PTE or IELTS – Hear our voice before you make your choice

For years English proficiency tests have been a source of anxiety for potential students, who wish to attain the finest education from universities abroad. Both the TOEFL and the IELTS have been around for decades. Minor tweaks in their testing systems over the years have made them more efficient, but not less daunting. However, there is a new test… an improved test, if I might add, in the English testing department. It is the Pearson’s Test of English! It is fair to say that this test is revolutionizing the approach to assessing the linguistic ability of a student.

The PTE Academic is gaining rapid recognition amongst students who intend to attain the required score on their first attempt. The test is designed to thoroughly evaluate the literacy of a student, while keeping it simple.

Below is a list of the differences between IELTS and PTE:

Acceptance: As mentioned earlier, PTE is a relatively new test. However, its acceptance in IV league Universities such as Harvard and Yale speaks volumes about its rapid growth. PTE Academic is also approved by the Australian Government for Visa applications. IELTS, on the other hand, is widely recognized by European Universities.

Testing Method: It is only natural for students to be apprehensive about the speaking section of an English test.  This fear is generally due to the presence of a personal examiner. With the PTE you will not have a face to face meeting with a person. Instead, you will speak into a microphone, which will record your speech and forward it for evaluation. Students tend to prefer this method of testing.

Delivery of results: Results of the Pearson’s Test of English are available to students within 5 working days, whereas IELTS results take 2 weeks to dispatch.

Accuracy: The accuracy of results for Pearson Test of English is unparalleled, owing to the exclusive use of computers for testing. An aptly programmed machine is unbiased and unerring.

Cost: English proficiency tests are far from cheap. Therefore, it is essential to consider the pricing of these tests before you take your pick.  The cost of IELTS is Rs. 11,100, as compared to the PTE Academic which is priced at Rs.10,990. However, if you buy a PTE voucher from any AECC Global branch in India you will receive a 10% discount on the market price, bringing your total expenditure down to Rs. 9,810.