IELTS vs PTE: Exam Syllabus, Pattern, Test Fees, Difficulty Level, & More
Millions have taken the IELTS and PTE exams to prove their English language proficiency for academic or professional requirements. But which one should you take? The choice between the two is dependent on your needs, especially the test format, and the requirements of the institution or country that you want to enter. The IELTS exam is conducted both in paper-based and computer-based versions. It provides a speaking test that is human-evaluated. On the other hand, PTE is a completely computer-based test where AI technology grades all components of the test. In this blog, we will explore the differences between these two exams, IELTS vs. PTE exams. The guide will cover their distinct features, such as the scoring systems, syllabus, exam pattern, and more.
What is the IELTS Exam?
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is a globally recognized English language proficiency test designed for non-native speakers. It caters to those planning to study, work, or migrate to English-speaking countries. With over 3.5 million tests taken annually, IELTS is accepted by more than 12,000 institutions worldwide. This includes universities, employers, and governments. It offers two test versions:
- Academic for educational purposes
- General Training for work and migration
What is the PTE Exam?
The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is another prominent English language proficiency test that evaluates speaking, writing, reading, and listening skills. PTE is especially favored for its fast results delivered within 48 hours. It is accepted by thousands of universities, colleges, and government bodies globally, including for Australian and UK visa applications. PTE provides options like PTE Academic and PTE Home for specific immigration or educational purposes.
IELTS vs. PTE Exams
While both IELTS and PTE assess English proficiency, they differ significantly in format and delivery. IELTS offers both paper-based and computer-based options, while PTE is entirely computer-based. IELTS is preferred in regions like the UK, Australia, and New Zealand for visa purposes, while PTE is renowned for its fast results and widespread acceptance in Australian and UK immigration. In this section, we’ll take a look at the major differences in exam pattern, syllabus, criteria, results time, and more.
1. IELTS vs PTE Academic: Difference in Syllabus
To choose the right test based on your strengths, it’s important to first understand how their syllabus differ from one another. Both PTE and IELTS syllabus assess key English language skills but the structure and emphasis within each section aren’t the same. Here are the key differences between IELTS and PTE syllabi, with a focus on their structure, task types, and duration for each section:
| Section | IELTS | PTE Academic |
| Listening | – Duration: 30 minutes – Content: 4 recordings (monologues, conversations) – Task Types: Multiple choice, matching, note completion, summary completion, sentence completion, map labeling. | – Duration: 30-43 minutes – Task Types: Summarize spoken text, multiple choice, fill in the blanks, highlight correct summary, highlight incorrect words. |
| Reading | – Duration: 60 minutes – Content: 3 sections, 40 questions – Task Types: Multiple choice, matching information, matching headings, matching sentence endings, summary completion, true/false/not given, short answer questions. | – Duration: 29-30 minutes – Task Types: Multiple choice, fill in the blanks, re-order paragraphs, reading & writing: fill in the blanks. |
| Writing | – Duration: 60 minutes – Content: 2 tasks Task 1: Describe visual data (Academic) or letter writing (General). Task 2: Write an essay responding to a point of view, argument, or problem. | – Part of Speaking & Writing: 54-67 minutes- Task Types: Summarize written text and essay writing. |
| Speaking | – Duration: 11-14 minutes – Format: Face-to-face interview – Content: 3 parts: Introduction & interview, individual long turn, two-way discussion. | – Part of Speaking & Writing – Task Types: Personal introduction, read aloud, repeat sentences, describe image, re-tell lecture, answer short questions. |
| Total Duration | 2 hours 45 minutes | 2 hours |
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2. IELTS vs. PTE: Difference in Exam Pattern
Both exams assess English language skills across four main sections (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). Let us look at the significant differences between the IELTS and PTE exam patterns, mode of delivery, and evaluation methods:
- Mode of Test: IELTS can be taken either on paper or computer, while PTE is entirely computer-based.
- Speaking Section: For the IELTS exam, the speaking test involves a face-to-face interview with an examiner. On the other hand, in PTE, candidates speak into a microphone, and their responses are recorded and evaluated by AI.
