By pteexamprep editorial teamPublished 10 Oct 2026Updated 10 Oct 2026Reviewed 10 Oct 2026 against official sources
Short answer: neither PTE nor IELTS is easier for everyone. The right test depends on the country, the score you need and which test suits your skills. Both are accepted for Australian visas, the UK accepts IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI for SELT visas, and for Canada's Express Entry you need PTE Core or IELTS General Training, not PTE Academic.
Quick comparison
| PTE Academic | IELTS Academic | |
|---|---|---|
| Skills tested | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking |
| Total time | About 2 hours, one sitting | About 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Speaking | Computer-based; recorded and scored automatically | Live conversation with a human examiner |
| Writing | Integrated tasks, such as summarising a passage in one sentence | Essay and a written description of a chart or graph |
| Score scale | 10–90 | Band 0–9 |
| Results | Most within two business days, up to five in some cases (Pearson) | Depends on format and centre; check your booking |
| Retake one skill | Check Pearson's current policy | One Skill Retake exists; accepted for eligible Australian visas, not for Canada Express Entry |
Which is easier?
Difficulty depends on your strengths. Neither test is objectively easier, and the two measure the same four skills with different tasks.
- PTE may suit you if you read aloud clearly, are comfortable typing and reordering text on screen, and do not want to speak to a person. Speaking tasks are scored by the computer, so there is no examiner conversation to manage.
- IELTS may suit you if you prefer a real conversation, can write a clear essay and describe a chart, and find the longer reading passages easier than PTE's short, timed tasks.
- Both demand accurate English. Neither is a shortcut. Practise the actual task types, because the formats differ enough that practice in one does not fully prepare you for the other.
To test yourself, try our practice tasks and compare how you feel about the formats before you book.
Which is better for you?
| Your goal | Usually the better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Australia visa or PR | Either (check your level) | Home Affairs accepts both; the minimums differ (see below) |
| Canada Express Entry | IELTS General Training or PTE Core | IRCC does not accept PTE Academic for Express Entry |
| UK visa needing a SELT | IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI | Both are approved; the UKVI version is the one you need |
| University admission | Whichever your university lists | Acceptance varies by institution |
| New Zealand visa | Check the current INZ English rule | Confirm the required test and score before booking |
See our guides for PTE Academic, PTE Core and PTE Academic UKVI if you are unsure which PTE you need.
Which countries accept PTE and IELTS?
- Australia: the Department of Home Affairs lists both tests. For competent English (tests taken on or after 7 August 2025), IELTS Academic needs at least 6 in each component, and PTE Academic needs at least 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking. For functional English, IELTS needs an average of at least 4.5 and PTE Academic an overall score of at least 24. Online or at-home versions are not accepted. See our PTE score requirement for Australia.
- Canada: IRCC accepts IELTS General Training and PTE Core for Express Entry. PTE Academic is not on the list, and IELTS One Skill Retake is not accepted for Express Entry. See PTE score for Canada.
- UK: for visas that need a Secure English Language Test (SELT), gov.uk lists IELTS for UKVI and a Pearson SELT (PTE Academic UKVI). Regular PTE Academic is a different booking from the UKVI version. See PTE score for the UK.
- New Zealand: see PTE score for New Zealand.
Canada: PTE Core vs IELTS General by CLB
IRCC publishes its own score-to-CLB tables for the Federal Skilled Worker Program. These are minimums per ability, and PTE Core is a different test from PTE Academic, so do not mix them with the concordance below.
| CLB level | IELTS General (S / L / R / W) | PTE Core (S / L / R / W) |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 / 6.0 | 68 / 60 / 60 / 69 |
| 8 | 6.5 / 7.5 / 6.5 / 6.5 | 76 / 71 / 69 / 79 |
| 9 | 7.0 / 8.0 / 7.0 / 7.0 | 84 / 82 / 78 / 88 |
How do the scores compare?
