If you’re planning to study, work or migrate abroad, passing an English proficiency test is an essential step in achieving your goal. However, there are several factors to consider before choosing the right test. Let’s take a closer look at these factors.
In the world of English proficiency testing, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is the clear leader, with test centres in over 140 countries and recognition from over 11,500 organisations worldwide. Following closely behind is TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) which is accepted by roughly the same number of organisations but has less test centres, while PTE (Pearson Test of English) is a relatively new entrant.
Many people wonder which test is easier, but unfortunately, there is no simple answer. It’s important to examine the scoring systems of each test in detail to determine which one is best suited for your individual needs.
About the tests and their histories
TOEFL
Introduced in 1964, TOEFL is the oldest English proficiency test. It assesses the reading, writing, listening, and speaking abilities of test takers through four separate components that consist of one hour each, meaning it takes a total of four hours to complete the test.
The Reading and Listening sections are multiple-choice and assess the ability to understand academic texts and lectures, while the Speaking and Writing sections are usually computer-based and assess the ability to express ideas in English through spoken and written responses.
TOEFL is developed and administered by ETS (Educational Testing Service) and is available in two formats: the TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) and the TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test). The TOEFL iBT is the most common format and is offered in most countries, while the TOEFL PBT is less common; despite being the original format of the test and is only offered in some countries where internet access is limited.
IELTS
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System and like TOEFL evaluates the four language skills of a test taker; listening, reading, writing, and speaking. The test is designed to measure the English language ability of test takers who plan to study, work, or migrate to an English-speaking country.
IELTS is administered by British Council, IDP Education, and Cambridge Assessment English. It is available in two formats, IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. IELTS Academic is intended for people who want to pursue higher education, whereas IELTS General Training is used for work and immigration purposes. Both formats of the test comprise four sections and take about two hours and 45 minutes to complete. The Listening, Reading, and Writing sections are held on the same day, while the Speaking section can be taken on the same day or up to a week before or after the other sections.
PTE
PTE (Pearson Test of English) is an English proficiency test that measures a person’s ability to read, write, speak, and listen in English. It’s similar to TOEFL and is also accepted by universities, colleges, and governments as proof of English language proficiency.
PTE is developed and administered by Pearson, a global education company. The test is computer-based, and the Speaking and Writing sections use artificial intelligence to evaluate the test-taker’s responses. The test will take around three hours to complete and assesses a range of language skills needed for academic and everyday situations.
Test Scoring
How TOEFL is scored
Each section of the TOEFL (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) is scored out of 30 points. The scores from the four sections are added together to give a total score out of 120.
TOEFL scores are generally available online within six days after you take the test. The official score report is sent to the test taker’s designated institutions or agencies within 11 days after the test.
In addition to the total score, TOEFL also provides a scaled score for each section of the test. The scaled score ranges from 0 to 30 points and is based on the number of correct answers and the difficulty level of the questions in that section.
The scaled score is reported along with the raw score, which is the number of questions answered correctly in that section. The raw score is converted to a scaled score using a statistical process called equating, which takes into account the difficulty level of the questions in that section.
The scaled score is useful for comparing your performance to others who have taken the TOEFL and for understanding your strengths and weaknesses in each section of the test.
How IELTS is scored
There are four sections in the IELTS test: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking. Each section is scored separately on a band scale of 0 to 9, and then an average of these four scores is taken to produce an overall band score.
For example, if you score 7 in Listening, 6.5 in Reading, 7 in Writing, and 7.5 in Speaking, your average score would be (7+6.5+7+7.5) / 4 = 7.0.
The band score is intended to reflect the test taker’s ability to use English in real-life situations. A score of 9 indicates expert level proficiency, while a score of 1 indicates non-user level proficiency. Most universities and immigration authorities require a minimum band score for admission or immigration purposes.
In addition to the overall band score, IELTS provides a separate score for each section of the test, which is reported on a band scale of 0 to 9. This helps test takers to identify their strengths and weaknesses and focus on improving their skills in specific areas.
How PTE is scored
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) uses a scoring system called the Global Scale of English (GSE) to assess a candidate’s English language proficiency. The GSE is a scale of language proficiency that ranges from 10 to 90. A score of 10 means that the person has little to no English proficiency, while a score of 90 indicates that the person is highly proficient in English.
Each section of the PTE test is scored individually, and the scores are then combined to give an overall score. The sections include speaking, writing, reading, and listening. The scaled scores for each section range from 10 to 90. The scaled scores are derived through a statistical procedure called Item Response Theory (IRT), to try and ensure that scores from different versions of the test are comparable.
The PTE score report provides information about a candidate’s performance on each section of the test, as well as their overall score. The report also includes feedback on areas where the candidate may need to improve their English proficiency.
In addition to the overall score, the PTE test provides separate scores for communicative skills and enabling skills. Communicative skills refer to a person’s ability to use English for real-life communication, while enabling skills refer to a person’s ability to use grammar, vocabulary, and pronunciation correctly.
Ways to take TOEFL, PTE and IELTS
TOEFL: The TOEFL test is primarily taken on a computer, but there are some places where the computer test is not available, so a paper-based test is offered instead. This means that test takers can choose to take the test on a computer or on paper, depending on what’s available in their area.
IELTS: The IELTS test gives test takers the option to choose between a computer-based or paper-based test. This means that test takers can choose to write their answers with a pen instead of typing on a keyboard if they prefer. This can be a helpful option for people who are more comfortable with writing by hand.
