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Zollege Team

Content Curator | Updated On - May 13, 2024

Highlights - 

  •  PTE Academic uses automated scoring technologies to evaluate the exam results, whereas IELTS result is evaluated manually.
  • Universities and Test Organizations accepted PTE to IELTS converted scores to help students who had invested significant time, effort, and resources in preparing for one type of exam.
  • The test duration allotted for IELTS exam is 2 hours and 45 minutes, while PTE is conducted a 2 hours and 20 minutes exam.
  • IELTS speaking test is conducted face to face, whereas PTE speaking test is conducted on a computer. 

PTE and IELTS have different scoring methodologies, PTE Academic is scored against the global scale of English score scale ranging from 10 to 90, while the IELTS score band range is from 1 to 9. The overall score is the average of individual subskills scores of listening, speaking, reading & writing. The key difference between PTE and IELTS is that the former is entirely computer-based, whereas the latter offers both paper and computer-delivered tests. If your score is 8.5 in IELTS, then your PTE score would be 89. PTE results are available within 2 days whereas IELTS might require up to 2 weeks for the results. 


 


PTE and IELTS Difference

Both PTE and IELTS exams are designed to examine the aspirant’s proficiency in the English language. In 2023, IELTS One Skill Retake launched across the world, so candidates can retake one part of the IELTS test. For the PTE exam dates, candidates are required to book and sit for the full test again. The table mentioned below covers the basic PTE and IELTS differences:

Parameters IELTS PTE
Conducted By IDP Education Ltd. Pearson PLC Group
Duration 2 hours and 45 minutes 2 hours and 20 minutes
Scoring Pattern 0-9 Band Score 10–90 points
Test Fee INR 16,250 INR 15,900
Result 13 days after the test Within 2 days after the test

PTE vs IELTS: Format and Test Type

The main exam structure of PTE academic and IELTS is quite similar. In the PTE exam pattern, a candidate’s English proficiency is evaluated into three parts; listening, speaking and writing, and reading. IELTS exam syllabus has four parts; listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

Parameters PTE IELTS
Duration of the exam
  • Speaking + Writing (combined): 54–67 minutes
  • Reading: 29–30 minutes
  • Listening: 30–43 minutes
  • Overall, 2 hours and 20 minutes
  • IELTS Listening: 30 minutes
  • IELTS Reading: 60 minutes
  • IELTS Writing: 60 minutes
  • IELTS Speaking: 11–14 minutes
  • Overall, 2 hours and 45 minutes
Mode of exam
  • Listening, writing, and reading are taken on computer-based tests with MCQ questions.
  • Speaking is done via computers and assessed by Artificial intelligence.
  • Listening, writing, and reading are taken as written or computer-based as per the student's choice.
  • Speaking test is done face-to-face.
Reading
  • 29–30 minutes
  • 13–18 questions
  • Multiple choice, fill in the blanks, and reorder sentences.
  • 60 minutes
  • 40 questions
  • Paragraphs
  • Question type: Multiple choice, fill in the blanks, associate paragraphs with headings, complete summary, sentence completion, and matching
Writing
  • 30–45 minutes
  • Writing + speaking
  • 2–4 questions
  • Summarize written text: 70 words
  • Essay: 200–300 words
  • 60 minutes
  • 2 questions /tasks
  • Task 1: 20 minutes, 150 words image summary or written description
  • Task 2: 40 minutes, 250 words. Write an essay, argument or response on a given topic.
Listening
  • 30–43 minutes
  • 12–20 questions
  • Question type: multiple choice, fill in the blanks, summarize, select incorrect words, and write dictation.
  • 30 + 10 minutes
  • 40 questions
  • Monologue and conversation
  • Question type: sentence completion, summary complete, matching, multiple choice, fill in the blanks, and short answers.
Speaking
  • 25–33 questions
  • Read aloud
  • Retell lecture
  • Repeat sentence
  • Short answer
  • Describe image-based questions
  • 11–14 minutes.
  • Introduction and interview
  • 2-minute speech on a given topic.
  • Discussion on the same topic

PTE vs IELTS Score Calculator

PTE vs IELTS score calculator has different modules. PTE score is calculated on a scale of 10-90 for each section of the exam. Most of the top universities accept minimum PTE scores chart of 55 to 60. IELTS score is evaluated on a scale of 0-9 for every section. Candidates are given an IELTS band score for every section, and the average score is based on the band score of each section. The table mentioned below describes PTE vs IELTS score chart:

PTE Score IELTS Band Score
86-90 9
83-85 8.5
79-82 8
73-78 7.5
65-72 7.0
58-64 6.5
50-57 6.0
42-49 5.5
36-41 5.0
29-35 4.5

IELTS has more recognition over the years, and PTE is gaining popularity not only in India but in many other countries as well. PTE and IELTS both have their own advantages and disadvantages.

