English language fluency is essential for anyone looking for job, immigration, or educational opportunities in countries where English is considered first language.
IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE are three significant examination programs that have grown in popularity globally. The right test to take is a critical choice that is influenced by a number of elements, including individual preferences, needs of the destination country, and the test formats.
Universities and immigration offices frequently use these examinations as prerequisites to determine a student’s level of English ability. We’ll examine the main distinctions and characteristics of these three important tests in this article.
1. Test Acceptance Worldwide:
IELTS and TOEFL stand out as the most widely accepted tests, recognized by 99% of universities and immigration departments globally.
PTE, however, has a smaller audience and needs to be better-accepted. Notably, PTE is accepted by almost half of US universities and is widely accepted at UK and Australian institutions. It is also approved for student visas for the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
2. Assessment Methods:
IELTS: Consists of a face-to-face interview and formal testing procedures administered by human examiners.
PTE: Employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) for 100% assessment.
TOEFL: Both human and artificial intelligence raters grade the TOEFL speaking test recordings.
3. Test Variations:
Each test offers variations to cater to different needs of individuals. Such as:
IELTS offer General, Academic, UKVI modules.
PTE offers Home, General, Academic and Academic UKVI variations.
TOEFL offers iBT Home Edition, iBT Academic and TOEFL Essentials (General).
4. Response Time:
The response time for each test is different. The results of PTE are accessible in 48 hours. The result of TOEFL takes around 6-7days following the exam. Whereas, IELTS paper-based tests take 13days while IELTS computer based takes 3-5 working days following the exam.
5. Test Centers:
PTE has more than 250 locations worldwide and allows retests up to 24 hours in advance. IELTS offers unlimited retests at 1,200 locations in 140 countries but not within three days. The TOEFL exam can be taken online (iBT), on paper (PBT), in a testing facility, or at home.
6. Scoring System:
PTE scores are given on a scale from 10 to 90. IELTS score are given on a scale of 0 to 9 bands. Whereas TOEFL scores on their standardized scale of 0 to 120.
7. Integrated Skill Testing:
While PTE and TOEFL integrate abilities into specific tasks, IELTS maintains a clear division of skills in various portions.
Some people can find the integrated questions on the PTE and TOEFL more difficult because they have merged skills in its tests.
8. Convenience of Scheduling Test:
PTE allows scheduling flexibility, allowing tests to be arranged with as little as 24 hours’ notice, 365 days per year.
In IELTS individuals may experience scheduling issues, particularly because of their busy times. As IELTS have a maintained calendar of tests to be taken.
Since TOEFL is computer-based, there are typically more openings as compared to IELTS.
The decision between PTE, IELTS, and TOEFL will depend on personal preferences, test requirements for particular universities, and the desired speed of results. Each test has its distinctive elements, so applicants should carefully assess their strengths and shortcomings before choosing a test. One can also get in touch with Jak Institute if need assistance in learning any of these courses in Dubai.
Success ultimately depends on having a strong command of the English language, whether you choose the human touch of IELTS, the effectiveness of PTE, or the combined approach of TOEFL.