Pearson's July 2025 concordance study links PTE Academic and IELTS Academic. Use the table as a guide only. Organisations set their own requirements, and some ask for scores in each skill, not overall.
| IELTS band (overall) | PTE Academic (overall) |
|---|---|
| 5.0 | 31–38 |
| 5.5 | 39–46 |
| 6.0 | 47–54 |
| 6.5 | 55–62 |
| 7.0 | 63–70 |
| 7.5 | 71–78 |
| 8.0 | 79–85 |
Text version of this diagram
- IELTS 4.5: PTE overall 24–30
- IELTS 5.0: PTE overall 31–38
- IELTS 5.5: PTE overall 39–46
- IELTS 6.0: PTE overall 47–54
- IELTS 6.5: PTE overall 55–62
- IELTS 7.0: PTE overall 63–70
- IELTS 7.5: PTE overall 71–78
- IELTS 8.0: PTE overall 79–85
- IELTS 8.5: PTE overall 86–89
- IELTS 9.0: PTE overall 90
- Ranges are inclusive. Scores below 24 have no IELTS band in this table. It is an estimate with measurement error.
For the full 10–90 breakdown, see the PTE score chart. To convert a single score, use the PTE to IELTS converter. To go the other way, try the IELTS to PTE page.
Results, validity and fees
- Results: Pearson says most PTE Academic results arrive within two business days and sometimes take up to five. Check your IELTS booking for its timeline. Plan a buffer before any deadline.
- Fees: both tests charge different fees in each country and change over time, so we do not quote a figure here. Check the current fee on the official Pearson test centres and fees page or the IELTS booking site for your city.
- Validity: each organisation and government sets its own rule on how recent a test result must be. Check this before you book.
Which should you book?
- Find the exact requirement. Look up the test, minimum score and validity period your visa or university lists.
- Match the test to the rule. For Canada Express Entry, book PTE Core or IELTS General Training. For a UK visa, book a UKVI-approved test.
- Try both formats. If you can, do a practice test of each before you pay for an exam.
- Plan your score. Use our PTE to IELTS converter if your target is in IELTS bands.
- Prepare for the format you chose. Read about the PTE exam pattern and the PTE 2025 format changes, or start with PTE preparation.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE easier than IELTS? Neither test is easier for everyone. PTE is computer-scored, with Speaking recorded and marked automatically. IELTS Speaking is a live conversation with an examiner. Try a practice test in each format before you decide.
Which is better, IELTS or PTE? Whichever one your university or visa accepts at the score you need. For visas, Australia accepts both, the UK accepts IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI for SELT visas, and Canada's Express Entry accepts IELTS General Training and PTE Core.
Is PTE accepted for Canada PR? PTE Core is accepted for Express Entry. PTE Academic is not on IRCC's list. IELTS General Training is also accepted, so you can choose between IELTS General and PTE Core for Canada.
Is PTE accepted in the UK? For visas that need a Secure English Language Test, you must book the Pearson SELT (PTE Academic UKVI). For university admission, each university sets its own list, so check both your university and your visa route.
Which is more accepted, IELTS or PTE? Neither is accepted everywhere, and totals matter less than your own destination. Check the specific university or visa listing for the test and score they name.
What is the full form of PTE and IELTS? PTE is the Pearson Test of English. IELTS is the International English Language Testing System.
What is the full form of PTE Academic? Pearson Test of English Academic. It is the general academic version, used for university admission and many visas. PTE Core and PTE Academic UKVI are separate tests.
How long does PTE take compared to IELTS? PTE Academic takes about 2 hours in one sitting. IELTS Academic takes about 2 hours 45 minutes, and IELTS Speaking may be on a different day from the rest of the test.
Which gives results faster, PTE or IELTS? Pearson says most PTE Academic results arrive within two business days, sometimes up to five. IELTS timelines depend on format and centre. Allow extra time before deadlines.
