Table of Contents
Take IELTS if you want the most widely accepted test, you like speaking to a real person, or you plan to use the score for Canada PR (IELTS General Training) or a UK visa (IELTS for UKVI). Take PTE if you are comfortable on a computer, want results in about two days, and your university or visa accepts it. For the Australia student visa, both tests work. The best test is the one your university and visa office accept, so check that first.
Students in Ahmedabad and Surat ask us the same thing every week: “IELTS or PTE, which one should I take?” This guide gives a clear answer. You will see how the two tests differ, how the scores compare, which one fits each country, and what each costs in India in 2026.
Talk to a SWEC Visa counsellor before you book your test
IELTS vs PTE at a Glance
Feature | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
Full form | International English Language Testing System | Pearson Test of English Academic |
Format in India (2026) | On computer. Paper tests ended after 22 August 2026 | On computer |
Speaking test | Face to face with a human examiner | You speak into a microphone |
Who marks it | Humans mark Writing and Speaking. Reading and Listening are auto-marked | Computer marks everything |
Test length | About 2 hours 45 minutes | About 2 hours |
Score scale | Bands 0 to 9 | 10 to 90 points |
Results | Usually 1 to 5 days | Usually within 2 days |
Fee in India | INR 19,000 (from 1 April 2026) | About INR 18,900 |
Retake one skill | Yes, on computer (One Skill Retake) | No, you retake the full test |
Score validity | 2 years | 2 years |
Acceptance | 13,500+ organisations, says the test owner | 3,900+ institutions, says the test owner |
Fees and result times change, so confirm them on the official booking page before you pay.
What Is IELTS?
IELTS is a four-part English test. It checks Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. There are two main types. IELTS Academic is for university study. IELTS General Training is for work and migration, such as Canada PR.
There is also IELTS for UKVI. This is a special version that the UK Home Office accepts for some visa cases.
In India, IELTS on paper has ended. From September 2026, you take it on a computer. Some centres also offer a version where you write the Writing paper by hand. The Speaking test is still a live talk with a trained examiner.
What Is PTE?
PTE Academic is made by Pearson. You take the whole test on a computer in one sitting. It has three parts: Speaking and Writing together, Reading, and Listening.
A computer scores your answers. You speak into a headset. Some tasks test more than one skill at the same time. For example, you may listen to a short talk and then write a summary.
PTE also has other versions. PTE Core is for Canadian immigration. PTE Academic UKVI is for certain UK visa cases. Booking the wrong one is a costly mistake, so always check which version you need.
IELTS vs PTE: The Real Differences
1. Speaking: human or computer
In IELTS, you talk to an examiner. You can smile, ask for a repeat and explain your ideas. Many students find this natural.
In PTE, you talk to a screen. There is no pause for small talk. You must start speaking quickly and keep going. Students who feel shy with people often like this. Students who need time to think often do not.
2. Marking: people or software
IELTS uses human markers for Writing and Speaking. PTE uses software for all four skills. Neither is “better.” Software is consistent, but it only looks at patterns. A human can follow your ideas more freely.
3. Question style
IELTS asks you to write a report on a graph or chart and a 250-word essay. The questions are longer and more like real study tasks.
PTE uses many short tasks. You repeat sentences, describe images, re-order paragraphs and fill in blanks. You need to switch quickly between tasks.
4. Time and pressure
PTE is shorter, but it is fast. The screen moves on, and you cannot go back to earlier questions. IELTS on computer is longer and lets you move between questions in some sections.
5. Retakes
If you miss your target in one skill, IELTS on computer lets you retake that skill alone. In India, this costs less than a full test. PTE does not offer this. You sit the full test again.
IELTS vs PTE: Which Is Easier?
Neither test is easier for everyone. It depends on how you speak, type and think.
IELTS may feel easier if you:
- Like talking to a person
- Prefer longer reading passages and clear essay tasks
- Want to see the Speaking examiner’s reactions
- Want a cheaper retake option for one weak skill
PTE may feel easier if you:
- Type fast and feel at ease with headsets and screens
- Get nervous with a live examiner
- Want quick results
- Are good at short, quick tasks
A simple way to decide is to take one free practice test of each. Compare your scores and how you felt. Your own result will tell you more than any blog post.
IELTS vs PTE Score Comparison
IELTS and PTE use different scales, so you need a chart to compare them. This table follows the British Council’s concordance.
IELTS band | PTE score range | Level (CEFR) |
|---|---|---|
5.5 | 39 to 46 | B2 |
6.0 | 47 to 54 | B2 |
6.5 | 55 to 62 | B2 |
7.0 | 63 to 70 | C1 |
7.5 | 71 to 78 | C1 |
8.0 | 79 to 85 | C1 |
What is 63 in PTE in IELTS? A PTE score of 63 matches IELTS 7.0. It sits at the bottom of the 63 to 70 range.
Two cautions apply. First, universities and visa offices may use their own conversion tables. Second, most of them also set a minimum for each skill, not only the overall score. Always read the exact rule.
Want to check the official table yourself? See the British Council IELTS vs PTE page.
IELTS or PTE for Each Country
IELTS or PTE for the Australia Student Visa
Both tests are accepted for the subclass 500 student visa. For direct entry, the visa minimum is generally IELTS 6.0 overall. Packaged English courses (ELICOS) have lower levels. PTE Academic equivalents are usually listed between 47 and 50 for direct entry. Sources differ, so confirm the exact number on the Home Affairs website.
Three points matter here:
- You must take the test at a secure, in-person centre. At-home versions, such as IELTS Online, are not accepted for visa use.