- Duration: IELTS takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes, spread across two days for the speaking section. PTE, on the other hand, is completed in a single sitting of about 2 hours.
- Scoring: IELTS is scored on a band scale of 1-9 by human examiners. PTE uses a granular scoring system out of 90, evaluated by an AI algorithm.
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3. IELTS vs. PTE: Assessment Criteria, Difficulty Level, and Global Acceptance
IELTS relies on human examiners for the speaking and writing sections, whereas PTE uses AI-based automated scoring. This makes PTE more consistent but also more challenging if you are not comfortable with AI evaluations. Below are the key differences between IELTS and PTE criteria:
| Particulars | IELTS | PTE |
| Assessment Criteria | Assesses listening, reading, writing, and speaking. Speaking is assessed in person, while other sections are computer-based. | All sections are computer-based, including speaking, which uses AI to evaluate fluency, grammar, and pronunciation. |
| Difficulty Level | Writing and speaking sections are typically considered more challenging due to manual grading and the in-person speaking test. | Considered slightly easier, as it relies on automated grading. Speaking with a computer might feel less stressful. |
| Global Acceptance | Accepted by more than 12,000 organizations across 140 countries, these include universities, companies, government organizations, and migration agencies. | Accepted in 73 countries and 3000+ universities worldwide including in Australia, New Zealand, and some US and UK universities. |
4. IELTS vs PTE: Test Fees, Results, and Validity
The fees for taking IELTS and PTE for most cases is ₹17,000. This makes cost less of a factor in deciding which exam to take. PTE results are typically available within 2 days thanks to the automated scoring system, which makes it an attractive option for those in need of quick results. Following is a proper breakdown of costs, result time, and validity for both exams.
| Particulars | IELTS | PTE |
| Test Fees | IELTS on Computer for UKVI: ₹17,250 IELTS on Computer: ₹17,000 IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1): ₹16,050 IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration: ₹17,250 Pen and Paper-based IELTS: ₹17,000 One Skill Retake: ₹11,300 | PTE Academic: ₹17,000 PTE Academic Online: ₹17,000 PTE Academic UKVI: ₹17,000 PTE Core: ₹17,000 PTE Home A1, A2, B1: ₹14,435 each |
| Result Time | IELTS on Paper: 13 days IELTS on Computer: within 2 days IELTS for UKVI: 13 days IELTS Life Skills: 7 days | 2 days (Most results are available within 48 hours, or up to 5 days in some cases) |
| Test Validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Rescheduling Fees | IELTS on Computer: ₹4,250IELTS Life Skills (A1 and B1): ₹4,000IELTS on Paper for UKVI: ₹4,300IELTS on Paper: ₹4,250 | Varies depending on the test center |
| Availability | 75+ test centres across India | 62 test centers across India |
Conclusion
Both IELTS and PTE are highly recognized English proficiency tests, each with its unique features. If you prefer a human-graded speaking test and don’t mind waiting up to 13 days for your results, IELTS might be the better option for you. On the other hand, if you want faster results and are comfortable with a fully computer-based exam that includes AI-graded speaking, PTE could be the right choice. Understanding the test format and result timelines, as well as the respective strengths of both exams in specific regions and visa processes will help you make the right decision.
For more insights into other study abroad tests, check out our blog on top exams to study abroad.
FAQs
Answer: It depends on your comfort level with the exam format, question types, and how you handle speaking in front of an examiner versus a computer. IELTS may be easier if you are comfortable with face-to-face interactions, have strong reading comprehension, and can handle a wide range of question types. On the other hand, PTE may be easier if you prefer computer-based exams, and structured tasks, and feel more comfortable with consistent, automated scoring.
Answer: The sections covered in IELTS and PTE are:
– Listening
– Reading
– Writing
– Speaking
Answer: Some of the countries that accept both PTE and IELTS for immigration are:
– Australia
– New Zealand
– Canada
– UK (For study visas)
– USA (For study visas)
Answer: Both IELTS and PTE scores are valid for 2 years from the test date.
Answer: Yes, both tests can be retaken. IELTS has no restrictions on retakes. On the other hand, a PTE retake is allowed with a 5-day gap between attempts.
