PTE vs IELTS
Both are accepted for Australian visas, and Home Affairs sets a separate minimum for each, so the better test is the one where your scores clear the line for your visa. PTE Academic results come typically within 48 hours and speaking is recorded by computer. IELTS speaking is a face-to-face interview, and IELTS has a One Skill Retake for eligible visas. For Canada, IRCC asks for IELTS General Training or PTE Core, not the Academic versions.
Side by side
Where a cell names IELTS Australia, the claim comes from its own comparison page.
| Item | PTE | IELTS |
|---|---|---|
| Fee in Australia | AUD 499Pearson | AUD 490IELTS Australia |
| Results | Typically within 48 hoursPearson | Typically in 1 day on computerIELTS Australia |
| Speaking | Recorded through a computer microphoneIELTS Australia | Face-to-face interview with a trained examinerIELTS Australia |
| Retake one skill | No, retake the entire testIELTS Australia | Yes, One Skill RetakeIELTS Australia |
| Temporary Graduate (485) overall | 55 | 6.5 Academic |
| 485, each skill | 39–42 | 5.5 |
| Competent English, each skill | 47–54 | 6 |
| Proficient English, each skill | 58–76 | 7 |
| Superior English, each skill | 69–88 | 8 |
| Canadian PR (Express Entry) | PTE Core | IELTS General Training |
How the scores line up
Pearson's concordance study, IELTS Academic against the updated PTE Academic.
| IELTS band | PTE overall |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 90 |
| 8.5 | 86-89 |
| 8.0 | 79-85 |
| 7.5 | 71-78 |
| 7.0 | 63-70 |
| 6.5 | 55-62 |
| 6.0 | 47-54 |
| 5.5 | 39-46 |
| 5.0 | 31-38 |
| 4.5 | 24-30 |
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 The summary was published in July 2025. Pearson says it will publish updated relationships with other providers, for example TOEFL, over the coming months. Per-skill ranges are on the easier-than page.
Is one easier?
IELTS Australia says: “So, neither of the tests is easier than the other.” What changes is how you are tested. Is PTE easier than IELTS? sets the evidence side by side, with every claim attributed.
Common questions
PTE Academic is one computer sitting with speaking recorded for machine scoring. IELTS has a face-to-face speaking test and a One Skill Retake option. IELTS Australia: IELTS Speaking is a face-to-face interview with a trained examiner, while PTE Academic responses are recorded through a computer microphone.
Both are on the Home Affairs list, and Home Affairs sets a separate minimum for each. The better test is the one where your scores clear the line for your visa.
Yes. PTE Academic is on the Home Affairs list of approved tests, and Home Affairs sets a separate minimum for each visa. The accepted tests page has the list.
Pearson lists PTE Academic at AUD 499. IELTS Australia lists AUD 490 and says however, in some locations, the test fee can be slightly higher. See the PTE test cost page.
Pearson: typically within 48 hours. IELTS Australia: typically in 1 day on computer.
IELTS Australia says: “If you need to improve your PTE Academic score, you'll need to retake the full test.” Pearson's retake policy only says you can retake the test. IELTS One Skill Retake is for eligible visas: Home Affairs says “One Skill Retake (OSR) for eligible visas. To find out if you are eligible, check the relevant visa page.”
Home Affairs asks for different numbers per test: for Proficient English, 58–76 on PTE and 7 on IELTS Academic. Pearson's concordance puts IELTS 7.0 at 63-70 PTE overall.
Pearson says: “You will have two hours to complete a PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI or a PTE Core test” and “the PTE Academic speaking section is completed on a computer (and is machine scored).” IELTS Australia's comparison page says: “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.” and “During the test, in PTE-A, you can only navigate forward through questions. You must correct mistakes before moving on to the next question. The individual questions are also timed.” It adds: “However, in IELTS on computer you can skip questions and come back to them later to complete.” Both sources come from the organisations behind each test, so read them as each side's own account. Fees, results time and retakes are in the table above, and the scores line up on the PTE score chart.