IELTS vs PTE Academic: how they differ
IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are both English tests used for study and other applications; which ones an institution or visa route accepts is set by that body, so check first. IELTS Academic has four parts and reports bands 0–9; PTE Academic is a computer-based test in three parts with an overall score from 10 to 90.
IELTS vs PTE Academic at a glance
| IELTS | PTE Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Set by | IELTS (British Council, IDP and Cambridge) | Pearson |
| Parts | Listening: 4 parts, 40 questions, about 30 minutes; Reading: 60 minutes; Writing: 60 minutes; Speaking: 11–14 minutes | Speaking and Writing: 76–84 minutes; Reading: 23–30 minutes; Listening: 31–39 minutes |
| Testing time | 2 hours 45 minutes for Listening, Reading and Writing, plus 11–14 minutes of Speaking | About 2 hours |
| Scoring | Bands 0–9 in half bands for each skill; the overall band is the average, rounded to the nearest half band | Overall 10–90 |
| How it is taken | Computer-delivered, with a “Writing on Paper” option in selected markets. Paper-based IELTS is being withdrawn from mid-2026 (the last paper date in Canada was 7 May 2026). One Skill Retake lets you retake one skill within 60 days. | On computer. |
| Recent changes | Fully paper-based IELTS is being retired; check which delivery your test center offers. | Summarize Group Discussion and Respond to a Situation were added for tests from 7 August 2025. Scoring combines automated scoring with human rating for some responses since the August 2025 update. |
How to decide
Check which tests your institution or visa route accepts, and the score it asks for. If both are accepted, compare the formats: IELTS Academic reports a band for each of four skills, offers One Skill Retake, and in some markets lets you write on paper; PTE Academic is about two hours on computer, combines Speaking and Writing in one part, and reports an overall score from 10 to 90. A timed practice test of each shows which format you handle better.
What differs, and who each may suit
IELTS may suit you if you:
- Have an institution or visa route that asks for IELTS
- Want the option to retake a single skill within 60 days
- Want to handwrite Writing, where Writing on Paper is offered
- Want a separate 0–9 band for each skill
PTE Academic may suit you if you:
- Have an institution or visa route that accepts PTE Academic
- Prefer a test taken entirely on computer
- Want Speaking and Writing in one combined part
- Want a single overall score on a 10–90 scale
Frequently asked questions
- Is PTE Academic easier than IELTS?
- Neither is easier across the board. They differ in parts, delivery and score scale; a timed practice test of each is the quickest way to see which format suits you.
- How is PTE Academic scored now?
- Scoring combines automated scoring with human rating for some responses since the August 2025 update. The overall score runs from 10 to 90.
- Are both accepted for visas?
- Each visa authority and institution sets which tests it accepts and the score it requires. Check the requirement of every route and institution you are applying to.