By Thanh Tran, PTE and IELTS coach
Updated
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Neither test is easier
For Australian visas, the two tests now ask for the same level of English. The format is different, and that decides which one is easier for you.
- Who marks it
- PTE Academic: A computer, with some human checksIELTS Academic: Examiners, for writing and speaking
- How you speak
- PTE Academic: Into a microphone, on a timerIELTS Academic: With an examiner, for 11 to 14 minutes
- How long it takes
- PTE Academic: 2 hours 10 minutes to about 2 and a half hoursIELTS Academic: 2 hours 45 minutes
- Results
- PTE Academic: Usually within 2 daysIELTS Academic: Usually within 1 to 2 days
- Score scale
- PTE Academic: 10 to 90IELTS Academic: Bands 0 to 9
Since 7 August 2025, each PTE minimum for a visa comes from Pearson's study of 1,522 people who took both tests. So for a visa, neither test is the easier route to the same level.
PTE and IELTS compared
PTE Academic and IELTS Academic compared, from Pearson, IELTS and IDP, reviewed September 2026
Who marks it
- PTE Academic
- Computer scoring, with a human expert checking some answers
- IELTS Academic
- Listening and reading are marked right or wrong. IELTS examiners mark writing and speaking.
Speaking
- PTE Academic
- You speak into a microphone. Each answer is recorded once, on a timer.
- IELTS Academic
- A face-to-face talk with an examiner, 11 to 14 minutes. Some centres use a video call.
Length
- PTE Academic
- 2 hours 10 minutes to about 2 and a half hours, in three parts, with no break
- IELTS Academic
- 2 hours 45 minutes
Format
- PTE Academic
- Everything on a computer at a test centre
- IELTS Academic
- Listening, reading and writing on a computer at a test centre. Some test centres in Australia let you handwrite the writing test.
Results
- PTE Academic
- Usually within 2 days
- IELTS Academic
- Usually within 1 to 2 days
Score scale
- PTE Academic
- 10 to 90, overall and for each skill
- IELTS Academic
- Bands 0 to 9 in whole and half bands, overall and for each skill
Valid for
- PTE Academic
- 2 years from the test date
- IELTS Academic
- 2 years, as IELTS recommends
Valid for Australian visas
- PTE Academic
- 3 years
- IELTS Academic
- 3 years
Retake one skill
- PTE Academic
- No, you take the whole test again
- IELTS Academic
- Yes, within 60 days, with IELTS One Skill Retake
Australian visas
- PTE Academic
- Accepted at every English level
- IELTS Academic
- Accepted at every English level
Australian universities
- PTE Academic
- Every one accepts it, Pearson says
- IELTS Academic
- Accepted for undergraduate and postgraduate study, IELTS says
| PTE Academic | IELTS Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Who marks it | Computer scoring, with a human expert checking some answers | Listening and reading are marked right or wrong. IELTS examiners mark writing and speaking. |
| Speaking | You speak into a microphone. Each answer is recorded once, on a timer. | A face-to-face talk with an examiner, 11 to 14 minutes. Some centres use a video call. |
| Length | 2 hours 10 minutes to about 2 and a half hours, in three parts, with no break | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Format | Everything on a computer at a test centre | Listening, reading and writing on a computer at a test centre. Some test centres in Australia let you handwrite the writing test. |
| Results | Usually within 2 days | Usually within 1 to 2 days |
| Score scale | 10 to 90, overall and for each skill | Bands 0 to 9 in whole and half bands, overall and for each skill |
| Valid for | 2 years from the test date | 2 years, as IELTS recommends |
| Valid for Australian visas | 3 years | 3 years |
| Retake one skill | No, you take the whole test again | Yes, within 60 days, with IELTS One Skill Retake |
| Australian visas | Accepted at every English level | Accepted at every English level |
| Australian universities | Every one accepts it, Pearson says | Accepted for undergraduate and postgraduate study, IELTS says |
Who PTE suits
PTE suits you if you're calm with a computer and a timer. It's harder if you pause often, restart sentences or go quiet when the microphone opens, because Pearson's fluency score counts hesitations, repetitions and false starts.
- You feel nervous talking to an examiner. In PTE you speak to a computer, not a person.
- You speak smoothly and at an even pace. Pearson scores fluency and pronunciation on six of the seven speaking question types.
- You like many short questions. PTE has 65 to 75 questions across 22 question types.
- You type well. Every written answer in PTE is typed.
Who IELTS suits
IELTS suits you if you do better in a real conversation. It's harder if talking to an examiner makes you nervous, or if long reading texts slow you down.
- You like talking to a person. The examiner can repeat or explain a question, and won't stop you if you take a moment to start.
- You write better by hand. Some test centres in Australia let you handwrite the writing test.
- One skill might be a little below the score you need. With IELTS One Skill Retake, you can retake only that skill within 60 days. Home Affairs accepts it for eligible visas, so check the page for your visa.
- You prefer a few long tasks. IELTS writing is two tasks in 60 minutes, and reading is three long texts.
Scores side by side
IELTS 7 overall matches PTE 63 to 70 overall, according to Pearson's 2025 study. For a visa, each skill counts separately, and the PTE score is different for each skill.
Speaking and writing need the highest PTE scores. Check those two first when you compare.
IELTS and PTE scores for each Australian visa English level, for PTE tests taken from 7 August 2025
Competent
- IELTS, each skill
- 6
- PTE, tests from 7 August 2025
- Listening 47, reading 48, writing 51, speaking 54
- Points
- 0
Proficient
- IELTS, each skill
- 7
- PTE, tests from 7 August 2025
- Listening 58, reading 59, writing 69, speaking 76
- Points
- 10
Superior
- IELTS, each skill
- 8
- PTE, tests from 7 August 2025
- Listening 69, reading 70, writing 85, speaking 88
- Points
- 20
| Visa English level | IELTS, each skill | PTE, tests from 7 August 2025 | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| Competent | 6 | Listening 47, reading 48, writing 51, speaking 54 | 0 |
| Proficient | 7 | Listening 58, reading 59, writing 69, speaking 76 | 10 |
| Superior | 8 | Listening 69, reading 70, writing 85, speaking 88 | 20 |
- PTE score chart
Every visa level, and the older scores for tests taken before the change.
Convert your own scores
Change IELTS bands to PTE scores, or PTE scores to IELTS bands, for your overall score and each skill.
Try one test of each
The quickest way to decide is to try both formats before you pay for either. Then compare your scores and where you lost marks.
- Take the free IELTS Listening test. It's a full paper of 40 questions.
- Try free PTE practice on the question types that worry you, such as Repeat Sentence. It counts towards both speaking and listening.
- Put both results on the same scale with the converter.
- Book the test where your weakest skill scored higher and you felt calmer.
- Free IELTS Listening test
Four recordings and 40 questions, about 30 minutes.
- Free PTE practice
Free questions in 19 of the 22 question types.
