If you're planning to study, work, or migrate abroad, proving your English proficiency is essential. Two of the most popular tests for this purpose are PTE (Pearson Test of English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System). But which one should you choose?
In this comprehensive guide, we'll break down every aspect of both tests to help you make an informed decision that aligns with your goals, preferences, and strengths.
PTE vs IELTS at a glance
Before diving into the detailed comparison, here's a snapshot of the key differences between PTE and IELTS to help you quickly understand which test might suit your preferences and requirements better.
Test format and structure: Key differences
The fundamental difference between PTE and IELTS lies in their approach to testing English proficiency. PTE Academic employs an integrated skills approach where tasks often combine multiple language abilities simultaneously. For example, you might listen to a lecture and then write a summary, testing both listening and writing. This integration has been deepened in 2025 with new tasks that simulate real-world scenarios, such as listening to a group discussion and speaking a summary, or reading about a problem and then speaking a response.
In contrast, IELTS follows a more traditional compartmentalized structure with four distinct sections that test each skill separately. This difference significantly impacts how you should prepare and what to expect on test day.
PTE Academic structure
PTE Academic is a 2-hour computer-based test with three main sections: Speaking & Writing (54-67 minutes), Reading (29-30 minutes), and Listening (30-43 minutes). The test now includes 22 different question types that assess integrated skills.
Speaking & Writing Section (54-67 minutes):
- Personal Introduction
- Read Aloud
- Repeat Sentence
- Describe Image
- Re-tell Lecture
- Answer Short Question
- Summarise group discussion (New)
- Respond to a situation (New)
- Summarize Written Text
- Essay Writing
Reading Section (29-30 minutes):
- Multiple Choice Single Answer
- Multiple Choice Multiple Answer
- Re-order Paragraphs
- Fill in the Blanks (Dropdown)
- Fill in the Blanks (Drag and Drop)
Listening Section (30-43 minutes):
- Summarize Spoken Text
- Multiple Choice Single Answer
- Multiple Choice Multiple Answer
- Fill in the Blanks
- Highlight Correct Summary
- Select Missing Word
- Highlight Incorrect Words
- Write from Dictation
IELTS Academic structure
IELTS consists of four separate sections: Listening (30 minutes), Reading (60 minutes), Writing (60 minutes), and Speaking (11-14 minutes). You'll take the first three parts on the same day, while the Speaking test may be scheduled on the same day or within seven days before or after.
Listening Section (30 minutes):
- 4 recordings with 40 questions total
- Includes conversations and monologues
- Various question types: multiple choice, matching, form completion
Reading Section (60 minutes):
- 3 long passages with 40 questions
- Academic texts from journals, books, magazines
- Question types: multiple choice, matching, true/false/not given
Writing Section (60 minutes):
- Task 1: Describe visual information (150 words, 20 minutes)
- Task 2: Essay writing (250 words, 40 minutes)
Speaking Section (11-14 minutes):
- Part 1: Introduction and interview (4-5 minutes)
- Part 2: Individual long turn/cue card (3-4 minutes)
- Part 3: Two-way discussion (4-5 minutes)
Scoring systems: Understanding your results
The scoring methodology is one of the most crucial differences between these tests, as it directly affects how your English proficiency is evaluated and reported to institutions.
PTE Scoring
PTE uses a scale from 10 to 90 points, with scores based on communicative skills, enabling skills, and overall performance. The test is AI-led, but a significant 2025 update means it is no longer completely computer-marked. Human experts now double-check the AI's score on more subjective, real-world tasks (like the new question types, essays, and summaries) to ensure maximum fairness and accuracy.
Common PTE Score Requirements:
- Study abroad: 50-65 points minimum
- Immigration: 65+ points typically required
- Professional registration: varies by field
IELTS Scoring
IELTS uses a band score system ranging from 0 to 9, with gaps of 0.5 for each section. Your overall band score is calculated as the average of the four sections. The Reading and Listening sections are computer-marked, but Writing and Speaking sections are evaluated by trained IELTS examiners.
