IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE vs. Duolingo: Which is the greatest English language test for studying abroad?
Let’s say you wish to study abroad but don’t speak English fluently. In such situation, you’ll almost certainly need to pass a language exam in order to be accepted into an international university that offers English-taught degrees.
The answer depends on a variety of factors, including which test/exam is accepted by the university where you want to apply, which exam centres are close by, and how much you’re willing to pay.
If it appears to be baffling, don’t be frightened. In this post, we’ll compare three of the most popular English language tests:
- TOEFL® iBT
- PTE Academic
- IELTS Academic
Before we get started, here are a few major universities that accept the above-mentioned English language tests:
- Columbia University in New York City,
- Tilburg University is located in the Netherlands.
- Belgium’s KU Leuven
English language tests have a certain structure.
Academic IELTS
The Academic element of the IELTS exam is broken into four parts:
You are currently listening for 30 minutes- You’ll hear four native speakers on four different recordings. Following that, you’ll have to answer 40 questions.
60 minutes of academic reading- You will be required to read three texts and then respond to 40 questions.
Academic writing takes 60 minutes- You must fulfil two assignments. For the first one, you must write your own description of a graph, table, chart, or other visual information. You must write an essay in response to the point of view, problem, or argument in the second one. For both duties, you must register in a proper manner.
You have 11-14 minutes to speak- There are three parts: you will tell the examiner about yourself; you will describe or express your opinion on a specific issue; and you will conclude by discussing more abstract thoughts or notions.
TOEFL® iBT
The TOEFL® iBT exam is divided into four parts:
Reading time is between 54 and 72 minutes- You’ll read three or four scholarly passages. After that, you’ll have to respond to 30-40 questions.
41-57 minutes are currently being listened to- You’ll be asked to listen to four recordings of native speakers before answering 28-39 questions.
You have 17 minutes to speak- You must express your thoughts on a common topic and respond to questions based on reading and listening exercises.
50 minutes of writing- You’ll have to write essay responses and provide evidence to back up your claims.
Academic PTE
The PTE Academic, often known as the Pearson Test of English, is divided into three sections:
Speaking and writing time ranges from 54 to 67 minutes- You’ll have to do things like introduce oneself, read aloud, describe a visual, summarise a text, and write an essay, among other things.
Time to read: 29–30 minutes- You’ll have to fill in the blanks, answer multiple-choice questions, and rearrange paragraphs among other things.
30–43 minutes are currently being listened to- After listening to or watching audio or video samples, you’ll have to answer a series of questions.
What are the durations of the IELTS, TOEFL®, and PTE tests?
Academic IELTS: 2 hours and 45 minutes
3 hours TOEFL® iBT
Academic PTE: 2 hours
What is the cost of each language test?
IELTS Academic prices are established in your local currency, thus they differ based on the country and test centre where you take the exam:
- It costs between 215 and 240 dollars in the United States.
- In the UK, 162–180 GBP (210–234 USD)
- The currency rate in Norway is between 2,950 and 3,000 NOK (331 and 337 USD).
- In Germany, 229 (255 USD)
- In Australia, 340 AUD (236 USD)
The price of the TOEFL® varies depending on the country:
- 205 USD in the United States
- 210 USD in the United Kingdom
- In Norway, 290 USD
- In Germany, 255 USD
- In Australia, 300 dollars
PTE Academic costs differ depending on which country you take the test in:
- In the United States, 200 dollars
- In the United Kingdom, 155 GBP (201 USD)
- In Spain, 255 USD
- In Germany, 231 USD
- In Australia, 357 AUD (246 USD)
The pricing and nations indicated above are just examples; the exams are available in a variety of additional countries and test centres across the world.
Is this a British or American English exam?
You can choose either British or American English when taking IELTS Academic, TOEFL® iBT, or PTE Academic.
What countries accept English language tests?
All three English language examinations are accepted and recognised by tens of thousands of organisations around the world:
- In over 140 countries, IELTS is accepted by over 10,000 institutions. IELTS is notably popular in the United Kingdom, Australia, Ireland, and South Africa.
- More than 11,500 institutions and other organisations in over 160 countries accept TOEFL®. TOEFL® is commonly used by universities in the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, France, and Germany.
- PTE Academic is accepted by tens of thousands of universities across the globe. It is fashionable in Australia, New Zealand, and Ireland.
What is the difficulty level of IELTS, TOEFL®, and PTE?
It’s tough to say which English proficiency exam is the most difficult. However, using the free resources provided by IELTS, TOEFL®, and PTE on their websites is a simple approach to assess your present English ability.
It’s important to remember that how you study for a test is more important than how difficult it is or what others have to say about it. These examinations aren’t meant to be hurdles; rather, they’re a chance to show that you have the English skills needed to live and study in another country.
How much time do you think you should devote to studying for the exam?
It is highly depending on your existing English proficiency. Some pupils have advanced English skills, and the test is merely a means of obtaining official certification.
Exam preparation can be done online.
On the official IELTS, TOEFL®, and PTE websites, you can discover free practise materials. Make sure you work on the Academic Reading and Academic Writing sections if you’re going to use the IELTS materials available online.
Learning tools that are useful
There are a number of different ways to study for your English proficiency exam. If you’re still in high school or university, ask your lecturer if they have any books or materials that can assist you.
To prepare for the Reading portion, what should you do?
During the Reading phase, you may be asked challenging questions. They’ll see how well you comprehend the content and if you can pick up on topics that are implied but not explicitly stated.
What should you do to prepare for the section on listening?
To strengthen your listening skills, start watching online videos and movies without subtitles. It may be difficult at first, but with practise, it will become much simpler. You’ll be astounded by how quickly you advance.
