A Comparative Analysis between IELTS & PTE Academic: The Road to Your Future!

A comparative Analysis

IELTS & PTE Academic

The importance of English Proficiency Tests English is a globally recognized language of communication and the most commonly studied language in the world. Owing to globalization and the increasing desire to study and work abroad in English-speaking countries, the English learning market is growing at a rapid pace.

A key requirement to work or study abroad is a certain level/score of English proficiency. Two of the best and most internationally recognized English language proficiency tests are IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English).

MAIN FEATURES OF IELTS

IELTS is an English language exam that is required to be taken by international candidates who are considering studying or working in a country where English is the main language of communication. IELTS is accepted by over 10,000 organizations in more than 140 countries. These include universities, schools, colleges and training organizations, government departments, and immigration authorities. Click here for our detailed explanation of The IELTS test structure. Aurora World Education provides a premium and extensive preparation course for IELTS General Training and IELTS Academic exams.

The IELTS exam can now be taken as a paper-based or as a computer-based exam. However, the speaking section is always taken face-to-face with an IELTS examiner.

MAIN FEATURES OF PTE

The PTE Academic exam is a computer-based English language test. The PTE Academic score is used by students and migrants to prove their proficiency in English for academic admissions into international universities or colleges and employment or visa purposes, particularly in Australia, New Zealand, and the UK.

The PTE test is fully computer-based, including the speaking section (unlike IELTS). This is a great benefit for students who find it difficult to have a face-to-face conversation with an examiner. All answers are marked by specialized computerized software computer; there is no human checking your answers.

Click here for our detailed explanation of the PTE Test Structure.

PTE Test slots are easily available throughout the year. You can book at any time, even up to 24 hours before the test, and test results can be made available within only 5 business days.

A SUMMARY OF THE MAIN DIFFERENCES BETWEEN IELTS ACADEMIC & PTE

Reading:

The reading sections of IELTS are longer compared to PTE. In PTE, the candidates writing skills are also tested in some parts of the reading section whereas, in IELTS, the questions are strictly multiple choice.

Listening:

The listening section of IELTS is much shorter than the listening section of PTE.

Speaking

In PTE, you must talk into a microphone and type on a keyboard. While in IELTS, the speaking test is conducted in a face-to-face session with an IELTS examiner, and the speaking part of the test is taken on a different day to the reading, writing, and listening parts of the test.

Generally, PTE speaking tasks focus on your oral fluency and pronunciation as the Speaking test is done by recording your voice. Therefore, if you are a non-native English speaker with a very strong English accent, then IELTS might be a better choice.

Writing:

The writing section of IELTS judges the candidate solely on their writing skills while in PTE, the writing section is either combined with listening or reading skills.

Essay writing skills can be challenging for candidates and this should be considered in their choice of whether to take PTE or IELTS.

In the PTE Academic test, you must:

• Write an argumentative essay of between 200 and 300 words in 20 minutes.
• Summarize a block of text into a single sentence in 10 minutes. (Task: Summarize Written Text)
• Summarize a spoken lecture into 70 words in 10 minutes. (Task: Summarize Spoken Text)

In IELTS Academic, you must:

• Write a report summarizing a graph or process diagram in at least 150 words in 20 minutes (IELTS Writing Task 1)
• Write a 250-word essay presented in various formats in 40 minutes (IELTS Writing Task 2)

IELTS ACADEMIC VS PTE ACADEMIC SCORE COMPARISON

Note that these comparisons do not include IELTS General tests. However, as IELTS Academic and General have very similar scoring criteria, it can be used as a general comparison for both.

The Pearson Group released this PTE score update and has stated how this PTE score update is only to cater to the updated score requirements of universities, schools, colleges, and educational institutes.

We’re here to help!

Both the IELTS and PTE are run by credible institutions and are both internationally recognized. If you’re still unsure about whether to opt for IELTS or PTE, we have expert consultants to guide you and help you choose the right test and test preparation course for you.

Contact us if you have questions about this topic. Aurora World Education boasts extensive research materials and experience in helping students reach their target scores for IELTS & PTE. If you’re planning on taking IELTS or PTE, Contact us for more information and a FREE consultation with a native English expert.