IELTS, TOEFL or PTE?
Selecting the right English proficiency test for studying abroad may seem difficult. All three of them, IELTS, TOEFL and PTE, assess the necessary skills of students accepted into universities, but in different ways. The speaking test, question format, scoring, and even the test environment differ greatly from one another.
Therefore, it is impossible to say which test between IELTS, TOEFL and PTE wins. First of all, it depends on the acceptance of a particular test by a university, and then on the format of the test that is more comfortable for you.
For example, IELTS Academic includes an interview with an examiner in the Speaking part; TOEFL iBT requires answering speaking questions through the microphone, while PTE Academic is done on a computer, with automated scoring being crucial.
This information will make your choice easier, because choosing a test according to your abilities is extremely important for success in it.
IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE at a Glance
All three tests measure the necessary skills for further study in universities: reading, listening, speaking, and writing. But the process of their assessment is very different.
IELTS Academic consists of four separate parts and contains the Speaking section in which students take a live interview with an examiner. Listening, Reading, and Writing parts may be done in either paper or computer format.
TOEFL iBT test is developed for assessing academic English and consists of four parts, too. However, they are done in a computer-based test environment. The speaking part requires students to answer speaking questions through the microphone.
PTE Academic is also a computer-based test in which automated systems do the scoring. But some parts of the test require human scoring for certain situations.
So, it is essential to know the difference between those tests not only in the question format but also in the testing environment itself.
IELTS: Best for Students Who Prefer a Human Speaking Test
IELTS Academic can be an ideal test for students who do not mind conversing with the examiner. The examination consists of four parts: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. In the Speaking section, the duration is between 11 and 14 minutes and comprises three parts. Firstly, you answer questions related to familiar topics, followed by a long answer to the questions on the task card and a discussion.
One of the most distinctive aspects of IELTS is its face-to-face testing format. You do not speak into a computer but speak directly to the trained examiner based on criteria such as fluency and coherence, vocabulary, grammatical range and accuracy, and pronunciation.
For some students, being able to interact, explain ideas clearly, and continue a conversation may be easier compared to having a monologue into a microphone.
Furthermore, IELTS results are accepted globally by numerous organizations. According to the official website of IELTS, there are more than 12,500 organizations that depend on IELTS results, ranging from academic institutions, governments, employers, to professional bodies.
TOEFL: Best for Students Comfortable With Academic English
Another feature of TOEFL iBT is the high level of academia associated with this test. According to ETS, four sections contain academic content in Reading and Listening, while in Speaking and Writing, the tasks are based on academic communication.
In the latest TOEFL structure, there are four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. In the Speaking section, students give four answers into the microphone. Thus, TOEFL is completely different from IELTS, as it involves a Speaking section that uses a microphone.
TOEFL may be preferred by students who are comfortable taking the test independently and responding to academic prompts. They may not want to talk to the examiner in person but prefer having the test on a computer.
TOEFL may also be attractive to those students who are efficient in handling the input information quickly. Academic listening, reading, and integrated tasks require understanding the information and making use of it in your responses.
Universities use TOEFL results internationally, and ETS provides an institutional search tool for checking TOEFL score acceptance by certain universities.
PTE: Best for Students who Like Technology-Based Testing
The PTE Academic is suitable for students who like technology-based testing. There is no conventional face-to-face speaking test in this test, unlike the IELTS speaking interview.
One of the distinctive features of PTE is its scoring system. According to Pearson, responses in PTE Academic are scored by means of their automated scoring system, with some responses also being assessed by human raters.
The Speaking and Writing sections include various task types that evaluate skills such as content, pronunciation, oral fluency, vocabulary, and grammar, depending on the task. As Pearson states, some speaking tasks are assessed not only in terms of content but also pronunciation and oral fluency.
For those students who feel comfortable speaking into a microphone and completing computer-based tasks under time pressure, PTE may be a good choice. It may not be suitable for students who perform better in a natural conversation with a person.
