The PTE Academic is an actual English language test. This means that it evaluates natural, everyday English ability using real source materials and a variety of dialects. Although the exam is laid out, students must still comprehend the assignments in each area and know what they must accomplish to be successful on test day.
The good news is that you can simply adjust to assist candidates in getting ready for their PTE Academic exam if you are already experienced in IELTS Academic preparation. Let’s examine the parallels and discrepancies between the two exams and see how you may modify your test-taking strategies to succeed on the PTE Academic.
Differences between IELTS and PTE
When thinking about PTE vs. IELTS, we know that you desire to take the greatest exam available to present your language proficiency. You also wish to obtain the scores required for your studies or visa. Let’s examine the variations between the PTE-A and IELTS.
IELTS provides an option between paper and computer, which is, in essence, the primary distinction between it and the PTE. The PTE exam is entirely computer-based, and a machine that may be prejudiced marks the answers. Speaking on the PTE is done face-to-face with the computer, but speaking on the IELTS requires you to converse with the examiner.
There are several variations between IELTS and PTE Academic. To put it briefly, IELTS is more equitable since it lets you retake a portion of the exam. Because IELTS blends automaking with actual human examiners, it also eliminates biased marking by a machine. A primary distinction is that the IELTS exam is administered on paper and computer. PTE-A can only be accessed via a computer.
With one skill retake available, IELTS is the sole important exam. You can only take one of the four IELTS test components—speaking, writing, listening, or reading. If you do not pass the PTE Academic, you must schedule, pay for, and take the entire exam again. Going for PTE courses is the best idea to score well. IELTS gives you a fair second chance to obtain the required score, unlike PTE.
Over 12,000 organisations accept your IELTS scores. A few thousand organisations and academic institutions worldwide accept your PTE results. IELTS is recognised by more employers, academic institutions, professional associations, and immigration departments than PTE Academic.
Structure Difference
The PTE Academic and IELTS Academic speaking sections differ significantly. First, speech and writing are assessed as integrated skills in PTE Academic but independently in IELTS Academic.
Second, the PTE Academic Speaking portion is filled out and assessed automatically on a computer. The IELTS Academic speaking portion, on the other hand, is conducted in person with a human examiner. Many PTE Academic students feel less anxious about using a computer to complete the speaking portion. This is due to their self-assured belief that only their English proficiency is being evaluated.
Furthermore, the PTE Academic Speaking component can be finished in a single test session on the same day because it is computer-based. Students taking the IELTS Academic may need to finish the speaking portion up to one week later on a separate day.
Which Test is Easier?
If you’re wondering about PTE vs. IELTS, no test is simpler than the other. On the other hand, IELTS is easier to take and has a simpler format. The PTE exam consists of a large number of integrated questions. In one section of the exam, speaking and listening are combined. Or writing during the test’s reading portion. In contrast, you can concentrate on each task (speaking, writing, reading, and listening) independently in each of the four portions of the IELTS.
What increases the difficulty of PTE? There are multiple brief exercises spread over three areas of the PTE exam. PTE mixes up question kinds, which could be confusing to certain pupils. For instance, PTE A comprises writing and speaking, and you have only 54–67 minutes to do it.
More Points of Difference Between IELTS and PTE
You can only move forward through the questions on the PTE-A exam. You can learn how to fix errors by choosing a PTE course before going for the test questions. Additionally, each question is timed. On the computer version of the IELTS, however, you can bypass questions and return to them later. Alternatively, you can review your response later. Individual questions on the IELTS are not timed.
The way the test is marked is another significant distinction. PTE-A is scored by a machine automatically. A real person evaluates the speaking and writing portions of the IELTS exam, while the reading and listening portions are automatically graded. This is due to the possibility of bias from computer scoring certain test items. The US university MIT conducted study on the causes of this prejudice.
The Speaking test is another significant distinction. You take the speaking portion of the IELTS exam in person with a real person. You must talk into a microphone while taking the PTE-A exam, and everyone around you must do the same.
Conclusion
Although the PTE and IELTS tests measure non-native speakers’ English language competence, they serve different purposes and requirements. People who appreciate face-to-face communication and familiarity are drawn to IELTS because of its conventional pen-and-paper style and human evaluation of the speaking portion of the exam. On the other hand, the computer-based PTE appeals to tech-savvy test-takers who want faster results because it provides a more contemporary, simplified method with automated scoring. Ultimately, the decision between IELTS and PTE is based on personal preferences, strengths, and the particular needs of the immigration authorities or the institutions. Comprehending these distinctions can aid applicants in making a well-informed selection, matching their exam preference with their objectives and approach to testing for optimal results.
