PTE Academic versus other tests

Of course, there are multiple English test out there. But why would you choose for the PTE Academic?

Well, we collected a couple very good reasons for you. Did you know that PTE Academic is the fastest when it comes to booking time and in delivering your result? And how about the fact that scores are assessed by Artificial Intelligence rather than a human? That gives you the assurance that you are being treated absolutely fair and honest.

There are many more reasons why to choose for PTE Academic, which we have compiled in the following list:

Booking a test
Booking & Registration
PTE Academic
Register and pay online up to 24 hours in advance.*
IELTS
Online or in person. Many centers close registration some time before the test.
TOEFL iBT
Registration online, by mail or by phone up to 4 days prior to test date.
Test availability
PTE Academic
Up to 365 test days each year globally
IELTS
Fixed test sessions per year. Computer based IELTS more frequent where available.
TOEFL iBT
Offered more than 50 times a year globally.
Locations
PTE Academic
Over 380 test centers worldwide.
IELTS
Multiple locations worldwide.
TOEFL iBT
Multiple locations worldwide.
The test
Duration
PTE Academic
Single 3 hour session (optional 10 minute break).
IELTS
Around 3 hours and can be delivered in 2 sessions over different days in some locations.
TOEFL iBT
Test totals 4 hours (with a mandatory 10 minute break).
Format
PTE Academic
Test comprises 3 parts:
  • Speaking and writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
IELTS
Test comprises 4 parts:
  • Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Speaking
TOEFL iBT
Test comprises 4 parts:
  • Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Speaking
Delivery
PTE Academic
Computer based and 100% computer marked.
IELTS
Paper based test and Computer based with interviews marked by examiners.
TOEFL iBT
Administered on a computer. Both automated and human scoring.
The test
Results Available
PTE Academic
5 business days or less (typically).
IELTS
Online or in person. Many centers close registration some time before the test.
TOEFL iBT
10 days (approximately).
Accessing & submitting results
PTE Academic
Unlimited number of institutions free. Results are available online.
IELTS
Up to 5 institutions for free, then an additional fee applies.
TOEFL iBT
Up to 4 score assignments before test session. Fees apply for additional reports.
Score Comparison
PTE Academic
Scored on a scale from 10 - 90 with an extremely accurate and consistent results.
IELTS
Scored on a 9 point band scale.
TOEFL iBT
Scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points with each section receiving a score from 0 to 30.
 
PTE Academic
IELTS
TOEFL iBT
Booking a test
Booking & Registration
Register and pay online up to 24 hours in advance.*
Online or in person. Many centers close registration some time before the test.
Registration online, by mail or by phone up to 4 days prior to test date.
Test availability
Up to 365 test days each year globally
Fixed test sessions per year. Computer based IELTS more frequent where available.
Offered more than 50 times a year globally.
Locations
Over 380 test centers worldwide.
Multiple locations worldwide.
Multiple locations worldwide.
 
The test
Duration
Single 3 hour session (optional 10 minute break).
Around 3 hours and can be delivered in 2 sessions over different days in some locations.
Test totals 4 hours (with a mandatory 10 minute break).
Format
Test comprises 3 parts:
  • Speaking and writing
  • Reading
  • Listening
Test comprises 4 parts:
  • Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Speaking
Test comprises 4 parts:
  • Listening
  • Writing
  • Reading
  • Speaking
Delivery
Computer based and 100% computer marked.
Paper based test and Computer based with interviews marked by examiners.
Administered on a computer. Both automated and human scoring.
 
The test
Results Available
5 business days or less (typically).
Paper test: 13 days 4 Computer test: 5-7 days.
10 days (approximately).
Accessing & submitting results
Unlimited number of institutions free. Results are available online.
Up to 5 institutions for free, then an additional fee applies.
Up to 4 score assignments before test session. Fees apply for additional reports.
Score Comparison
Scored on a scale from 10 - 90 with an extremely accurate and consistent results.
Scored on a 9 point band scale.
Scored on a scale of 0 to 120 points with each section receiving a score from 0 to 30.

Of course, there are many other tests out there like Duolingo English Test (DET), TOEIC, EF test Cambridge English Language Assessment, etc. But none of them have the unique characteristics that PTE academic has. The speed and ease of booking combined with unbiased scoring makes PTE Academic stand out of all English tests.

Test your English language proficiency

Book a PTE Academic test