# PTE vs IELTS: format, scoring and visas

The two tests side by side: length, how speaking is tested and scored, results time, score equivalents and which visas take each.

Both tests cover listening, reading, speaking and writing, and both are accepted for Australian and New Zealand visas and widely used for university admission. The real difference is how you take them: PTE is entirely on a computer and scored mostly by AI, with results in about two days. IELTS has a face-to-face speaking test and human examiners mark your speaking and writing.

## PTE vs IELTS at a glance

|  | PTE Academic | IELTS Academic |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Length | About 2 hours | 2 hours 45 minutes |
| Parts, in order | Speaking & Writing (76-84 min), then Reading (23-30 min), then Listening (31-39 min) | Listening (about 30 min), Reading (60), Writing (60) in one sitting; Speaking (11-14 min) separately, the same day or within a week |
| Where you take it | On a computer at a test centre only | On a computer at a centre, or IELTS Online for Academic. Paper tests are being phased out from mid-2026 |
| Speaking | Into a microphone at the computer, no examiner | Face to face with an examiner (a video call on IELTS Online) |
| Who scores it | AI, with some answers also part-scored by humans since August 2025 | Human examiners mark Speaking and Writing |
| Results | Typically within 2 days, at most 5 | 1-5 days on computer (most within 2); 6-8 days for IELTS Online |
| Score scale | 10-90 overall and per skill; the overall isn't an average | Bands 0-9 in half bands; the overall is the average of the four, rounded |
| Retakes | Book again once your last scores arrive; up to 12 tests in 12 months | No waiting period |
| Retake one skill | Not offered | One Skill Retake within 60 days, after a computer test at a centre that offers it |

*Sources: Pearson and IELTS test owners' pages, checked 7 October 2026*

## How the scores compare

Pearson's concordance study links each IELTS Academic band to a range of PTE Academic overall scores.

| IELTS band | PTE Academic 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 |

*Source: Pearson concordance study summary, July 2025*

Every score with its CEFR level is on the [PTE score chart](/pte/score-chart), and the [IELTS ↔ PTE converter](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter) does it per skill.

## Which visas accept each

| Country | PTE | IELTS |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Australia | PTE Academic. Proficient English is 58 L, 59 R, 69 W, 76 S | IELTS Academic or General Training, including One Skill Retake. IELTS Online isn't accepted |
| United Kingdom | PTE Academic UKVI where a visa needs a SELT: 43 for B1, 59 for B2, 76 for C1 in each skill | IELTS for UKVI: 4.0 for B1, 5.5 for B2, 7.0 for C1 in each skill |
| Canada (immigration) | PTE Core, not PTE Academic | IELTS General Training, not IELTS Academic |
| New Zealand | PTE Academic, 58 overall for skilled residence | IELTS, 6.5 overall for skilled residence |

*Sources: Home Affairs, GOV.UK SELT list, IRCC, Immigration New Zealand*

Universities set their own minimums for both tests, so check the course page. The full IELTS rules for each country, by visa and for nursing, are on [IELTS band requirements by country](/ielts/band-requirements). Also weighing CELPIP or LanguageCert? See [which English test to take](/blog/which-english-test-ielts-pte-celpip-languagecert).

## Which one suits you

- Choose PTE if you type faster than you write, want results within days, and would rather speak to a microphone than to a person.
- Choose IELTS if you'd rather talk to an examiner, want the option to retake one skill, or need IELTS General Training for Canada.
- Either way, try a few real tasks before you book. The format you're comfortable with is worth more than any small difference between the tests.

Try PTE's tasks in [free PTE practice](/pte/practice), and IELTS in [free IELTS Reading and Listening tests](/ielts/reading).

## PTE vs IELTS questions

### Is PTE easier than IELTS?

Neither is easier on paper: Pearson's concordance study maps every IELTS band to a PTE range, so the same English earns an equivalent score on both. What differs is the format. PTE suits people who are comfortable typing and speaking to a computer; IELTS suits people who would rather speak to a person.

### Can I use PTE Academic for Canada?

Not for immigration. For economic immigration IRCC accepts CELPIP-General, IELTS General Training and PTE Core. PTE Academic and IELTS Academic are for study and for other countries' visas.

### Can I use PTE for a UK visa?

Yes, if you take PTE Academic UKVI where a visa needs a Secure English Language Test. It's the same test with a reference number for your application. Universities can also accept PTE Academic for degree-level study under their own rules.

### What IELTS score is PTE 65?

Pearson's concordance puts IELTS 7.0 at PTE 63-70, so 65 is about IELTS 7.0. The PTE 65 to IELTS page breaks it down by skill.

**Sources**
- [Pearson: PTE Academic](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/)
- [Pearson: PTE Academic test format](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/test-format/speaking-writing/)
- [Pearson: PTE updates 2025](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-updates-2025/)
- [Pearson help centre: scoring](https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center/scoring/)
- [Pearson: PTE Academic concordance study summary, July 2025 (PDF)](https://www.pearsonpte.com/content/dam/ELL/pte/pearsonpte/pdfs/Concordance-study-summary-pte-academic-july-2025.pdf)
- [IELTS: IELTS Academic test](https://ielts.org/take-a-test/test-types/ielts-academic-test)
- [IELTS: updates to test delivery](https://ielts.org/news-and-insights/updates-to-ielts-test-delivery)
- [IELTS: how IELTS is scored](https://www.ielts.org/en-us/for-test-takers/how-ielts-is-scored)
- [IELTS: getting and sharing your results](https://ielts.org/take-a-test/your-results/getting-and-sharing-your-results)
- [IELTS: One Skill Retake](https://www.ielts.org/take-a-test/booking-your-test/one-skill-retake)
- [Department of Home Affairs: English language requirements](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language)
- [Department of Home Affairs: Subclass 189 points table](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table)
- [GOV.UK: prove your English with a Secure English Language Test](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt)
- [IRCC: language test results for Express Entry](https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/language-requirements/language-testing.html)
- [Immigration New Zealand: English requirements for skilled residence visas](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/providing-evidence-and-documents-to-support-your-visa-application/english-language-requirements/english-language-requirements-for-skilled-residence-visas/)