Common IELTS Score Requirements:
- Study abroad: 6.0-7.5 bands minimum
- Immigration: 7.0+ bands typically required
- Professional registration: varies by field
Score conversion chart
| PTE Score | IELTS Band | English Level |
|---|
| 43-49 | 5.0 | Modest User |
| 50-57 | 5.5 | Modest User |
| 58-64 | 6.0 | Competent User |
| 65-72 | 6.5 | Competent User |
| 73-78 | 7.0 | Good User |
| 79-83 | 7.5 | Good User |
| 84-88 | 8.0 | Very Good User |
| 89-90 | 8.5 | Very Good User |
Test experience: What to expect
Understanding the actual test-taking experience can help you choose the format that aligns with your comfort level and testing preferences, ultimately impacting your performance.
PTE test experience
PTE is conducted entirely via computer and assesses speaking, listening, reading, and writing abilities. If you're comfortable with technology, enjoy quick results, and are happy to speak directly into a microphone, PTE could be an easier ride.
Advantages:
- No human interaction reduces anxiety for some test-takers
- Faster results (24-48 hours)
- Consistent AI-led scoring, verified by human experts
- Can book with as little as 48 hours notice
- More flexible test dates and locations
Considerations:
- Requires comfort with computer-based testing
- Speaking into a microphone feels unnatural for some
- New integrated tasks require strong multi-tasking skills
IELTS test experience
IELTS offers both paper-based and computer-delivered formats, with the Speaking test conducted face-to-face with a certified examiner. IELTS will probably be more comfortable if you test well under face-to-face communication and like traditional exam formats.
Advantages:
- Face-to-face speaking feels more natural for many
- Option to choose paper or computer format
- Can ask for clarification during speaking test
- One Skill Retake option available for computer-based tests
- More widely accepted globally
Considerations:
- Longer overall test duration
- Results take 1 day for computer test and 13 days for Paper based test.
- Human evaluation may introduce slight variability
Global acceptance and recognition
When choosing between PTE and IELTS, it's essential to consider which institutions and countries accept each test, as this could significantly impact your study abroad or immigration plans.
PTE Acceptance
PTE is accepted by more than 3000 institutions and over 3,300 universities globally, including academic, professional and governmental organizations in countries such as Australia, Canada, USA, New Zealand and the UK. It's particularly popular in Australia and New Zealand.
IELTS Acceptance
IELTS is accepted by more than 11,500 organizations globally, including all immigration departments that require English language testing for English-speaking countries such as the UK, Australia, Canada and New Zealand. IELTS has a greater acceptance rate by top universities worldwide, with over 11,000 institutes accepting IELTS across 140 countries.
Cost comparison
The test fees vary by country and currency. Here's a comprehensive breakdown for 2025:
Test fees by country/currency
| Country/Region | PTE Academic | IELTS Academic |
|---|
| USA (USD) | $255 | $310 |
| Australia (AUD) | AUD $475 | AUD $460 |
| China (CNY) | $310 USD | ¥2,170 (~$303 USD) |
| India (INR) | ₹18,000 | ₹18,000 |
| UK (GBP) | £200-228 | £162-180 |
| Canada (CAD) | CA $255 | CA $309-319 |
Additional costs
PTE additional fees:
- Late booking fee: $35 USD (other regions)
- Score review: $125 USD
- Rescheduling: Free if done 14+ days before; 50% fee if 7-14 days before
IELTS additional fees:
- No late booking fees
- Rescheduling fee: $75 USD (if done 5+ weeks before)
- Score review (EOR): varies by country
- One Skill Retake: Varies by country (approx. 60-70% of full test fee)
Note: Prices may vary slightly between test centers and are subject to change. Always check official websites for the most current pricing.
Recent updates for 2025
Both testing organizations have introduced significant changes for 2025. PTE has focused on adding new, real-world integrated tasks, while IELTS has introduced a major strategic feature for test-takers.
