IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE – Advantages and Disadvantages, Pros

IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are all designed to test your English proficiency when you’re applying to universities abroad. Since most colleges accept any of these scores, it’s easy to get confused about which test to give. Use the 5 factors in this blog to compare IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE and find out which will be easier for you!

When choosing which English proficiency test to give, it’s natural to debate between IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE. While some universities prefer one exam over another, you will find one test easier to attempt as compared to the other two. They have different patterns, scoring structures, methods of testing, and various advantages and disadvantages. So let’s cover all these points as we look at the age-old battle between IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE and find out which one comes out victorious!

Overview: IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE

IELTS

The IELTS exam is arguably one of the most accepted English proficiency tests worldwide.

The test is recognized and accepted by more than 10,000 institutions and immigration bodies all over the world.

According to IELTS.org, more than 3 million IELTS tests were taken in the year 2018 alone. Experts think that the holistic nature of this test is the reason why it is more widely accepted than TOEFL and PTE.

The test is conducted over 2 days and consists of 4 sections, namely reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

TOEFL

TOEFL is another widely accepted English proficiency test.

It is particularly standard among US universities and colleges to test overseas students’ language abilities.

Like IELTS, TOEFL also consists of four major sections, and all of them are now conducted online except for some countries.

PTE

Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a single consolidated test that includes both writing and speaking sections. The test is conducted entirely online.

The number of institutes that accept and recognize PTE scores is gradually increasing.

Similarly, some governments (Australia, New Zealand) have also started accepting PTE results for their visa processes.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE pattern

The IELTS exam has 4 sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

The total time given to complete the test is 2 hours 45 minutes. The Academic IELTS exam pattern is as follows:

Exam pattern for IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE

Similarly, TOEFL also has 4 sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.

The total time given to complete the test is 3 hours. The Academic TOEFL exam pattern is as follows:

As for PTE, it is a three-hour-long test.

The main parts of the exam include speaking and writing (together), listening, and reading.

During the test, you will encounter 20 different question formats, ranging from multiple-choice questions (MCQs) and essay writing to interpreting and repeating information.

Part 1: Speaking & Writing, 77 to 93 minutes

Part 2: Reading, 32 to 40 minutes

Part 3: Listening, 45 to 57 minutes

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Scoring

The most major differences between IELTS and PTE are between their scores.

Understanding TOEFL scores is fairly easy since its four sections are divided into equal parts, with each part’s score being 30.

On the other hand, PTE and IELTS give consolidated scores for the entire test, including all sections.

In IELTS, the scores are further calibrated from 1-9 bands, and a score of 7 and above is considered as good.

On the other hand, PTE gives scores from 0 to 90, and getting at least 65 is deemed good.

Even though there is no standard equivalence between the two, but if we draw PTE vs. IELTS score comparisons, then it is safe to assume that getting 7 bands in IELTS is equal to scoring 65 in PTE. Similarly, 9 IELTS bands are considered the equivalent of scoring 86 and above in PTE.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Reading

IELTS

The reading paper has 3 passages with a total of 40 questions divided into a number of tasks. The candidate is expected to complete the paper in 60 minutes. The questions in different tasks range from multiple-choice, matching information, diagram labeling, and identifying information (question type: true or false). The distribution of the number of questions in the tasks is not fixed.

TOEFL

The reading section of the test consists of 3-4 multiple-focus passages (compare/contrast, cause-effect). Each passage consists of 10 questions. The time allotted to this section can vary between 54-72 minutes, depending on the number of passages given in the test. The scores for this portion of the test can range between 0 and 30. You can take a look at the TOEFL practice test for reading right here.

PTE

This section in PTE will last for 32 to 40 minutes. You will have to read through passages and fill in the blanks, re-order paras, and attempt single-answer MCQs during the test.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Listening

IELTS

The listening paper has a total of 40 questions divided into 4 different tasks which are to be finished in 30 minutes. The candidate listens to 4 different recordings, played only once. The recordings will be in a variety of voices with native-speaker accents. They can be a one on one conversation or a monologue on any topic. The questions range from multiple-choice, matching, map or diagram labeling, form completion, note completion, summary completion, and short answers.

TOEFL

This section contains 3 to 4 lectures, and some lectures contain classroom discussions. Each lecture is around 3-5 minutes long, and at the end of each, you will be asked 6 questions. Also included in this portion are normal, daily-life conversations. You’ll get to listen to 2-3 conversations, each being 3 minutes long. You’ll be asked 5 questions at the end of each conversation. The accents used in the listening portion are those of native speakers from all over North America.

PTE

The listening section of PTE can go on for anywhere between 45 and 57 minutes. Here, you will be summarizing written text, filling in blanks, selecting missing words, highlighting incorrect phrases, and writing from diction. Its pattern is quite different from the other two tests.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Speaking

IELTS

Speaking test is an interview with the examiner which lasts up to 11-14 minutes. The test consists of 3 tasks. Task one is typically an introduction or an interview wherein the examiner asks the candidate for a personal introduction. The interview can go on for about 4-5 minutes. In the second task, a task card is given to the candidate containing a topic to speak on. 1 minute is given to jot down the notes and 1-2 minutes are given to talk on the given topic. At the end of the 2 minutes, the examiner can ask a couple of questions based on your topic. Task three is related to the previous task. The topic from task two is discussed in-depth and in an abstract way. This task can end up for 4-5 minutes. In some cases, the speaking test is conducted on a different day.

