English Proficiency Tests-IELTS, TOEFL, PTE

By Aakriti Jain

• About us• Why is it Required?• Tests at a glance:

I. IELTSI. IELTS Academic Vs. General

II. TOEFLIII. PTE

• Score Comparison• The Difference

Contents

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Why is it requiredEnglish Language Proficiency is one of the important criteria for international students wishing to pursue their studies at an English-speaking University in a English Speaking country. Because universities want to make sure you have the English language skills necessary to study at their school, almost all institutes of higher learning require you to take a test of English. Especially for aspirants from countries like India, where English is not the first language for a lot of students, qualifying the English Language Proficiency tests becomes essential. The English Language Proficiency of international students is gauged through certain standardized tests.; IELTS, TOEFL and PTE. While TOEFL and IELTS are the more popular ones and are accepted by most number of universities, there are other tests like PTE which are newer entrants in this field.

All the three tests have certain varying characteristics which make each of them unique Still, there exist certain similarities in the basic nature of TOEFL, IELTS and PTE, like test modules:• Listening• Reading• Writing• Speaking

Tests at a glance- IELTS

IELTS or the International English Language Testing System is a standardized English Language Proficiency Test jointly owned by British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge English Language Assessment. Established in 1989, it is one of the most popular English Language Tests taken by study abroad aspirants.

Different Versions of IELTS:• Academic• General Training

Accepted by:• over 8,000 organizations globally

Where is it conducted:• 900 test centers and locations across more than 130 countries

Tests Dates:• IELTS Academic Version: 48 dates, the IELTS General Training Version : 24 dates

Registration Method:• Online or via mail

Registration Fees:• INR 10,600/- (subject to change)

Sections:• Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

IELTS- Academic Vs. General test

Tests at a glance-TOEFLTest of English Language as a Foreign Language, or popularly known as TOEFL, measures the examinees’ ability to use and understand English at the university level. It scales how well one can combine the listening, reading, speaking and writing skills to perform academic tasks. With a history dating back to 1964, TOEFL is older than IELTS or PTE. TOEFL is the trademark of ETS.

Category: Test Taking Formats:• TOEFL PBT (TOEFL Paper-based Test) and TOEFL iBT (TOEFL Internet-based Test)

Where is it conducted:• 4,500 test centers across 165 countries

Accepted by:• 8,500 colleges, agencies and other institutions in over 130 countries

Test Dates:• TOEFL iBT has more than 50 test dates per year

Registration method:• Online, by phone, by mail or in person

Registration Fees:• 165$

Sections:• Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

Tests at a glance-PTELaunched in 2009, PTE (Pearson Test of English) is one of the newest tests that tests and certifies the English language usage of non-native English speakers. PTE is accredited by the QCA and administered in association with Edexcel, UK’s largest examining body.

Versions:• Academic, General and Young Learner Test

Where is it conducted:• number of test centres across 46 countries

Accepted by:• Top UK universities, top US universities and government organizations. It is also

accepted by the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for Tier 4 and Tier 2 visa applications and all the universities in Australia

Registration method:• online or by phone

Registration Fees:• INR 9300/-Sections:• Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking

Score Comparison

Objective: Testing and Certifying English Language Proficiency

The DifferenceDifference IELTS TOEFL PTESpeaking Module IELTS is a conversation with a

certified IELTS Examiner which is recorded on an audiocassette or a digital recorder.

Candidates speak into a microphone and the computer captures the audio and evaluated by a human rater

Candidates speak into a microphone and the computer captures the audio and is evaluated by a computer programme

Writing Module questions are based on a diagram, graph, process or chart, or an argument

section involves writing essay responses based on reading and listening tasks and support an opinion in writing

automated speech and writing scoring

Acceptance Globally, but few US Universities prefer TOEFL score

Not valid in UK, accepted by all other countries

Mainly for Australia & New Zealand

Score Reports after 13 calendar day within two weeks available online in just five days

Score Reporting forward scores to four and five universities respectively for free

forward scores to four and five universities respectively for free

also sends score reports offering recorded speech samples to admissions offices at universities worldwide

When should you Register?

you need to book at least 2-3weeks in advance

at least 1 – 2 months ahead dates easily available and you can have the score within 5 days