IELTS
IELTS from Cambridge, often the most widely regarded, and perhaps for the time being the most versatile for the candidates’ purposes, of exam entry, job placement, and immigration and is the most commonly opted test for applying to UK universities. The IELTS exam includes 4 part components. The Reading and Listening are driven by multiple-choice questions and provide a raw score for candidates, whilst the Speaking and Writing are evaluated and banded towards multiple criteria of Vocabulary, Lexicon, Grammar and Accuracy. The latter involves two parts, one a 150-word summary report affiliated with a chart or table format, describing a process, or comparing information. The second part is more closely aligned to TOEFL’s independent writing style, and the candidate is required to structure a 250-word essay.
Candidates who are more comfortable with the British or Australian accent, vocabulary, spelling and expressions, are better suited to this exam. IELTS uses a wide variety of question types such as Multiple-Choice Questions, gap filler, which are often grammar orientated and matching questions. IELTS is shorter than TOEFL, but now that accolade of quick exam length is now geared towards Pearson’s PTE.
Cambridge exams are rated by a person as opposed to the computer and have been subject to an overhaul in recent years to fit the assessment and scoring method of their Linguaskill profile.
The proficiency level ranges from bands one to nine, with the latter score being that of an expert, and the range of difficulty and complexity grows from Band 6 onwards, so obtaining the bands often required by some universities and institutions, is by no means challenging without extensive study and preparation. Despite being thorough in their assessment process, the test results are available within 13 days from the test date.
TOEFL
TOEFL is the oldest and most established of English examinations, and certainly the most complex in terms of difficulty especially Academically. Developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS). TOEFL results are accepted by thousands of universities in hundreds of countries such as USA, UK, Canada, and Australia. This test can be taken on paper or on the internet and measures the listening, reading, grammar and writing skills of candidates, a style of exam which some would same is comparative to the IELTS exam, but with an enhanced level of difficulty in terms of length, pace and speed of the audio, and more in-depth questions being asked of the candidates in the listening component of the exam.
Certainly, what is more noticeable especially during the Listening component, is TOEFL is based more on US English, and if you are more comfortable with the American accent, vocabulary, spelling and expressions, this would be more suitable for you. TOEFL is the longest test of the three that lasts up to 4 hours, however in recent years, the iBT online exam is available at just over 3 hours to complete.
The proficiency level ranges from 0 to 120, and whilst that might be a little daunting for some who are being introduced to the English Language assessment for the first time, there are many guides that show that minimum required score for some institutions is 40 out of 120. However, is you are setting your sights on a higher score, the mean average is 79, be prepared to put in the time. From a below average score to the mean average or higher, can often require up to 6 months of preparation.
But if this is not your first time, and you might set out to improve your score by 10 points, this could be achievable with consistent study in 1 month. Sometimes this amount of preparation is necessary, when you consider there are 10 different question types to be familiar with in the Reading component of the exam alone.
Upon completion, your scores are available to view online within 10 days after the test date.
PTE
PTE is a computer based academic test that measures a candidate’s English listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills. The Pearson test is still relatively new but popular since its origination in Australia.
PTE previously 3 hours in duration, is setting its sights in becoming perhaps the simplest of the three exams, thanks to three new implementations being made available from 16th November. Firstly, the duration will be reduced to 2 hours, and whilst the exam format and the different question types won’t change. The quantity of questions will be reduced in some sections of the exam.
Speaking of questions, the PTE is the most diverse with 20 question types, that candidates have to gain familiarity within their preparation. The variety of formats including Multiple Choice Questions and Answers, summary and short essay writing, graph, data and image recognition, and dictation.
It is considered the most transparent exam as it is conducted and rated online by their AI, Artificial Intelligence assessment engine, which continues to improve in its efficiency when it evaluates and compares a candidates answers to its ever increasing database of assessment statistics. As it is 100% computer based there is no human interaction in the test.
There are advantages to be gained by this, as from the 16th of November, there will now be enhanced personalized feedback and test performance advice be provided to candidates when they receive their PTE Academic Score Report.
Finally, the computer based exam available in many centres across many countries will also be available soon as a secure online exam which you can complete in the comfort of your home.
The proficiency level ranges from 10-90, with the latter being that of an expert. Although comparatively with IELTS, TOEFL and CEFR – Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, a higher score of 58 out of 90 would be required to make a dent as passing mark for entry in some institutions. PTE scores are available with five working days from the test date.
So, what are the advantages and disadvantages between the exams… IELTS is generally suited to candidates that have been focusing on British English in their study and preparation. The exam is actually split into two categories; General and Academic, the former being more suitable for immigration purposes. In terms of its components, the Speaking assessment tends to be the better evaluated for skill and expertise from all the exams. Now whilst there has been more emphasis on the online / digital exam, IELTS is often preferred by those who are more capable in a paper exam.
On the other hand, the more traditional approach of facing an exam does have its issues for some candidates. Some have recognised that the face-2-face with a real examiner can be a little daunting and overwhelming. In addition, you need to set aside two days of time for the IELTS exam. Also, the written structure for the Essay writing can be a little difficult to achieve, especially for part 2.
Despite a multi-faceted banding and scoring system. To make significant improvements from one band or level to another, requires a lot of improvement, especially from Band 6 onwards.
So, what of TOEFL? Well whilst being the more established than the others, it is certainly the cheaper of the two other exams, In terms of the exams components, it can said that the speaking assessment is more objective. In addition, compared to the level of difficulties in terms of scoring, the TOEFL has a better scope to scoring high in the exam. Across the Atlantic, our American and Canadian cousins also prefer the TOEFL, for entry and acceptance to their institutions.
Now for immigrations purposes, unfortunately the TOEFL uses the same criteria for General and Academic strands of the exam. The exam format has also proved to be a sticking point, whilst both are available the Paper and the Online exam. In recent times the Online exam is actually favoured.
Timing is everything with TOEFL for two instances, the first one unfortunately is the registration window for the exam which is very short and a little restrictive, you have to register exactly four months before your desired test date. Your test date also needs to be 2-3 months before your earliest deadline. Incidentally, the iBT the internet based exam, can only be taken once in 3 days.
The second instance unfortunately is the length at 4 hours, is the longest of the three exams.
Now on to the new kid on the block Pearson’s PTE, with its innovative AI Artificial Intelligence approach, the entire exam is completed automated. The exam, after recent interventions and updates, can now be completed in the shorted timescale of the 3 exams.
As the AI is managing the infrastructure of the assessment, it is also the fastest of the three exams in announcing and providing the results.
The written component of the exam is also a little simpler compared to the other two, requiring a long form response within 20 minutes for each question.
Now unfortunately, and whilst this is only temporary, the PTE exam is not as widely accepted as the IELTS and the TOEFL.
Although we make take this with a pinch of salt as the AI model is constantly improving with a growing number of exams being assessed in its database. It has been said that the speaking assessment is not as thorough as the other two exams. In addition, with its unique selling point of being 100% completely digital from start to finish, it is also and currently the most expensive of the three exams.
Also, for its complexity, though every exam assesses key skill sets and criteria of the english language. The PTE exam assesses candidates with 20 different question types during the exam. Therefore, students really need to find a balance of language ability and exam technique. Particularly the Listening section, which is evaluates candidates with 8 different question types, the most of any section of the exam.
Ultimately, choosing the right exam to demonstrate your English language proficiency is important. There are so many options, and you want to make sure that the exam that you choose is trusted and recognized. After you find the right exam, you will feel proud of your results—but your English language journey doesn’t end there! The bigger question from this point is how will you show that your English proficiency is progressing every year?