PTE updates: Two New Integrated Tasks
The most significant update is the addition of two new question types to the Speaking & Writing section, designed to simulate real-world academic and professional scenarios:
Summarise group discussion: You will listen to a 1-2 minute audio recording of a group discussion with multiple speakers (like a university seminar or a team meeting). After the audio, you will have 10 seconds to prepare and then 2 minutes to speak a summary of the main points, conclusions, or disagreements from the discussion. This tests integrated listening and speaking skills.
Respond to a situation: You will read a short text (or listen to an audio) describing a common situation (e.g., a problem at work, a query from a professor, a complaint from a customer). You will have 10 seconds to prepare and then 40 seconds to speak your response as if you were in that situation, using the appropriate tone (formal or informal). This tests integrated reading/listening and practical speaking skills.
Alongside these new tasks, PTE has also moved from AI-only scoring to an "AI + human" review model for these more subjective speaking and writing tasks to increase scoring accuracy.
IELTS updates: The "One Skill Retake" (OSR)
The biggest change for IELTS is the widespread rollout of the One Skill Retake, available for the computer-delivered test. If you take the full IELTS test but do not achieve your target score in one of the four sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, or Speaking), you can now choose to retake just that single section. You must sit the retake within 60 days of your original test. This is a major advantage, saving test-takers time and money by not requiring them to redo the entire 3-hour exam.
Which test is easier?
The question of difficulty is highly subjective and depends on your individual strengths, learning style, and comfort with different testing formats rather than one test being inherently easier than the other.
Choose PTE if you:
- Prefer computer-based tests
- Want faster results
- Are comfortable speaking to a computer
- Like objective, AI-led scoring
- Have strong integrated English skills (e.g., can listen and speak, or read and speak, in response to one problem)
Choose IELTS if you:
- Prefer face-to-face interaction for your speaking test
- Want maximum global acceptance
- Like traditional test formats (focusing on one skill at a time)
- Want the flexibility of the One Skill Retake if you underperform in one area
- Prefer a paper-based option
Preparation strategies
For PTE:
- Practice with AI-based tools and computer simulations
- Focus on integrated tasks, especially the new ones:
- Listen to group discussions (like podcasts) and practice summarizing the main points out loud in 2 minutes.
- Read short problem scenarios and practice giving a timed, 40-second spoken response.
- Work on pronunciation and fluency for computer recognition
- Use the official PTE practice platform
- Take advantage of platforms like LearnPTE.com for comprehensive practice
For IELTS:
- Practice all four skills separately and together
- Work on handwriting for paper-based tests
- Practice speaking with real people
- Focus on task-specific strategies for each section
- Be aware of the One Skill Retake option, but still aim to pass all sections on the first try
- Use official Cambridge IELTS books and materials
Making your decision
Consider these factors when choosing between PTE and IELTS:
- Your target institution's requirements - Check which scores they accept (and if they accept the IELTS One Skill Retake).
- Your comfort with technology - Are you comfortable with computer-based testing?
- Timeline pressure - Do you need results quickly (PTE) or do you have time?
- Speaking preference - Do you prefer face-to-face (IELTS) or computer interaction (PTE)?
- Your strengths - Are you better at isolated skills (IELTS) or integrated, multi-tasking skills (PTE)?
- Retake options - Do you prefer the flexibility of IELTS's One Skill Retake, or would you retake the entire test if needed (PTE)?
Conclusion
Both PTE and IELTS are excellent measures of English proficiency, and both are widely accepted for academic, professional, and immigration purposes. The choice between them will be based on which option best suits your strengths and comfort zone. The material and level of difficulty are similar. What differs is the testing setting, the delivery, and (now, crucially) the retake strategy.
If you're leaning towards PTE, remember that LearnPTE.com offers comprehensive preparation resources including mock tests, practice question banks with feedback to help you achieve your target score.
The most important thing is to choose the test that aligns with your strengths, prepare thoroughly, and approach your chosen test with confidence. Both paths can lead you to your study abroad, work, or immigration goals – the key is selecting the one that feels right for you.
