Preparing students for IELTS and

PTE Academic: A comparison

Fiona Aish and Jo Tomlinson
Target English

Overview of Tests
IELTS Academic

PTE Academic

3 hours (approx)

3 hours (approx)

4 parts: listening, reading speaking,

writing

3 parts: speaking and writing, reading

listening

Two sessions

One session

Paper-based

Computer-based

Examiner graded

Computer graded

Results in 2 weeks

Results in 5 days

Paper certification

Online certification

Not randomised

Randomised

Test Structure
IELTS

PTE Academic

1. Listening
30 minutes + 10 minutes, 4 recordings
40 questions

1. Speaking and Writing

77-93 minutes, multiple recordings
approx 40 questions

2. Reading
60 minutes, 3 texts
40 questions

2. Reading
32-41 minutes, 1 text per question
approx 18 questions

3. Writing
60 minutes
2 tasks

3. Listening
45-57 minutes, 1 listening per question
approx 20 questions

4. Speaking
11-14 minutes
3 parts

Test Similarities and Differences

All the papers are very different.
Academic English functions:
- paraphrasing, summarising, note-taking, writing, presenting information,
reading complex texts, skimming and scanning

Question type similarities:

- essay writing task 2 writing/ write essay
- processing and describing visual information
writing task 1/ describe image
- listening and reading for main ideas/ detail
multiple choice,
sentence or summary completion/ fill in the blanks
T F NG/ multiple choice, multiple answers

Test Similarities and Differences

Question type differences:

- reorder paragraphs, summaries, dictation, reading aloud etc are PTE

specific
- table/form completions, labelling a diagram, matching headings etc are
IELTS specific

Speaking:

IELTS is based on an interactive format, whereas PTE Academic involves

short spoken responses

Time and test management:

IELTS has set times for each paper, and candidates can move
forwards/backwards. PTE has section timing and candidates can only
move forwards.

Number of birds, butterflies and insects in UK city gardens

5
4.5
4

3.5
3
2.5

Birds
Butterflies

Insects

1.5
1
0.5

0
1980s

1990s

2000s

Source: Aish and Tomlinson (2012) Collins Grammar for IELTS HarperCollins: London, p.32

2010s

Preparation Overlaps
Visual material can be used for both tests, exploiting
different skills.
Some question types can be adapted for both exams.
Academic lectures can be used for IELTS practice and PTE
practice.
There is a marking criteria overlap which needs to be
addressed at a systems level, e.g. pronunciation, spelling
and grammar

Teacher Preparation Challenges

Main preparation challenges:
1. Teacher test knowledge
2. Teacher language knowledge
3. Materials available

Preparation - PTE
When this bank was founded in 1695, Scots coinage
was in short supply and of uncertain value, compared
with English, Dutch, Flemish or French coin.

What is this?

To face growth of trade it was deemed necessary to

remedy this lack of an adequate currency.

What is it?

The rst Scottish bank to do this was the Bank of

Scotland.

What is this?

In most countries it is only the government, through

their central banks, who are permitted to issue
currency.
But in Scotland three banks are still allowed to issue
banknotes.

What is it?

What is but?

Source: http://www.pearsonpte.com/TestMe/Preparing/Documents/10_Re-order_paragraphs_PTEA_Strategies.pdf

Preparation PTE
Adapt EAP materials
e.g. Highlight correct summary
Read the text aloud

Choose the
summary
Focus on the
features

Academic Connections 3 P.76 ex 1 & 2, Williams and Hill (2010) Pearson Longman: New York

Course Considerations
o Timetable: number of hours per week & homework
o Teacher preparation time: mix of published and own materials
o Technology: for PTE Academic it may be important to offer students blended
learning solutions
o Test practice: IELTS practice material is readily available. PTE Academic has limited
items at the moment
o Teacher and student test knowledge: time needed to develop
o Language Ability: difficulty varies within items
o Academic Awareness: students understanding of university skills & relationship to
both tests
o Student motivation: self motivation or extrinsic motivation

Thank you!
Ask your questions now or alternatively contact us:
jo@target-english.co.uk
fiona@target-english.co.uk
Target English is an English language consultancy
specialising in academic and exam support for
students and learning providers. Find us:
fiandjo

www.target-english.co.uk