FAQs

Ques - Is PTE easier than IELTS?

Ans - Both IELTS and PTE exam evaluates a candidate’s English language proficiency skills.

Ques - Is PTE expensive than IELTS?

Ans - IELTS exam fee in India is INR 16,250, and the fee for PTE exam is INR 15,900 INR.

Ques - Is PTE accepted in USA?

Ans - PTE exam scores are accepted by most of the top universities in USA.

Ques - Which is better IELTS or PTE for PR?

Ans - PTE is a new exam compared to the IELTS, and PTE is not recognized globally.

Ques - Why is PTE harder than IELTS?

Ans - Both the exam IELTS and PPTE have the same exam sections; writing, speaking, reading, and listening. There are some differences in the mode of the examination, and the exam format.

Ques - Does Australia prefer PTE or IELTS?

Ans - According to most of the candidates studying or working, IELTS exam is best for Australia.

Ques - Is PTE easy to crack?

Ans - Most of the candidates preparing for PTE academics, consider it as an easier exam to crack.

Ques - How many years is PTE valid?

Ans - PTE exam score is valid up to two years from the date of the examination.

Ques - What is the maximum PTE marks?

Ans - PTE exam full score is 90.

Ques - How much is 7 bands in PTE?

Ans - PTE Academic score of 65-72 is compared to a 7 IELTS band score.

Ques: Which test is more popular PTE or IELTS?

Ans: IELTS is currently more popular since it is widely accepted, but PTE is gaining popularity due to its flexibility and faster results. Every university from all the top countries in the world accept IELTS as the standard test for English proficiency. However, PTE might not be accepted in all universities.

Ques: Which among PTE and IELTS is computer-based?

Ans: PTE exam is entirely computer-based and no human interference is required. The scoring of the PTE Exam is also done via AI or Artificial intelligence, while IELTS offers both paper and computer formats. The scoring of IELTS is done by computer and human.

Ques: Which among the two exams is faster to get results?

Ans: PTE is faster in delivering results since it is totally based on computer and AI. The PTE exam delivers results in 5-7 business days, while IELTS takes 10-13 days. IELTS takes more days since the checking is done by humans also.

Ques: Does PTE have speaking with a human examiner?

Ans: No, PTE uses AI for all sections, including speaking. There is no human examiner or face to face interview for the PTE speaking section. The IELTS exam has a human examiner for the speaking test. You need to take the speaking test in front of a human examiner.

Ques: Is the scoring system the same?

Ans: No, the scoring system for IELTS and PTE are not same. PTE uses a scaled score from 0-90, while IELTS uses a band score from 1-9. The results are also different and so is the score comparison while taking admissions to universities.

Ques: Which is easier to score high on?

Ans: The difficulty level of the PTE and IELTS exam is subjective and depends on the knowledge and the capability of the student. Some students find PTE's integrated tasks challenging, while others struggle with IELTS's traditional formats.

Ques: How many universities accept PTE?

Ans: There are thousands of universities that accept PTE worldwide. PTE is accepted in 73 countries and 3000+ universities worldwide. You must check the official website and the university requirements to know if they accept PTE.

Ques: Which test is better PTE or IELTS?

Ans: Among PTE and IELTS, most students consider IELTS as a better test due to the fact that it is accepted in all universities worldwide. The reach of the IELTS exam is higher than the PTE exam. However, if the university you are applying to accepts PTE, then you can proceed as per that.

Ques: What is the IELTS band score for 80 in PTE?

Ans: The IELTS band score for 80 in PTE is 8 which is very good if we look at the requirements for top universities in the world. PTE to IELTS score converter helps us to understand the score and how they are compared. However, universities will not convert the scores while admissions.

Ques: Does PTE have all 4 sections like IELTS exam?

Ans: Yes PTE has all 4 sections which are reading, writing, listening and speaking. The skills tested are similar but the time and the questions for the exams are different. You also do not need to give a face to face speaking round in PTE exam.

*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.

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