Nevertheless, the main condition for using PTE is its acceptance. Before taking this test, you should check whether your particular university and program accept PTE Academic.
IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE: the Main Difference Is Speaking
Speaking is usually one of the easiest ways to choose among the three tests. In the IELTS test, you speak face-to-face with an examiner and are recorded. This conversation is supposed to show how efficiently you can communicate, explain yourself, and discuss the topics.
In the TOEFL test, you speak into a microphone and are recorded too, but the tasks are more related to academic communication than to a traditional conversation. In the PTE test, the speaking is completed using a computer again, while automated scoring plays an important role here.
Take into account your testing preferences. If the conversation with a person makes you communicate better, IELTS may suit you better. If speaking into a computer does not make you feel uncomfortable, then TOEFL or PTE may be more convenient.
IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE: Which Test is Easier?
No test can truly be considered easy. The difficulty of each exam depends greatly on its format and on your skills.
A person who feels comfortable with face-to-face conversations will be more relaxed in IELTS Speaking than in a computer-recorded version. The person who dislikes being interviewed will probably prefer TOEFL or PTE.
Even typing skills might play a role. The one who thinks they can type fast will probably find it easy to complete computer-based writing tasks, while the other one will prefer something they have practiced more.
Your academic background also plays a big role here. Students who feel comfortable after attending university-level lectures, reading academic texts, taking notes, and producing structured writing will find the TOEFL format especially easy. Students who are strong speakers in everyday conversations will enjoy the IELTS format. The one who performs well in quick, computer-based exercises will prefer PTE.
The best option here is to experience the format firsthand through practice tests provided officially, rather than believe any claims about the easiness of one test or another.
IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE: Which Test is Accepted by Universities?
The test is useless if it doesn’t meet the requirements of English language proficiency at your chosen university and chosen program. IELTS test is recognized by thousands of academic institutions all over the world. The official website of IELTS contains an extensive database of organizations accepting this test.
TOEFL also provides a searchable list of institutions accepting TOEFL. As for PTE, students should check the official admissions page of the chosen university or the page listing the acceptable tests.
One cannot assume the same acceptance policies at different universities, programs, and study levels. The university can accept several tests but require a certain minimum score or different requirements in separate sections.
IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE Score Comparison
Each test has a different system of grading and, therefore, different numerical grades cannot just be compared numerically. IELTS gives results in the form of band scores, which include whole band and half band scores. IELTS Academic Test Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking components add up to give the final result.
TOEFL and PTE use different scales and methods of grading, and this is why one should not think that a particular numerical grade on IELTS equals the same grade on TOEFL or PTE.
The most useful number is the score required by your institution. Check if there are certain minimum overall scores, section scores, or both specified by your program. Your preparation should focus on meeting this requirement rather than some general conversion online.
The Final Decision: Match the Test to Your Study Goal
There is a rather practical way of choosing between the three tests that consists of four simple steps. To begin with, verify the accepted tests. Next, find out the required overall and sectional scores. After that, assess the format differences between the three exams. Finally, choose the test you feel comfortable with both communicatively and performance-wise.
For instance, there is no problem when two students who apply to the same university decide to take different tests. One of them can be good at taking IELTS since they find it easier to speak to the interviewer. Another one can take PTE because they like working on all the tasks on a computer.
This means that popularity cannot be the only criterion for choosing the test.
Conclusion: Choose the English Test Which Suits You Best
Thus, it would be impossible to define one universal winner in the IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE comparison. IELTS is the test whose main feature is the oral Interview with the assessor. High acceptance is the distinguishing feature of this test. The main focus of TOEFL is academic English and computer use. PTE is totally computerized and has automated assessment.
The best option is the one that fulfills all the criteria for acceptance and suits you personally. Thus, before taking the test, verify the official admission requirements for your program. In addition, try to estimate your performance on the test. This will give you a good basis for making your decision.
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