TOEFL

This portion of the test consists of 4 tasks. You’ll be assigned 1 independent task to express your opinion on a topic you’re familiar with. You’ll have 30 seconds to prepare your response. Apart from that, you will have 3 integrated speaking tasks based on reading and listening. You’ll have 1 minute to prepare your response. The total time allotted to this section is 17 minutes. You’ll be scored out of 0-4 points, and then your points will be converted to a scale between 0 to 30. An example of the speaking section can be found here. This example is 11 seconds long and you have 45 seconds to respond.

PTE

Since PTE’s Speaking and Writing sections are combined, let’s cover this under the next topic.

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE Writing

IELTS

The writing test consists of two sections with a total test time of 60 minutes. Section one consists of various types of visual information(e.g: graphs or pi diagrams). The candidates are expected to elaborate the visual information in precisely 150 words. Section two consists of a topic to write on where candidates elaborate on an argument or a topic in not less or more than 250 words.

TOEFL

You’ll have two tasks in this section of the test–

Section 1- An integrated task based on what is read and heard. You’ll have 20 minutes to complete this.
Section 2- An independent task to support an opinion on a topic. You’ll have 30 minutes to complete this.

The total time allotted to this section is 50 minutes and you’ll be scored on a point range of 0 to 5, which will then be converted to a score scale of 0 to 30.

PTE

The speaking and writing sections of PTE can last anywhere between 77 to 93 minutes. The exam will start off by asking you to give a personal introduction. Then, you will have to read aloud, repeat sentences, retell lectures, answer short questions, and take 20 minutes to write an essay of 200-300 words.

Major differences between IETLS, TOEFL, and PTE

The major difference in IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE is how the speaking component of the test is evaluated.

If you have read so far, you must’ve already noticed a few subtle yet important differences between the two exams. Let’s point them out-

While TOEFL is ONLY computer-based, IELTS is both paper and computer-based. So if you’re more comfortable taking an exam on paper, you can choose IELTS. PTE, on the other hand, is a fully computerized test.
The speaking section for these three exams is so different. In IELTS, you have to appear for a personal interview. This isn’t the case in TOEFL and PTE, where you can speak to the computer during your online test itself.
TOEFL & PTE are taken in standard American English. So if you’ve grown up watching English movies and binge-watch sitcoms even today, TOEFL or PTE might be for you.
The essay you are expected to write in the TOEFL writing section is lengthier. It demands a fast typing speed. On the other hand, if you type slow but have legible handwriting, you can go for TOEFL. But when it comes to PTE, writing an essay is as easy as it can get.
In IELTS, you have to give short answers, which is not the case in TOEFL. TOEFL requires you to attempt MCQ-type questions. But PTE has a combination of both.
The reading passages in TOEFL are used to inform rather than entertain. This means that if you like reading non-fiction, news, etc., you will find this exam easier to attempt.

Advantages and disadvantages of IETLS vs TOEFL vs PTE

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE : Advantages and Disadvantages

Now that we have looked at the key differences between the three tests, it is time to see the pros and cons of each test. As we discussed earlier, each test has its own advantages and disadvantages, and you should decide on which one to choose between IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE based on your comfort level and end objectives. That stated, here are the advantages and disadvantages of the three tests:

Advantages of IELTS

IELTS is preferred by those who have been learning Queen’s English, or English as used in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. Hence, Indian students may prefer the test over the other two.
IELTS is also much more widely accepted in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, and is often preferred when one of these countries is the destination of choice.
IELTS also has a separate exam for General candidates and hence, is preferred over the TOEFL for those who need it for immigration or work purposes.
Many people prefer the formal interview setting of the Speaking test in IELTS since it prepares them better for real-world situations.
IELTS computer-delivered tests are offered most frequently, conducted almost once every day at major centres in India, and hence, is preferable for those with less time on hand.
For those who prefer writing on paper, IELTS is the only option in India.

Disadvantages of IELTS

Many students find the prospect of face-to-face speaking tests daunting and prefer speaking into a microphone.
Since the speaking test is conducted on a separate date, candidates need to free themselves for two days to take the test.
The Writing test for IELTS is considered fairly tough to score on compared to the other tests and can be a stumbling block for students who struggle with the essay structure.
The scores for IELTS are not as detailed as the other two, and hence, test takers may require significant improvement to increase their score by even a single band.

Advantages of TOEFL

The questions are fairly straightforward in TOEFL and it has been found to be easier to get higher scores in.
The scoring for the Speaking test is a lot more objective with multiple evaluators comparing notes to ensure a fair score.
TOEFL is more readily accepted in the US and Canada.
TOEFL is very accessible with 4500 test centres around the world.
TOEFL is slightly less expensive than the other two tests.

Disadvantages of TOEFL

TOEFL does not have a separate test for General, and hence, is tougher for those taking it for immigration purposes.
Test takers might need to be fast to register since test dates for TOEFL fill up fast, and there are late registration fees for registering on a short deadline.
It is the longest exam among the three, taking almost 4 hours or more.
Since it is exclusively computer-based, it can be hard for those lacking basic computer skills.

Advantages of PTE

PTE results can be received the fastest – within a couple of days to up to a week.
The writing test in PTE is much easier since you are only required to write one long-form response.
PTE can be finished within a single day and is, therefore, the shortest of the three tests in terms of time required.
There is no physical examiner present through most of the test which is completely automated.

Disadvantages of PTE

PTE, being quite new compared to the other two, is still not accepted at many major universities.
Since the Speaking test is evaluated through a computer, there are chances of getting a low score because of a heavy accent.
The recordings for PTE Listening can be tough to decipher since they use real lectures in English.

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