PTE: The PTE test is fully computer-based, which means that test takers will take the entire test on a computer. This can be convenient for those who are computer literate.
At Home and Online Testing Options
TOEFL: The TOEFL test now offers an at-home testing option called TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition, which can be taken on a computer from home. This test is identical in content, format, and on-screen experience to the traditional TOEFL iBT test taken at a test centre but can be taken anywhere with a reliable internet connection.
PTE: The PTE exam also offers an at-home testing option called PTE Home, which can be taken on a personal computer. This test is identical in content, format, and on-screen experience to the traditional PTE Academic test taken at a test centre. The test requires a reliable internet connection, and test takers must use their own computer and microphone.
IELTS: IELTS Online is a new way to take the IELTS Academic and enables students to take the test from their own home or another suitable private location; provided they have a reliable internet connection and meet the system requirements.
The biggest Difference – Real person vs Robot
The IELTS Speaking section involves a face-to-face interaction with a trained examiner in a private room. This provides test-takers with the opportunity to communicate directly with another person and receive feedback in real-time. The examiner will ask a variety of questions on different topics, allowing test-takers to showcase their ability to effectively communicate in English. This type of assessment is particularly beneficial for those who appreciate personal interaction and the ability to ask for clarification.
A key advantage of the IELTS Speaking section is that the examiners are trained to understand various accents and dialects, so test-takers do not have to worry about being misunderstood. This can be particularly reassuring for non-native English speakers who may be concerned about being penalised for their accent or dialect.
In contrast, the Speaking sections of PTE and TOEFL are conducted via a computer and microphone. Test-takers will speak into a microphone and respond to pre-recorded questions. However, the TOEFL Speaking section is evaluated by a human, while the PTE Speaking section is evaluated by a computer program. This approach offers the convenience of taking the test on a computer, which some test-takers may prefer.
Overall, if you are someone who prefers a more personal, human interaction and is comfortable speaking to an examiner face-to-face, then the IELTS Speaking section may be a better choice for you. However, if you are comfortable speaking into a microphone and prefer the convenience of taking the test on a computer, then the PTE or TOEFL Speaking sections may be a better fit. Ultimately, it’s important to choose the test that best fits your needs and preferences.
Question Types
TOEFL question types
Reading: Multiple choice questions, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank questions that test your ability to understand and analyse academic texts. Some questions ask you to identify the main idea, purpose, or organization of a text, while others may require you to make inferences or draw conclusions based on the information presented.
Listening: Multiple choice questions and lectures that test your ability to understand spoken English in academic settings. You may need to identify the main idea, details, or speaker’s attitude, or make inferences based on the information presented.
Speaking: Tasks that require you to respond to prompts by speaking on a given topic, summarizing information, expressing an opinion, or analysing a problem. You will be evaluated on your ability to organize and convey your ideas clearly and coherently, as well as your grammar and pronunciation.
Writing: Tasks that require you to write an essay in response to a prompt, summarize information from a reading passage and a lecture, or analyse a problem and propose a solution. You will be evaluated on your ability to organize and develop your ideas, use appropriate language and grammar, and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
IELTS question types:
Reading: Multiple choice questions, short-answer questions, and matching tasks that test your ability to understand and analyse academic and non-academic texts. Some questions ask you to identify the main idea, purpose, or organization of a text, while others may require you to make inferences or draw conclusions based on the information presented.
Listening: Multiple choice questions, note completion, and matching tasks that test your ability to understand spoken English in a variety of situations, such as lectures, conversations, and news reports. You may need to identify the main idea, details, or speaker’s attitude, or make inferences based on the information presented.
Writing: Tasks that require you to write an essay in response to a prompt, summarize information from a graph or chart, or analyse a problem and propose a solution. You will be evaluated on your ability to organize and develop your ideas, use appropriate language and grammar, and demonstrate critical thinking skills.
Speaking: Tasks that require you to respond to prompts by speaking on a given topic, expressing an opinion, or analysing a problem. You will be evaluated on your ability to organize and convey your ideas clearly and coherently, as well as your grammar and pronunciation.
PTE question types:
Speaking and Writing: Tasks that require you to respond to prompts by speaking on a given topic, summarizing information, expressing an opinion, or analysing a problem. You may also need to write an essay in response to a prompt. The questions are designed to test your ability to communicate effectively in real-life situations, such as giving a presentation or writing an email.
Reading: Multiple choice questions, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank questions that test your ability to understand and analyse academic and non-academic texts. Some questions ask you to identify the main idea, purpose, or organization of a text, while others may require you to make inferences or draw conclusions based on the information presented.
Listening: Multiple choice questions, drag-and-drop, and fill-in-the-blank questions that test your ability to understand spoken English in a variety of situations, such as lectures, conversations, and news reports. You may need to identify the main idea, details, or speaker’s attitude, or make inferences based on the information presented.
TOEFL Vs. PTE Vs. IELTS – Which should you take?
When it comes to choosing a test format, it’s important to consider factors beyond just question types. As mentioned earlier, factors such as the scoring system, delivery mode (computer-based vs. paper-based) and speaking assessment method can also play a role in your decision. Additionally, it’s worth considering the requirements of the institution or organisation you are applying to, as they may have a preference for one test over another.
Ultimately, the best way to decide on a test format is to familiarise yourself with the content and format of each test, and consider which one aligns best with your strengths and preferences.
