Comparison table for test takers who are targeting for study or permanent residency goals:
| IELTS Band | PTE Academic |
|---|---|
| 4.5 | 23 |
| 5.0 | 29 |
| 5.5 | 36 |
| 6.0 | 46 |
| 6.5 | 56 |
| 7.0 | 66 |
| 7.5 | 76 |
| 8.0 | 84 |
| 8.5 | 89 |
| 9.0 | N/A |
Provided competency levels are based on various official English language standards studies and this helps the immigration and educational bodies to properly understand the skills.
⚖️ Variations between the Scoring Systems of PTE and IELTS
👉 (International English Language Testing System/IELTS):
This test uses a 0–9 band scale for analysing the skills of test takers.
🔹 All the four skills - Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking are scored separately.
🔹 Result will be the average of all the four skills.
🔹 Human evaluators will assess 2 skills - Speaking and Writing.
👉 (Pearson Test of English/PTE):
🔹 This exam uses a 10–90 granular scale for understanding the language skills.
🔹 It was a fully AI-based scoring test, but with recent updates of 2024, this test also introduced human checking for Speaking tasks like “Describe Image” and “Retell Lecture”.
🔹 Adding to this, newer updates released in July 2025, now includes 5 more tasks that are evaluated by humans for content for tasks like “Summarize Group Discussion”, “Respond to a Situation”, “Summarize Written Text”, “Essay” and “Summarize Spoken Text” which now means – 14% of the test is evaluated by humans and rest 86% is still AI-based scorings.
🧾 Test Format & Experience
| Feature | IELTS | PTE |
|---|---|---|
| Test Mode | Paper or Computer Based | Fully Computer-Based |
| Duration | 2 Hours 45 mins | 2 Hours 15 mins |
| Speaking | Face-to-face with human evaluator | Recorded responses |
| Scoring | Human + Computer | 14% Human + 86% AI |
| Result Time | 3-5 Days (Computer) | Usually, 2 working days |
🤔 Which is the easy-to-crack test?
👉 PTE can be suitable for:
🔹 People who are accustomed with computer usage.
🔹 Who depend on methods and templated responses.
🔹 Who require results immediately.
👉 IELTS may be preferable by:
🔹 Test takers who are comfortable with human interaction.
🔹 People who are accustomed with older exam methods.
🔹 Aspirants targeting UK or broader global eligibility.
🙌 Acceptance & Use
👉 IELTS:
🔹 This test is accepted by nearly 12,500+ educational facilities worldwide.
🔹 Primarily for UK, New Zealand, and extended academic recognitions.
👉 PTE:
🔹 This is also rapidly gaining attention throughout US, UK, Australia and Canada.
🔹 Useful for student visas, PR, and skilled immigration programs.
🌍 Migration & Visa Implications
🇦🇺 Australia:
🔹 IELTS and PTE are both eligible tests by the Department of Home Affairs.
🔹 Scoring criteria varies depending on the type of visa
🇨🇦 Canada:
🔹 IELTS General Training was usually accepted till 2024.
🔹 But now even PTE Core has been added in eligible tests lists for immigration (Since 2024).
💡 Final Tips for Candidates
✔️ Know your strong areas: If you are fluent in rapid speaking, then IELTS may be suitable. But, if you are a person who is comfortable with structured pattern and immediate results, then PTE should be your test.
✔️ Confirm with your institution/visa criteria: Some universities or visa programs require some minimum scores in each of the skills. So, take care of those scorings.
✔️ Stay up-to-date: PTE’s scoring changes implemented recently (involvement of human review) can affect your preparation strategies, so, prepare yourself accordingly.
