IELTS and PTE are both English language ability tests, accepted worldwide for the purpose of visa. Here are some of the points of comparison between the two:
- PTE is a PC based test, while IELTS is paper based. In PTE, you record your voice and type your answers. While in IELTS, except for the Speaking section, the rest are taken on paper.
- There is a speaking analyst and a writing examiner for IELTS. All the assessment is done by software in PTE, therefore, the scoring in PTE is more precise.
- IELTS is the more recognised test of the two. The number of institutions and countries which accept IELTS exceeds those which accept PTE.
- In IELTS, each language skill, i.e. speaking, listening, reading, and writing, is examined independently. While in PTE, two to three skills are examined collectively in a single question.
- In PTE, besides the four fundamental abilities, six extra abilities are also evaluated: grammar, oral fluency, pronunciation, spelling, vocabulary, and written discourse.
- The PTE Academic reports a general score, aptitudes score and abilities score, while IELTS reports a general band score and aptitudes band score.
- Depending upon the availability of resources, you may have the Speaking test of IELTS the next day or on another day; however, in PTE you take the whole test at one sitting.
- In IELTS, after having taken an exam we need not wait for its result before booking the next, or more, exams. While in PTE, you cannot book another exam till you get the result of the exam in which you have already appeared.
