0Both of the Exams are equally important but there is always a comparison. For quite some time now, there have been two major English language proficiency tests that are used test an applicant’s efficiency of English. One is Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the other is International English Language Testing System (IELTS). However recently, Pearson – most sought after educational institution and publishing house in the US has launched its own Proficiency Exam to test English in 2009, The Pearson Test of English, Academic (PTE Academic test). IELTS which is already famous is most competing one to PTE Test. On the contrary, PTE is increasing substantially, leaps and bounds.
While each exam claims to be a test of “English” in the most universal sense of the word. IELTS is an international English language test. English language experts from around the globe contribute to the content and design of this testing system. On the other hand, matter for PTE Academic are submitted to Pearson by item writers from Australia, the UK and the US. Furthermore - from Australian content writers are reviewed by reviewers from the UK and the US, UK content writers by reviewers form Australia and US and US writer’s content by reviewers from Australia and UK. So, PTE Academic explicitly draws on all three major varieties of English, but the review process makes sure each item is perfectly understandable by speakers of all varieties.
It is appropriate to say that IELTS and PTE Academic tests claim to deliver equatable results; yet, not every program accepts both these exams. There is geographical variations in acceptance for both. In general, the IELTS exam is more accepted in Europe and Australia while the PTE Academic test, though the newest, is gaining significant traction into being accepted by Australian immigration and various academic programs. Moreover, its partners (of which, in the interest of full disclosure, Strictly English is one) are gaining a sizable footprint in the Australasian test-prep market.
In nutshell, Each program required different test altogether. So it high time to make sure you take the necessary exam for each program you apply to. This might mean you have to take IELTS for one program and PTE Academic test for another.
First of all, know the in the course or program requirement then compare the content and syllabus viz-i-viz your potential or capabilities. For instance, the Speaking section of IELTS and PTE Academic is very different. And since this language skill is often the most difficult for test-takers to master, you should consider which test’s Speaking section is best suited to your strengths.
In IELTS, you speak face-to-face with the Rater, which for some test-takers is more comforting, while for others is more nerve-wrecking. On both the other hand - in PTE Academic you speak into a microphone and the computer captures the audio. Again, this might be a little relaxing for some people or more unsettling. (NOTE: Your PTE speaking is evaluated by a computer program.)
All in all, familiarize yourself with all the options you have for each requirement. Do not just assume that a program will take a certain test, and please do not just assume that even though the tests say they all deliver equatable scoring, that you’ll score the same on each test. Make sure you take a couple of tests to figure out what works best for you.
