Are you planning to study abroad and don’t know which test is the best for you? Read this article to choose the best test for you.

IELTS

Introduction

IELTS is an abbreviation of International English Language Testing System. It aims to rate the English of a country willing to migrate or settle in foreign nations where English is used as a native language. To deal with the people and go with the system, the test prevails you to learn basic of English that can make you communicate and function in the nation. The test is comprised of four basic components as listening, speaking, reading and writing which has a scoreboard of 1 to 9. The individual section is marked with the given average score that becomes your ultimate IELTS score which has a validity of two consecutive years after you appear for the exam. It measures your language proficiency and makes you able to deal with the circumstances with overall checking and necessary upgrading. It is available as general training for those who go to the other nation for migration or working experience and academic training for those who are willing to go for a higher academic session or professional registration. The test can be given with the exam centers or a computer-based one from two different service provider as British Council and IDP. Various institutions are providing the classes of four weeks, one for each section with overall guidance to score well as well as materials of preparation. The result is published within 1 day. The cost of a test is NRS. 19500. 

Advantages of IELTS

1. Wide coverage

IELTS certificates are recognized by the universities, companies, institutions as well as government agencies in various nations that can make yourself fit in various standards. 

2. High Weightage 

IELTS test has four distinct sections that show the overall report of your proficiency in English because one can be good at writing but not fluent while speaking. Thus, it evaluates your actual performance form every perspective to be within the native English speakers as you have to read and write as well as listen to what they say and speak with them in English. 

3. Friendly interview section

One should not face a strict and complex interview while having their speaking test as the interview is done on a friendly basis with someone clear to you so that you can understand them. 

4. Balanced assessment in vocabulary 

The test of skills and spoken academic English is done with a balanced assessment of vocabulary that a person is most likely to face in the actual speaking environment. This clearly says that the test prepares you to stay in your desired places. 

5. Familiar writing section

The writing section becomes familiar to you once you approach for the training session for the preparation. The topics can be practiced on your own so that the preparation becomes focussed and determined rather than confusion and filled with complexities or uncertainty. The actual model of answers is available on the internet which makes you easier to deal with it.  

Disadvantages

1. Acceptance varies from the universities

Some of the universities across the United States might not accept the IELTS test as a valid examination. This might not be the criteria in some universities for which pre details needs to be extracted from your destination as it is just a general language test which cannot make you like a native speaker.

2. Complicated listening section

The listening section is complex for those who are not used to listening to native speaker words and knowing what questions are being answered by the speaker. The play is done only once that might not get you fully focus which makes you difficult in the section. 

3. Use of British accent

This might be a benefit in some cases but not every destination demands British accent. The British and American accent is entirely different which takes time to adapt to a new one with the variation in spellings too. 

4. Hectic reading section

The reading session is given with few multiple-choice questions but the varieties of questions including the number of synonyms that makes the examiner pressurized.

5. Surficial rating system

The rating system is not a detailed one in case of IELTS. Band score is given for each section and the average overall score becomes your ultimate IELTS score. 

PTE 

Introduction

PTE is an English testing exam which is a computer-based one introduced to mark the English proficiency of non-native English speakers in a foreign nation. The testing pattern follows four sections like reading, writing, listening and speaking. The speaking section is done on the computer. PTE stands for Pearson Test. The test time is 2 hours45 minutes to 3 hours where the four modules take place within a day. The test is completely computer-based that is categorized as PTE academic or PTE general. The score range is from 10 to 90 which gets published within 5 days of examination. The standard PTE Academic costs rs. 11271 where 18% of goods and service tax is added that sums up the amount as Rs. 13300. The late registration will cost you Rs. 16625.  

Advantages of PTE 

1. PTE is a computerized test which gets familiar for you to appear the test as the diversion by exam coordinator or individuals can be avoided.
2. PTE is comparatively easier which can be a plus point for you to score well.
3. This can be a key for your placement in top universities as good scores will open up for better platforms for you.
4. PTE has a wide acceptance around the world which is recognized by major universities. 
5. PTE is quicker than any other language test and the score reports can be demanded multiple times with no additional fees.
6. Booking for the test can be done ahead of 48 hours. 

Disadvantages of PTE

1. Since PTE is a newer one compared to another test, it is not well recognized in some universities or the test is not yet trusted when compared to others. 
2. There are chances of scoring low due to heavy accent as the test is computer-based.
3. The recordings for PTE Listening can be tough to decipher since they use real lectures in English

TOEFL

Introduction

TOEFL is one of the most widely accepted English language tests just like IELTS. The administration is done by Educational Testing Service (ETS) which is accepted by more than 10000 universities and other institutions in over 150 countries. It is an internet-based test (iBT) as well as a paper-delivered test in cases where the internet-based test isn’t available. It encompasses four major sections like reading, writing, listening and speaking which will cost you USED 180. It takes 4-6 weeks for the score to come out whereas online score can be viewed within 10 days of the test. 

Advantages

1. The fair or straightforward question pattern will make the test easier to score high with no confusions regarding tot questions.
2. There is more of an objective with multiple evaluators comparing notes in the speaking test to ensure a fair score.
3. Universities within USA and Canada prefer TOEFL at the most. 
4. With 4500 test centers around the world, the TOEFL can be said as a very accessible one. 
5. The test is a budgetary one compared to the other tests.

Disadvantages 

1. TOEFL is a tough one for the immigration purpose as it lacks the separate general test system.
2. There is a hurry necessary to get a test reserved as the test dates get filled up very fast.
3. The late registration is charged with an extra fee on a short deadline.
4. Then its time is long compared to other tests as it takes four hours.
5. The individuals will weak computer skills might not be able to score well as the test is completely computer-based. 

Comparison chart

Basis	IELTS	TOEFL	PTE
Test Administration	British Council/ IDP	Educational Testing Service (ETS)	Pearson
Official websites	British CouncilIDP India	https://www.ets.org/toefl	https://pearsonpte.com/
Test Basis	Paper based or computer based whereas face-to face speaking test	Internet-based	Computer-based
Test duration	2 hours 45 minutes	4 hours	3 hours
Test cost	USD 225	USD 180	USD 200
Format or Test section	ListeningReadingWritingSpeaking	ReadingListeningSpeakingWriting	Speaking & WritingReadingListening
Score range	0-9	0-120	10-90
No. of Questions	Listening: 40Reading: 40Writing: 2 tasksSpeaking: 3 tasks	Reading: 36-56Listening: 34-51Speaking: 6 tasksWriting: 2 tasks	Speaking & Writing: 5 tasks for speaking ( upto 40 questions)2 tasks for writing  Reading: 15-20Listening: 18-25
Time allocation (in minutes)	Listening: 30 Reading: 60 Writing: 60 Speaking: 11-14	Reading: 60-80Listening: 60-90Speaking: 20Writing: 50	Speaking & Writing: 40-50 (speaking)30-40 (writing) Reading: 32-41Listening:45-57
Score display	5-7 days for computer based13 days for a paper based test	13 days	Within 5 business days