PTE Academic vs PTE General: PTE Academic and PTE General are two different English language proficiency exams offered by Pearson. Here are some key differences between the two:
1. Purpose: PTE Academic is designed for academic purposes and is primarily used for university or college admissions, as well as for immigration and visa purposes. It assesses the English language skills needed for academic settings, such as listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills in an academic context. On the other hand, PTE General is a more general English language proficiency test that assesses overall English language skills for everyday use in social, professional, and educational contexts.
2. Test Format: PTE Academic is a computer-based test that is entirely computerized, with no human assessors involved in the scoring process. It consists of four sections: speaking, writing, reading, and listening, and is completed on a computer in a secure test environment. PTE General, on the other hand, is a paper-based test that is administered in a traditional pen-and-paper format. It has six levels, with different test formats and tasks for each level.
3. Scoring: PTE Academic is scored on a scale of 10-90, with increments of 1 point, and uses an automated scoring system that assesses responses based on predefined criteria. PTE General, on the other hand, is scored on a scale of A1 (the lowest) to C2 (the highest), following the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
4. Test Content: While there may be some overlapping skills assessed in both tests, the content and focus of PTE Academic and PTE General differ. PTE Academic focuses on testing academic language skills, including academic vocabulary, listening to lectures and taking notes, summarizing written text, and writing essays in an academic style. PTE General, on the other hand, assesses more general language skills, including listening to conversations, writing formal letters, summarizing information, and expressing opinions.
5. Test Validity: PTE Academic scores are generally accepted by universities and immigration authorities around the world as evidence of English language proficiency for academic and immigration purposes. PTE General scores are more commonly used for employment and career purposes, as well as for general language proficiency assessment.
It’s important to understand the specific requirements of your intended purpose for taking an English language proficiency test and choose the appropriate test accordingly. Consider factors such as the purpose of the test, the test format, scoring system, test content, and validity of scores to make an informed decision between PTE Academic and PTE General.