TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE: The Differences Between the English Proficiency Tests

• The TOEFL iBT is the most widely used English language proficiency exam in the U.S., with over 11,000 universities across the country accepting it.
• The TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and PTE all offer an option to be taken online from home with a virtual proctor.
• No English proficiency test is easier than the other, but they do feature different test sections that may play to or against a test taker’s skills.

There are three English language proficiency exams that MBA and other programs commonly use in the U.S. In the past, the internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS) were the most common. Then, Pearson – one of the most prominent educational companies and publishing houses in the U.S.– launched its own proficiency exam, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE). However, which English proficiency test you choose ultimately depends on your goals and which schools you are applying to. Read on to learn about the differences between the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, and PTE Academic so you can decide which English test is right for you.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:

• What is an English language proficiency test?
• Similarities Between TOEFL, IELTS & PTE
• Differences Between TOEFL, IELTS & PTE
• Should you take TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE?
• TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE Scoring
• English Language Proficiency Test Availability
• Do U.S. universities prefer the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE?

What is an English language proficiency test?

If English is not your first language and you are applying for a job or to study in an English-speaking country, you will likely be required to take a standardized test to show your level of English language proficiency (ELP). These standardized English language proficiency tests – like the TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE – evaluate how well you can combine your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. They measure ELP both in academic and in everyday contexts. Achieving a certain score on these exams is often a requirement for admission to universities, obtaining work visas, or demonstrating language proficiency for immigration purposes.

The three major English proficiency exams used in the United States are the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and PTE. 

• The Internet-Based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT): The TOEFL iBT was developed by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) and focuses on academic English skills. It is the most commonly used academic English test worldwide.
• The International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS): IELTS is managed jointly by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge Assessment English. IELTS is more popular in Australia and Europe than it is in the U.S., but it is still accepted by many American institutions.
• Pearson Test of English, Academic (PTE): The PTE is the newest of the three tests and is developed and administered by Pearson. The PTE is a computer-based test with AI scoring. It is widely accepted in the U.S. for academic purposes. 

Similarities Between TOEFL, IELTS & PTE

Before we discuss the differences between the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and PTE, here are some similarities between these English proficiency tests.

All three exams:

• Test for knowledge of British and American English
• Test abilities in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English
• Have valid scores for only two years after the original release date of your score
• Can be retaken for a chance of earning a higher score 
• Can be taken online from home or at an authorized testing center 
• Are recognized by thousands of schools and institutions in English-speaking countries

Differences Between TOEFL, IELTS & PTE

While there are plenty of similarities between the three exams, the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, and PTE do have some important differences. The table below provides a quick look at the differences between TOEFL iBT vs. IELTS vs. PTE.

	TOEFL iBT	IELTS Academic	PTE Academic
Cost (when taken in the U.S.)	$255 USD	$280-340 USD depending on test location.	$245 USD
Test Duration	2 hours	2 hours and 45 minutes	2 hours (approximate)
Test Format	Computer-based test with four sections – Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking –  completed in one day	Computer or paper-based test. You’ll take the first three parts of the test (Reading, Writing, and Listening) on the same day, but the face-to-face Speaking test will be held either on that same day or seven days before or after that	Computer-based test with three parts completed in one day: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening
Test Location	Authorized test center or on a computer at home, monitored live by a proctor	Authorized test center or IELTS online from home with a proctor; the IELTS Online Speaking test can be conducted via a video call with a certified examiner	Authorized test center or PTE Academic Online from home with a proctor

Should you take the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE?

Deciding between TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, and PTE Academic tests can be daunting, especially if the institution you’re applying to accepts any of the three exams. One crucial factor to consider is your strengths and weaknesses in English, as these will influence your potential score. The differences in what’s tested and how it’s tested on each exam can either play to your strengths or against them, so it’s important to choose wisely. 

Listed below are the main differences between the TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, and PTE Academic exams that students usually find play to or against their strengths.

TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE: Writing Section

Each of the three exams features two writing tasks. Determining which writing section would be slightly easier for you depends on your strengths. The TOEFL iBT requires strong analytical writing skills and is ideal for those who are good at integrating information from different sources. The PTE writing section is considered easier by some test takers because of its shorter writing tasks and typing format, but it might not be ideal if you struggle with summarizing concisely. The IELTS Writing section is best suited to those who are comfortable with descriptive writing and expressing arguments in a structured format. You will also need good handwriting if you are taking the writing section on the paper-based test. 

TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE: Listening Section

The TOEFL listening section is based on a classroom/lecture environment with discussions by teachers and students, whereas the IELTS listening section has more conversation based samples or a speech by one person. Some students find the TOEFL more challenging in this area due to the use of expressions, slang, ideas, etc. in the discussions, which require more concentration. All listening prompts for the TOEFL are spoken in an American accent,while the IELTS includes British, American, and Australian accents.  If the Listening section is a test area you find more challenging, you may find the IELTS less intimidating. The PTE listening section contains eight different types of questions based on audio or video clips and are varied in terms of accents and speeds. For all three tests, you will hear each clip only once, but you are allowed to take notes.

TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE: Reading Section

The reading section in the IELTS and TOEFL bases several questions on each passage given. The main difference is the type of texts used. The IELTS uses a mixture of texts, such as passages from news articles, emails, and advertisements, whereas the TOEFL uses only academic passages, which can use more challenging vocabulary and are often slightly longer. If you are not confident in your reading skills, you may therefore prefer the IELTS exam. The reading section on the PTE contains five different question types, and one item type “Fill in the Blank” also assesses writing skills.

TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE: Speaking Section

A section that most test takers find the most daunting is the speaking section. The TOEFL and PTE speaking sections (just like the rest of the test) are administered on the computer, you will hear a recorded question and then give your response into a microphone, which will then be recorded and submitted for review. The TOEFL speaking section is evaluated by a combination of AI and a human rater, while the PTE speaking section is evaluated entirely by a computer program. The IELTS, however, is conversation based – a live interview with an examiner (conducted either virtually or in-person). The test you decide to take depends on your own preference: would you find a live conversation more natural or would you better remember your preparation without the distraction of another person? The TOEFL exam all takes place on one day, whereas due to the IELTS’ format, the speaking section is usually taken separately either the before or after you take the other sections. Some students prefer this as they can focus their preparation better. However, some prefer to get the whole exam completed in one sitting.

TOEFL vs. IELTS vs. PTE Scoring

All three English proficiency tests are valid and claim to deliver equatable results. However, the three English language proficiency exams are all scored differently and have different score ranges: 

• TOEFL IBT scores range from 0 to 120
• IELTS scores range from 0 to 9
• PTE scores range from 10 to 90

Use the graph below to compare scores on the TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE exams:

 

English Language Proficiency Test Availability

Is the TOEFL iBT, IELTS, or PTE available in your country? Do you plan to take the test in-person at a testing center or online from home? The TOEFL is available in more than 200 countries and territories, whereas the IELTS has over 4000 test locations in 140 countries around the world. The newer PTE has a network of more than 400 test centers in 117 countries. It may also be the case that one test has more convenient test dates available for you, so be sure to do your research to see when and where you can take your ELP exam.

Do U.S. universities prefer the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE?

U.S. universities tend to prefer the TOEFL, with over 11,000 universities that accept it. However, we recommend that you check with the schools you are applying to in order to see which test they accept. Generally, the IELTS is more readily accepted in universities within the UK, although many U.S. universities accept it, too. 

Ultimately, you will need to take the corresponding exam to that which your schools require, although many now accept both. Because not every MBA program accepts all three tests, be sure you take the necessary exam for each program you apply to. This might mean you have to take two of these tests: The IELTS for one program and the TOEFL for another. 

Since the PTE Academic is the newest of the exams, most schools that accept it also accept one of the other two exams. If you are lucky enough to apply to a program that accepts more than one of these exams, you might want to think about which exam suits your testing style best. For example, the Speaking section of each test is very different, and since this language skill is often the most difficult for test-takers to master, you might want to consider which test’s Speaking section is best suited to your strengths.