Introduction
An important decision I struggled with when trying to get my Australian PR was which test to attempt: PTE or IELTS. Which one is better? I wish someone would guide me on the best test for my situation, but looking back, I think I chose the right one. Below are the criteria that helped me decide. I am not saying one is better than the other; it is simply what suits your needs best.
My criteria for choosing the test
When I started to research what English test I should take, the most recommended test was IELTS; some visa agents I spoke with recommended IELTS, while others recommended PTE. To resolve my dilemma, I researched more for each exam individually.
I had two important criteria in my mind
- My first criterion was that I wanted a test where I could maximise my English scores, and PTE seemed to fit the bill. I came across examples of aspirants who had scored an overall score of 90. This is possible because PTE is a completely computer-based exam. This is not the case with IELTS, because even if you attempt the IELTS online, you still need to do an online interview with an IELTS examiner.
- My second criterion was that I should be able to prepare and attempt the exam within a month. Again, PTE seemed to be a better choice for me on this front, too, as it could be tried in one go, unlike IELTS, where the speaking test has to be scheduled separately with an IELTS examiner. This not only seemed time-consuming but also an additional hassle to me.
When I attempted the PTE exam in 2016, it was not accepted for immigration in the UK and Canada, but now it is accepted in both countries for immigration too. It has come a long way since then. You can check the details of my PTE journey here
How to select between PTE and IELTS?
Which test suits you the best depends on your circumstances. However, I have tried to share a few pointers to help you decide
- Check if the test you want to attempt is accepted for immigration or study in the destination country.
- If you are applying for a student visa, does your college or institution only accept the scores of a particular test? For example, many institutions will specify that they need a certain score on a certain test type. So, before you select, ensure your choice aligns with the institution’s requirements.
- Do you prefer to give the speaking test face-to-face with a human examiner (IELTS), or are you okay with attempting the speaking test online in the testing centre (PTE)?
- Do you prefer to take the test in one sitting, or are you okay with taking the speaking test separately?
- How fast do you want your results?
Answering these questions will provide clarity on what works best for you.
PTE vs IELTS comparison table
I have prepared a detailed comparison table to help compare both tests.
| Parameters | PTE | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Owned by | Owned by Pearson | Jointly owned by – British Council IDP IELTS Cambridge university press and assessment |
| Duration | Single 2 Hours test | 2 hours (online or a written test) + 45 minutes (face-to-face interview for the speaking section) = 2 hours and 45 minutes. |
| Ways to take the test | Test centre – Computer-based test in a Pearson test centre. A face-to-face interview for the speaking section of the test is not required. | IELTS on a computer – Conducted in an IELTS test centre on a computer. The speaking section is tested during a face-to-face interview with an IELTS examiner. IELTS on paper – You must write the test on paper in an IELTS test centre. The speaking section is tested during a face-to-face interview with an IELTS examiner. IELTS online – This option is only available for the IELTS Academic test type. You can take the test online from your home or any other location with a stable internet connection. The speaking section can be tested in an online video call with an IELTS examiner |
| Test scoring | No human bias is involved, as the in-house AI engine does the scoring. | Writing and speaking tests are scored by human examiners, whereas listening and reading tests are marked by AI. |
| Cost | INR 18,000 | IELTS Academic on computer – INR 17,000 IELTS General training on computer – INR 17,000 IELTS UKVI Academic on computer – INR 17,250 IELTS UKVI General Training on computer – INR 17,250 |
| Parts / Papers in the test | Divided into 3 parts Part 1 – Speaking & Writing Part 2 – Listening Part3 – Reading | Divided into 4 papers Listening Reading Writing Speaking |
| Type | PTE Academic PTE Core UK visa tests | IELTS Academic IELTS General Training IELTS UKVI Academic |
| Immigration | Australia Canada New Zealand UK US and Other countries | Australia Canada France Ireland New Zealand UK US and Other countries |
| Study | Australia Canada Germany New Zealand UK USA and Other countries | Australia Canada Germany New Zealand UK USA and Other countries |
| Result | The result is valid for 2 years from the date of the result | IELTS on a computer – The result is available 1-2 days after attempting the test. ELTS on paper – The result is available 13 days after attempting the test or 7 days in India. IELTS online – The result is available 6-8 days after attempting the test. |
| Validity | The result is valid for 2 years from the date of the result | IELTS Academic IELTS General Training IELTS UKVI |
PTE vs IELTS Pros and Cons
| PTE – Pro’s | IELTS – Cons |
| No human bias is involved, as the in-house AI engine does the scoring. | Writing and speaking tests are scored by human examiners, whereas listening and reading tests are marked by AI. |
| The total test duration is 2 hours. | Total duration is 2 hours and 45 minutes. |
| High-scoring test. | Comparatively, not as high scoring as PTE. |
| It can be given in a single attempt, as the Speaking section is also online, so there is no need to schedule it separately. | Speaking test needs to be given separately, even though it is possible to schedule it on the same day. |
| Fast results, as results are shared normally within 2 business days. | Only the result of IELTS on the computer is shared in 1-2 business days; other formats can take up to 13 business days. |
| PTE – Cons | IELTS – Pros |
| Completely computer-based test, there is no option for a paper-based test (only a con for people who are looking for paper-based tests) | Flexibility to choose between paper-based and computer-based. This is especially helpful for people with minimal computer skills. |
| PTE’s reach has increased, but it still lags in terms of the number of institutions that accept PTE scores for admission. | It has a much wider reach than PTE and is accepted by 12,000 organisations in 150 countries. |
| The test is fast-paced, and most tasks are in seconds, except for the Writing tasks (summarise written text and essay). | IELTS is not as fast paced in comparison. |
| Gives no option to come back to a question on which the next has been clicked. | Gives an option to skip questions and come back to them later. |