IELTS vs PTE Academic: Which Exam Should You Take?
Choosing between IELTS and PTE Academic? This guide breaks down the key differences in format, scoring, cost, and acceptance so you can decide which is right for you.
Both IELTS and PTE Academic are accepted for Australian, UK, Canadian, and New Zealand visas and university admissions. But they're very different exams. Here's everything you need to know to pick the right one.
The Core Difference
IELTS is a human-graded exam. A certified examiner grades your Speaking and Writing. Results take 3–13 days.
PTE Academic is fully computer-graded. An AI scores every section, including Speaking. Results are usually available within 48 hours.
Format Comparison
| Section | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | 30 min | Audio recordings, 40 questions |
| Reading | 60 min | 3 passages, 40 questions |
| Writing | 60 min | Task 1 (graph/chart) + Task 2 (essay) |
| Speaking | 11–14 min | Face-to-face with examiner |
| Section | Time | Format |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking & Writing | 77–93 min | Read aloud, essays, summarize text |
| Reading | 32–41 min | Fill blanks, multiple choice |
| Listening | 45–57 min | Summarize, highlight, dictation |
Scoring
IELTS uses a band score from 1–9 in 0.5 increments. Each section is scored separately. Most visas require an overall band of 6.0–7.0.
PTE scores from 10–90. Each section gets a score, and many integrating communicative skills are scored across sections simultaneously. Most Australian visas require 65+.
Which Is Easier?
It depends on your strengths:
Choose IELTS if you:
- Are a strong writer and can express ideas well on paper
- Prefer talking to a real person in the Speaking section
- Are not comfortable with computers
- Want examiner flexibility (human graders can understand context and accents)
Choose PTE if you:
- Type faster than you write by hand
- Want results within 48 hours
- Are good at reading aloud with clear pronunciation
- Prefer a fully standardized, unbiased scoring system
- Are Filipino — Filipino accent scores well with PTE's AI
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Grading | Human examiner | AI (fully automated) |
| Results turnaround | 3–13 days | Within 48 hours |
| Speaking format | Face-to-face interview | Speak into microphone |
| Writing format | Handwritten or typed | Always typed |
| Exam duration | ~2 hrs 45 min | ~2 hrs 15 min |
| Cost (Philippines) | ₱14,000–₱16,000 | ₱10,000–₱13,000 |
| Score validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Retakes | Anytime (full fee) | Anytime (no limit) |
Acceptance
Both are widely accepted. For specific use cases:
- Australia PR (skilled migration): Both accepted. PTE is often preferred because of faster results.
- UK visa: Both accepted by UKVI. Make sure to book the UKVI version of IELTS specifically.
- Canada PR: Both accepted. IELTS is more common for Canada.
- Philippine nursing board (CGFNS/PearsonVue pathway): Check the specific body — requirements vary.
Our Recommendation
If you're applying for Australian PR or skilled migration, go with PTE Academic — faster results, cheaper in the Philippines, and the AI scoring is consistent.
If you're applying for UK or Canada, or if you prefer a human examiner for Speaking, go with IELTS.
Practice for Both on Scoravo
Scoravo has practice tests for both IELTS and PTE Academic. Try them both for free — you'll quickly feel which format suits you better before paying for the real exam.
Put it into practice
Free IELTS and PTE practice tests with instant scoring — no credit card needed.
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