By AECC Australia on Thursday, 02 November 2017
Category: English Proficiency

English Language Proficiency Test Options: IELTS Vs. PTE Vs. TOEFL Vs. OET Vs. Cae. Which One is Right for You?

Easiest English Language Test for Australian PR

Planning to work and stay in an English-speaking country like Australia! There are English-speaking academic institution who prepares for the English Proficiency Test to prove your ability to understand English language as a non-native English speaker to pursue study or work and gain global exposure.

Different English proficiency tests available for International Students are;

The above list are the widely-accepted standardized English tests measuring proficiency in the English language for non-native English speakers. Some years ago, there was only TOEFL exam in the segment, but now it faces tough competition from the other ones. However, each one of them states that it’s a test of English Language in a universal sense.


Table of Contents:

  1. Different Types of English Proficiency Tests Comparison
  2. English Test Comparative Analysis
  3. PTE, IELTS, OET, CAE and TOEFL Test Practical Considerations

Different Types of English Proficiency Tests Comparison


Established in 1989, the IELTS test is accepted by many academic institutions in the UK, the US, Australia and Canada. The test is managed jointly by the British Council, the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations and IDP Educational. IELTS is the most popular English language proficiency test for higher education and immigration applicants.

Who accepts IELTS?

The IELTS is recognised by a number of government, business, and educational organizations throughout Australia. Some of these organizations are: The Chartered Accountants Australia (CAA), The Institute of Public Accountants (IPA), Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA), Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia (NMBA), Department of Home Affairs (DHA) etc.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the second major English language proficiency test which is geared towards candidates applying for English-speaking academic institutions. TOEFL is administered by the ETS (Educational Testing Service).

Who accepts TOEFL?

The Australian Health Practitioner Registration Agency (AHPRA), CPA Australia and Institute of Public Accountants (IPA) accept TOEFL scores as an evidence of the English language proficiency required for initial registration. The Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA) recognizes TOEFL score to meet the English language competency element of the Migration Skills Assessment for both the Welfare Worker and Welfare Center Manager.

Engineers Australia and the Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (AVBC) also accept TOEFL to meet the English language competency element of the Migration Skills Assessment.

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Designed in the late 1980s, the Occupational English Test is an international English language proficiency test for the healthcare sector. The OET tests the language communication skills of health professionals who want to register and practice in an English-speaking environment.

Who accepts OET?

OET is recognised by the DHA (Australian Department of Home Affairs) for various visa categories, primarily including student and work visa. Various Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) Boards accept OET as a proof of English language proficiency for registration purposes.

Cambridge English is backed by teaching and research from Cambridge University and is aligned with the CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) for an international standard for describing language ability.

Who accepts CAE?

The Cambridge English: DHA accepts the Advanced test for Students, Temporary Graduates, Former Resident, Skilled, Work and Holiday Visa programs.

The Pearson Test of English is a computer-based English language of proficiency test aimed at non-native speakers of English looking to study abroad. It tests writing, reading, listening and speaking.

Who accepts PTE?

The PTE is accepted as an evidence of English-language proficiency by most of the government, educational, and business organizations in Australia.

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English Test Comparative Analysis



Test Validity Fees Test Dates Centers Result Types of Test Qualifying Marks Modules Tested
IELTS 2 Years AUD 330 Every Week IDP & British Council i.e. 2 Centers Within two weeks after the exam date Paper Based Test 6.5 Bands Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening
TOEFL 2 Years USD 300 Every Week Many Available after the ten days of the exam Internet-Based Test 73-Bachelor’s
79- Master’s
Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening
PTE 2 Years AUD 330 Metros-6 days/month, Other Cities-4 days/month Pearson VUE’s Test Centers Within five working days of the test Computer Based Test 51 Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening
OET 2 Years AUD 587- to sit all four sub-tests Seven Times in a Year (Jan, Mar, May, June, Aug, Oct, and Nov) Many Within 16 business days after the exam date Paper Based Test At least B- Grade in each of the four subjects Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening
Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) Doesn’t have an expiration date AUD
330
Every Month Many Within 4 to 6 weeks (Paper-based), and within 2 to 3 weeks (Computer-based) Computer or Paper-Based 180-210 Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking

PTE, IELTS, OET, CAE and TOEFL Test Practical Considerations


To know about which test’s length, format and content are best for you is important, but there arise some more practical questions when it comes to choosing between all these tests.

Before deciding which test to take, you need to seek the answers to two important questions:

If all these tests are available in your area and recognised by the institutions you have targeted, it is time to know about the differences between the tests themselves. Here are key elements to consider:

Length of Each Test

How is each One Scored?

The IELTS, OET, CAE and TOEFL use human scorers, whereas the PTE uses automated scoring with no human raters.

Some students may prefer a real person test and interpret their responses, while others feel comfortable with minimum subjective automatic scoring.

The speaking section of the IELTS includes an actual face-to-face conversation with a test proctor. Depending on your choice that can either be a more stressful experience or a more natural one than a computer-based test.

Difference of Content

All three tests measure a student’s speaking, listening, reading, and writing ability, but they do it in different ways.

English Language Exam Cost

The specific cost of each test varies by location, but in Australia;

English Test Score Results

When it comes to results;

More Resources:

TOEFL Voucher Australia


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