IELTS vs PTE: A Comparative Guide For International Students

When it comes to studying abroad, one of the crucial steps in the application process is demonstrating proficiency in the English language. Universities worldwide often require applicants to submit test scores as proof of their English language skills. Among the various English language tests available, two prominent options that consistently rise to the top are the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Pearson Test of English (PTE).

 

IELTS and PTE have emerged as the go-to choices for many students aspiring to pursue their education abroad. These tests evaluate the four essential language skills: listening, reading, writing, and speaking. With similarities in their exam structure and purpose, it's essential to understand the nuances that set them apart.

Both the IELTS and PTE evaluations are well organised to assess the overall English competency of a test taker. While IELTS has options for computer-based and pen-and-paper tests, PTE offers only computer-based tests. An overview of both tests will let you know the significant differences, which can be obtained from the following table:

 

 

Must read: A comparison between IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE vs Duolingo

As mentioned earlier, IELTS and PTE are almost similar in test format and syllabus. Both assess the test-takers reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. IELTS has UK and US variants of English as its test medium, while PTE offers UK, US, and Australian variants of English. 

See the tables below that give details on the test patterns of both the English language tests, and decide which test has an easier syllabus as per your abilities

IELTS Exam Format:

Section	Tasks - IELTS Academic	Tasks - IELTS General Training
Writing (60 minutes)	Summarize or explain the given data, Write an essay	Write a letter, Write an essay
Reading (60 minutes)	Reading 3 long texts	Reading some everyday literature from newspapers, brochures, etc.
Listening (30 minutes)	A conversation between 4 people in an academic setting and a monologue on an academic subject	A conversation between two people in an everyday context or a monologue set in a familiar setting
Speaking (11 - 14 minutes)	General questions about the person and familiar topics, Speak about the topic written on the given card, More questions about abstract ideas and topics

PTE Exam Format:

Must read: Which exam to take to study in US?

IELTS measures the scores as bands of 0 - 9 with 0.5 increments of bands. It applies to each section; the collective average is taken as the IELTS band score. Universities abroad usually demand a minimum of 6 - 6.5 in IELTS. *Standard Error Measurement (SEM) is 0.23 of an IELTS band.

 

PTE uses a Global Scale of English (GSE) of 10 - 90 marks. Each section has the same scale, and the collective average becomes the PTE score. A candidate must have a minimum of 55 - 60 out of 90 in the PTE to get admission to better universities abroad. The standard Error Measurement (SEM) is 2.3.

 

Equivalents of IELTS band scores and PTE GSE scores would look like:

*(PTE-A stands for PTE Academic. Since there is no variant of PTE like IELTS General Training tests, both PTE and PTE-A signify PTE Academic)

 

Scores obtained in both tests are valid for two years. See the table below for the scoring criteria for each test:
 

Scoring Criteria	IELTS Academic	PTE
	Task achievement/task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource, grammatical range and accuracy, fluency and coherence, grammatical range and accuracy, pronunciation	Content, oral fluency, pronunciation, development, structure and coherence, grammar, general linguistic range, vocabulary

*Standard Error Measurement (SME) is the variation in a test-taker's score if taking it more than once.

 

Know how to convert IELTS scores to other exams 
 

IELTS and PTE differ in their application fees and acceptance rates as given below:

 

• 
  IELTS vs PTE fees: There is no significant difference in the application fee for the IELTS and PTE. While the IELTS fee is 16,250 INR (198 USD), the fee for PTE is 15,900 INR (194 USD).

• 
  IELTS vs PTE acceptance rate: Thanks to its early establishment in 1989, the IELTS has a greater acceptance rate than PTE. More than 11,000 institutions across 140 countries accept IELTS scores. PTE has enjoyed growing popularity since its start in 2009. Currently, 3,000+ institutions across the globe accept PTE as proof of language proficiency.

PTE and IELTS scores are based on different scales and we will explain each in detail. 

PTE Scoring:

PTE scores are based on your communicative skills and overall performance. PTE scores are based on points, ranging from 10 to 90 with 10-point intervals. You will receive a detailed scorecard of points scored in each category.

IELTS Scoring:

IELTS scores are based on also based on your overall competence with the English language. It tests task response, coherence and cohesion, lexical resource grammatical range, and accuracy. Scoring is based on a band system, which ranges from 0 to 9, with a gap of 0.5 per section. Your overall band score is calculated as the average of the four sections. The acceptable range is from 6.0 to 6.5 for most universities.

 

An important difference between IELTS and PTE tests is that PTE is completely computer-marked, that computer will check and score you according to your answers, whereas in IELTS, the Reading and Listening sections are computer-marked, but the Writing and Speaking sections are marked by certified IELTS Examiners. 

Let us understand what are the similarities between these two tests.

Language Proficiency Assessment:

The primary purpose of both exams is to check your proficiency in English, in all forms, that is writing, reading, speaking, and listening.

Components of Assessment:

IELTS and PTE tests are based on four essential components - Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening - to check your language skills in all aspects.

Language Varieties:

IELTS was earlier a pen-and-paper exam but is now available as a computer-based test, and PTE, a computer-based test from the beginning, provides candidates with the flexibility to respond in either the major UK or US English dialects. British and American variations of the language are also accepted.

Scoring System:

Both IELTS and PTE use a detailed scoring system to assess your performance in all four sections, providing a complete evaluation of your language abilities.

Global Recognition:

IELTS and PTE are both popular and accepted by most universities, employers, and immigration authorities around the world which makes them essential for academic and professional purposes.

Let us understand the key differences between these two tests based on various factors.

Test Versions and Acceptance Worldwide:

• 
  IELTS offers two versions: IELTS Academic and IELTS General. Academic is suitable for student visas, while General is generally preferred for permanent residency, immigration, and other visa categories.

• 
  PTE Academic is accepted in various visa categories, including student and permanent residency, in countries like Australia and New Zealand.

• 
  Acceptance Rate: IELTS is accepted by more than 11,500 universities, however, PTE Academic is accepted by more than 3000 universities only.

Test Registration Process:

• 
  IELTS is conducted by IDP India, with test centers run and managed by these organizations.
• 
  PTE is conducted by Pearson, and test centers are managed by Pearson and franchise partners.
• 
  IELTS can be registered online and offline through IDP and the British Council, while PTE registration is done through the Pearson website.

Scores Availability:

• 
  For the pen-and-paper version, IELTS takes 13 days and for the computer version, it takes around 3 to 5 days.
• 
  PTE does not have a pen-and-paper version, it conducts tests in a computer-based version only and test results are available within 2 days.

Format of the Score

• 
  IELTS separately provides scores on a scale between 0 and 9, with the overall score is the average of individual scores in listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
• 
  PTE scores range from 10 to 90, with separate scores for Pronunciation, Oral Fluency, Grammar, Written Discourse, and Vocabulary, in addition to the overall score.

Please refer to the table below for the conversion of scores from IELTS to PTE:

• 
  As per the popular opinion, PTE Academic is considered easier than the IELTS.
• 
  IELTS is considered challenging as it requires a deeper understanding of grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation.
• 
  PTE Academic evaluates on practical aspects of communicative English thus making it more adaptable to test takers.