What are the main differences between IELTS and PTE exams?

IELTS stands for International English Language Testing Standard whereas PTE is known as Pearson’s Test of English. Both dedicatedly check your English language skills with minute differences.

There are a lot of comparisons made between the IELTS format and the PTE Exam Format. Both of them are English proficiency tests but have a different set of rules and formats that need to be followed. 

The major difference between IELTS and PTE lies in the mode of examination. The former is conducted in an examination hall & the scoring is also done conventionally whereas the latter is executed online with absolutely no human intervention at all.

A simulation of the actual exam - Pearson PTE mock test is provided on Alfa PTE’s practice portal.

Difference between IELTS and PTE Exam
 

• PTE is strictly a computer-based examination and IELTS is both online and paper-based.
   
• IELTS offers General and Academic, while PTE is only Academic.
   
• Both PTE & IELTS are globally accepted. The globally approved program of PTE helps migrants to reach out to different countries very easily.
   
• PTE gives you a complete chance to showcase your skills with an elaborated examination of three hours. IELTS on the other hand is split into two parts & sometimes both parts of conducted on 2 different days.
   
• PTE covers up all English communication skills together as all the modules are inter-related to each other. It checks out your caliber altogether through a portion of the examination. IELTS on the other hand assesses everything separately. It finds out whether you are equally skilled in all forms of English or not.

A few other differences between IELTS and PTE Exam Format
 

• Pearson’s Test of English lets you navigate through all the questions and correct the mistakes side by side. Each question has a specific duration allotted and you must complete it within the permissible time. In the case of IELTS, you can skip questions and read them again after executing a certain proportion. There is no specific time allotted to every section and it is your own sweets will that how you take up everything.

• The results of IELTS are released approximately 13 days after the examination. Even when you take up the computer-based examination, there is a lot of time that needs to be invested in waiting for the results. Talking about PTE, it does not take more than 5 business days for you to receive the results.

• Alfa PTE is the best place where you can prepare & practise for your PTE exam. IELTS on the other hand as no specific place to get trained. The struggle is high and the complexity is more.

• PTE is quite broad because it trains for general purposes also. It is not just a migration based examination but something that makes you skilled for a lifetime. IELTS on the other hand sticks to migration purposes and is quite specific for everything. It doesn't have a flexible approach unlike PTE.

Also Read: Things to Know Before You Embark on the PTE Journey