Can I use PTE scores for an IELTS requirement? Only if the organisation accepts a PTE equivalent. Pearson's concordance is a guide, and many organisations accept only their own test, so check the official requirement.
Which should I take for Australia PR? Both are accepted. For competent English, IELTS Academic needs 6 in each skill and PTE Academic needs 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking (tests taken on or after 7 August 2025). Check the Home Affairs page for your visa.
Is IELTS or PTE easier for beginners? Beginners find both hard. Choose by format: if you are comfortable with a computer and reading aloud, PTE may feel more predictable. If you prefer talking to a person and writing essays, IELTS may suit you better.
Related reading
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE easier than IELTS?
Neither test is easier for everyone. PTE is computer-scored, with Speaking recorded and marked automatically, so it suits people who are comfortable with a keyboard and reading aloud to a microphone. IELTS suits people who prefer a live conversation with an examiner and who write well in essay and chart-description format. Try a practice test in each format before you choose.
Which is better, IELTS or PTE?
Whichever one your university or visa accepts, at the score you need. For visas: Australia accepts both, the UK accepts IELTS for UKVI and PTE Academic UKVI, and Canada's Express Entry accepts IELTS General Training and PTE Core. Check your specific university or programme before booking.
Is PTE accepted for Canada PR?
PTE Core is accepted for Express Entry. PTE Academic is not on IRCC's list. IRCC also accepts IELTS General Training, so for Canada you can choose between IELTS General and PTE Core.
Is PTE accepted in the UK?
Yes, for visas that require a Secure English Language Test (SELT), you must book the approved Pearson SELT (PTE Academic UKVI), not regular PTE Academic. For university admission, each university sets its own list, so check it directly.
Which is more accepted, IELTS or PTE?
Neither is accepted everywhere. Both are accepted for Australian visas, and for UK SELT visas each has its own approved version. For Canada Express Entry only IELTS General Training and PTE Core count. Check the specific university or visa listing for your case.
What is the full form of PTE and IELTS?
PTE stands for Pearson Test of English. IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. Both test English for study, work and migration.
What is the full form of PTE Academic?
Pearson Test of English Academic. It is the general academic version, used for university admission and visas such as Australia's. PTE Core and PTE Academic UKVI are separate tests.
How long does PTE take compared to IELTS?
PTE Academic takes about 2 hours in one sitting. IELTS Academic takes about 2 hours 45 minutes, and IELTS Speaking can be scheduled on a different day, up to a week before or after the rest of the test, depending on the centre.
Which is faster for results, PTE or IELTS?
Pearson says most PTE Academic results arrive within two business days, and in some cases take up to five. IELTS timelines depend on the test format and centre, so check your booking confirmation. Plan a buffer before any deadline.
Can I use PTE scores for IELTS requirements?
Some organisations accept an IELTS equivalent. Pearson publishes a concordance between the two tests, and our converter uses it. Use the score conversion only as a guide and check the official requirement, because many organisations accept only their own test.
Which one should I take for Australia PR?
Both are accepted by the Department of Home Affairs. For competent English on tests taken on or after 7 August 2025, IELTS Academic needs 6 in each component and PTE Academic needs 47 listening, 48 reading, 51 writing and 54 speaking. Check the page for your visa and test date.
Official sources
- pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/scoring/ (checked 2026-10-09)
- pearsonpte.com/articles/how-are-pte-academic-and-ielts-academic-different-heres-what-you-need-to-know/ (checked 2026-10-09)
- pearsonpte.com/content/dam/ELL/pte/pearsonpte/pdfs/Concordance-study-summary-pte-academic-july-2025.pdf (checked 2026-10-09)
- pearsonpte.com/pte-academic (checked 2026-10-09)
- immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/competent-english (checked 2026-10-09)
- immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language/functional-english (checked 2026-10-09)
- canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-test.html (checked 2026-10-09)
- gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt (checked 2026-10-09)
- pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/score-guide (checked 2026-10-10)