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IELTS & TOEFL

IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE: Know the Difference

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

The IELTS is one of the most recognized English proficiency tests worldwide. It measures skills in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, each graded on a 0–9 band scale. The overall score is the average of the four section scores. IELTS is accepted by universities, employers, and immigration authorities globally, and is often considered the most challenging of the three major exams.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)

The TOEFL is the longest-running standardized English language test and is accepted internationally. It also assesses Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking, with each section scored between 0 and 30, for a total score out of 120. A score above 100 is generally viewed as strong. While slightly more demanding than IELTS for some test-takers, it remains a top choice for students applying to institutions in the U.S. and other countries.

Pearson Test of English (PTE)

The PTE evaluates the same four skill areas as IELTS and TOEFL but uses a 10–90 scoring scale. Scores above 76 are typically considered excellent. Many candidates find the PTE more straightforward compared to the other two exams, making it a popular option for those seeking faster results with computer-based testing.

Basis	IELTS	TOEFL	PTE
Ease	Easier	Easy	Easiest
Cost	15,500 INR	14,242.11 INR	13,300 INR
Medium	Paper and Computer	Computer	Computer
Assessed by	Human or Computer	Human AND computer	Computer
Sections	Four	Four	Four
Scores	0.0-9.0In halves	0-30	10-90In decimals
Good Score	6.5+	100/120+	75/90+
Ideal for	UK, USA, Canada, etc.	Students and visas	Students running late with their English test
English System Used	British or American	British and American	British and American
Question Types	MCQs, yes/no, true/false, matching headlines, features, information, essay writing	Factual information, negative facts, vocabulary, sentence formation, essay writing	20 different types including essay writing and MCQs
Duration	2 hours and 45 minutes	3 hours	2 hours and 15 minutes
Results validity	2 years	2 years	2 years
Attempts	Unlimited	UnlimitedOnce every 3 days	UnlimitedOnce every 5 days
Accepted by	Internationally by most countries and institutions	Internationally, more preference by American schools	Internationally, but less than the other two (70 countries globally)