IELTS vs PTE — Which is Better?
IELTS Academic vs PTE Academic — a complete comparison choosing between these two major English tests
About This Service
IELTS vs PTE — Which is Better?
IELTS and PTE Academic are the two most widely accepted English language tests for study abroad. Both are accepted by universities in UK, Australia, Canada, and most other destinations. The right choice depends on your strengths, timeline, and target institutions. EduVed's test prep team helps hundreds of international students choose and prepare for the right test every year.
What You Get
PTE: computer-based, results in 48 hours vs IELTS 13-day wait
PTE: cheaper (₹15,900) vs IELTS Academic (₹17,000)
IELTS: widely accepted globally including more US universities
PTE: AI-scored — no examiner subjectivity in speaking/writing
IELTS: familiar format for most international students, widely available
EduVed coaches both tests and advises which suits your profile better
Book This Service — FREE
Our expert will call you within 24 hours
Start Preparing Today
Ready to score higher on IELTS?
Book a free strategy session — our experts map out your personalised prep plan.
Our Process
How It Works
Test Format Comparison
IELTS Academic: 4 sections (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking — with a human examiner). PTE Academic: 3 sections (Speaking & Writing combined, Reading, Listening) — fully computer-based. PTE speaking is AI-scored; many international students find this less stressful than face-to-face IELTS speaking.
Difficulty Comparison for international students
Reading: PTE slightly harder (more complex question types). Writing: IELTS more familiar. Speaking: PTE easier for many Indians (no human examiner). Listening: PTE has more audio-based questions, slightly harder. Overall: many Indian test-takers find PTE easier to score 7+ band equivalent.
Cost & Convenience
PTE: ₹15,900, multiple dates monthly, computer centres widely available. IELTS: ₹17,000, twice-monthly dates, paper or computer format. PTE results: 48 hours. IELTS results: 13 days. For urgent applications, PTE is the faster option.
Acceptance Comparison
IELTS: accepted by all UK, Australian, Canadian, and most US universities. Also accepted for immigration in UK, Canada, Australia. PTE: accepted by nearly all UK and Australian universities, most Canadian universities, and some US universities. For USA, TOEFL is more commonly used than both. EduVed confirms acceptance at your target universities.
Score Comparison
IELTS 6.5 ≈ PTE 58. IELTS 7.0 ≈ PTE 65. IELTS 7.5 ≈ PTE 73. When applying, EduVed identifies the specific score required at each target university and maps it to your current performance level.
Which Test to Choose
Choose PTE if: you need fast results, prefer AI-scored speaking, or want multiple monthly test dates. Choose IELTS if: you target US universities or immigration in Canada, or are more comfortable with the familiar format. EduVed provides mock tests in both formats to help you decide.
Related Guides & Resources
Common Questions
IELTS vs PTE — Which is Better? — FAQs
Answers to the most frequently asked questions about ielts vs pte — which is better?.
Ready for IELTS vs PTE — Which is Better??
Book your free consultation now and let our experts guide you every step of the way.