, TOEFL, and PTE so that you can choose the one which is the best according to you.

To know more about IELTS and to book your test date, you can get in touch with our international education experts at IDP or walk into your nearest IELTS centre.