Is PTE easier than IELTS?
Neither is easier on paper: Home Affairs sets a required level in each test. IELTS Australia says neither test is easier, though it adds that IELTS “has an easier exam structure”, which is an IELTS provider's view. Pearson's own comparison describes format differences without ranking the tests. What differs is the way you are tested: PTE is one computer sitting, and Pearson says its speaking is scored by an automated system with some responses reviewed by people. IELTS speaking is a conversation with an examiner.
What actually differs
Each point is attributed, because the test owners do not agree on the framing.
How PTE and IELTS scores line up
Home Affairs sets a PTE minimum and an IELTS minimum for each level. The numbers are on different scales, so Pearson's concordance study is the bridge.
| IELTS band | PTE overall | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.5 | 86-89 | 75-80 | 75-80 | 90 | 90 |
| 8.0 | 79-85 | 69-74 | 70-74 | 88-89 | 85-89 |
| 7.5 | 71-78 | 64-68 | 65-69 | 83-87 | 77-84 |
| 7.0 | 63-70 | 58-63 | 59-64 | 76-82 | 69-76 |
| 6.5 | 55-62 | 53-57 | 54-58 | 66-75 | 60-68 |
| 6.0 | 47-54 | 47-52 | 48-53 | 54-65 | 51-59 |
| 5.5 | 39-46 | 40-46 | 42-47 | 39-53 | 41-50 |
In 2024, Pearson carried out a concordance study between the updated PTE Academic and IELTS Academic test. This study follows all established best practice criteria and is based on a large, representative sample of 1,522 test takers (summary published July 2025).
IELTS Australia's own page says: PTE made changes to the way its scores are linked to IELTS. Compared to IELTS, it is more difficult to get a higher score with PTE. Pearson says its updated overall values “remain consistent with those found in the two previous Pearson concordance studies between PTE Academic and IELTS Academic”. Compare both before you decide.
Do you need a higher PTE score than IELTS?
Home Affairs' PTE minimums, set against Pearson's concordance ranges.
| Home Affairs level | Home Affairs PTE minimum | Bottom of Pearson's range for that IELTS band |
|---|---|---|
| Competent (IELTS 6.0) | L 47 · R 48 · W 51 · S 54 | L 47 · R 48 · W 51 · S 54 |
| Proficient (IELTS 7.0) | L 58 · R 59 · W 69 · S 76 | L 58 · R 59 · W 69 · S 76 |
| Superior (IELTS 8.0) | L 69 · R 70 · W 85 · S 88 | L 69 · R 70 · W 85 · S 88 |
For Competent, Proficient and Superior English the Home Affairs PTE minimum in each skill equals the bottom of Pearson's concordance range for IELTS 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 respectively. That is a comparison we made from two published tables, not a claim by Home Affairs or Pearson.
How to choose
None of this is a promise about your score. It is a way to match the test to you.
- If speaking into a microphone with other people around you sounds stressful, IELTS gives you an examiner in a private room, per IELTS Australia. If an examiner would make you more nervous, PTE does not have one.
- Pearson's 2021 article says PTE is a single computer test and that IELTS speaking can be on a different day. Check current booking details with each provider.
- If you suspect one skill will let you down, IELTS One Skill Retake exists. Whether your visa accepts it is on the visa page: Home Affairs says “One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page.”
- IELTS Australia says PTE questions are individually timed and you only move forward, while IELTS on computer lets you skip and come back. Which feels better is personal.
- Always check which tests your visa lists. The accepted tests page has the Home Affairs list.
Common questions
IELTS Australia: “So, neither of the tests is easier than the other.” It then adds that IELTS “has an easier exam structure”, which is its own view. Pearson's comparison article describes the format differences and does not rank the tests. Home Affairs asks for a set level in each test.
Better depends on the visa and on you. Both are on the Home Affairs list. PTE is one computer sitting. IELTS has a face-to-face speaking test and a One Skill Retake option that your visa may or may not accept.
They are different. IELTS Australia: Another key difference is the Speaking test. With IELTS, you do a speaking exam face-to-face with a real human examiner in a private testing room. The PTE-A test requires you to speak into a microphone with others doing the same around you in the same testing room.
Not on Home Affairs' tables: its PTE minimums for Competent, Proficient and Superior English match the bottom of Pearson's concordance range for IELTS 6.0, 7.0 and 8.0 in each skill. That comparison is ours, from two published tables.
IELTS Australia says IELTS has a One Skill Retake and PTE does not. Home Affairs: “One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page.” Pearson's retake policy lets you retake the whole test.