How does PTE compare to TOEFL?

Comparison

PTE vs TOEFL

Both are computer-based with recorded speaking. The differences that matter are scale, results speed and where each is recognised.

Side by side

	PTE Academic	TOEFL iBT
Score scale	10-90	0-120
Speaking	Recorded, integrated with other skills	Recorded, four separate tasks
Strongest recognition	Australia, New Zealand, UK	United States, Canada
Results	Typically within a few days	Typically within about a week

Score scale
PTE Academic
10-90
TOEFL iBT
0-120
Speaking
PTE Academic
Recorded, integrated with other skills
TOEFL iBT
Recorded, four separate tasks
Strongest recognition
PTE Academic
Australia, New Zealand, UK
TOEFL iBT
United States, Canada
Results
PTE Academic
Typically within a few days
TOEFL iBT
Typically within about a week

Format

Both are computer-based with recorded speaking, so the experience is more similar than either is to paper IELTS. TOEFL separates the four skills into distinct sections; PTE integrates them, so one task can feed two skill scores.

Scoring

TOEFL reports 0 to 120 with four 0 to 30 section scores. PTE reports 10 to 90 overall and per skill. The finer PTE scale makes targeting an exact threshold more tractable, but small performance differences also show up as visible score differences.

Where each is recognised

TOEFL has the strongest recognition in the United States. PTE is strongest in Australia and New Zealand and is widely accepted in the UK and Canada. Choose by where you are applying rather than by which test you expect to find easier.

Frequently asked questions

Both are computer-based with recorded speaking. TOEFL iBT scores 0-120 and is most widely recognised in the United States; PTE scores 10-90 with faster results and stronger recognition in Australia and New Zealand. Choose by where you are applying.