What are the differences between IELTS and PTE Academic?

What are the differences between IELTS and PTE Academic

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Both tests are designed to test a candidate's level of English and are used by universities to assess whether or not an individual is ready to begin university study, but there are significant differences in the two tests, both in format and content.

Integrated and separate skills

The IELTS tests the four skills of listening, reading, writing and speaking separately whereas the PTE Academic is what is known as an integrated skills test. This means that each question in the test assesses more than one skill at the same time. For example, you could be asked to read a text and write a summary of it, which is a reading and writing integrated skills test or you might have to listen to a lecture and summarise it orally, which is integrating listening and speaking.

Computer and paper based

Probably the biggest difference between the two tests is that the IELTS is completely paper based and the PTE Academic is entirely computer based. This means that the two have different timings for taking the test and receiving the results. The IELTS listening, reading and writing are done on the same day with the speaking test being done on a different day and it takes about two weeks for a candidate to receive their results. In contrast, all sections of the PTE test speaking and writing, reading and listening are conducted on the same day and the results are available within 5 working days. All sections of this test are done on a computer including the speaking section.

Content

The topics in IELTS are semi academic and are of general interest with no specialist knowledge required and have been written by specialist test writers. The main difference with the PTE is that the materials are authentic, including the listenings, which means that they are real academic lectures from real lecturers. The IELTS recordings are spoken by actors so they are less authentic.

Reporting results/ certificates

The IELTS results are graded on a 9 band scale and an average of the four papers gives the final result. The paper certificate gives the final result and a breakdown of the bands for each skill. The PTE certificate is electronic only for security reasons and the score is reported on a scale from 10 to 90. The result is broken down into the four skills and has a second section called the "enabling skills" which gives a score for grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary and written discourse. This section is useful for candidates to see which areas they need to improve.

Which test is better for me?

This really depends on what kind of test situation you prefer and how familiar you are with test format. You should research both tests and practise them to find out which one suits your test taking style.

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