- Your university may ask for more than the visa minimum.
- A stronger score also supports your Genuine Student case.
If you are planning Australia, read our study in Australia guide too.
IELTS vs PTE for Canada Immigration
Here the choice is not a matter of taste. It is a matter of the right test version.
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts these English tests: IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General and PTE Core. It does not accept IELTS Academic or PTE Academic for Express Entry. IRCC also does not accept the IELTS One Skill Retake for Express Entry. You can read the rule on the official Canada.ca language test page.
For a Canadian study permit, the college or university decides. Most accept IELTS Academic or PTE Academic. Note that Canada closed its Student Direct Stream (SDS) on 8 November 2024. The old IELTS advantage that came with SDS no longer applies.
IELTS or PTE for the UK Student Visa
The UK has a special rule. The Home Office accepts only approved Secure English Language Tests (SELTs) for visa purposes. That means IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI. A normal IELTS Academic or PTE Academic result is not a SELT.
But many UK universities check English themselves. They may accept your normal IELTS Academic or PTE Academic for admission. So before you book, ask your university two things: which test they accept, and whether your CAS needs a UKVI test.
For degree-level study, the level is usually B2. That is often IELTS 5.5 in each skill, or PTE Academic UKVI 59 in each skill. Universities often ask for more. IELTS for UKVI costs INR 19,250 in India.
IELTS vs PTE for USA Universities
The US student visa itself does not set a test score. Each university sets its own rule. Most accept IELTS Academic, and many accept PTE Academic. Some also accept the Duolingo English Test. Check each university’s admissions page, because accepted tests differ from one school to the next.
IELTS or PTE for the New Zealand Student Visa
Both tests are widely accepted by New Zealand universities and for the study visa. Your education provider sets the score. Confirm it with the provider before you book.
Country Summary
Country | IELTS | PTE Academic | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|
Australia | Accepted | Accepted | In-person test centre only |
Canada (study) | Usually accepted | Usually accepted | Check each college |
Canada (PR) | General Training only | PTE Core only | Academic versions do not count |
UK | IELTS for UKVI if a SELT is needed | PTE Academic UKVI if a SELT is needed | Standard versions are not SELTs |
USA | Widely accepted | Often accepted | University sets its own rule |
New Zealand | Accepted | Accepted | Provider sets the score |
IELTS vs PTE vs Duolingo: What Is the Difference?
The Duolingo English Test (DET) is shorter and cheaper. You take it online at home. But it works only where the university says so.
Feature | IELTS | PTE Academic | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|
Where you take it | Test centre | Test centre | At home, online |
Length | About 2 hrs 45 min | About 2 hrs | About 1 hour |
Score scale | 0 to 9 | 10 to 90 | 10 to 160 |
Results | 1 to 5 days | About 2 days | About 2 days |
Approx. cost in India | INR 19,000 | INR 18,900 | About INR 5,400 |
Australia student visa | Accepted | Accepted | Not accepted |
UK visa (SELT) | IELTS for UKVI | PTE Academic UKVI | Not a SELT |
Duolingo can be a good choice for some US and Canadian university applications. It is not a safe choice if you may need the score for a visa. Treat it as a backup, not your main plan.
Which English Test Is Best for Study Abroad?
An English proficiency test for study abroad should match three things: your country, your university and your own skills. Ask yourself these five questions:
- Which country and university am I applying to? Read their English page first.
- Do I need the score for a visa? If you are going to the UK, you may need a UKVI test.
- Do I want to speak to a person? If yes, lean towards IELTS.
- Do I need results fast? PTE is often quicker, but IELTS on computer is now fast too.
- Might I want PR later? For Canada, remember the General Training and PTE Core rule.
If both tests are accepted, choose the one on which you score higher in a practice test.
How Much Do They Cost in India?
- IELTS Academic or General Training: INR 19,000 since 1 April 2026
- IELTS for UKVI: INR 19,250
- IELTS One Skill Retake: about INR 12,650
- PTE Academic: about INR 18,900
- Duolingo: about INR 5,400
PTE does not charge to send score reports to universities. IELTS gives five free reports and then charges for extra ones. Fees change, so check the official site on the day you book.
Five Mistakes to Avoid
- Booking the wrong version. IELTS Academic is not IELTS General Training. PTE Academic is not PTE Core.
- Skipping the university check. Some courses ask for a higher score than the visa does.
- Ignoring per-skill scores. A strong overall score can still fail if one skill is low.
- Taking an at-home test for a visa. Australia does not accept them.
- Booking too late. Slots fill up fast in peak admission months. Book at least a few weeks before your deadline.
IELTS and PTE Coaching and Mock Tests in Ahmedabad and Surat
Good preparation matters more than the test you choose. Whichever you pick, do these things:
- Take a full-length IELTS mock test or PTE mock test under timed conditions
- Practise on a computer, since both tests are now computer-based
- Record your Speaking answers and listen back
- Get your Writing checked by a trainer
- Review your weak skill every week
You can try the official free IELTS practice tests from the British Council as a starting point.
If you want help with IELTS coaching in Ahmedabad and Surat or PTE coaching in Ahmedabad and Surat, the SWEC Visa team can guide you. We help you pick the right test for your country, plan your score target and match your test date to your intake.
Book a free counselling session with SWEC Visa
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, IELTS or PTE?
Neither is better for everyone. IELTS has wider acceptance and a face-to-face Speaking test. PTE is fully computer-based and often gives faster results. Pick the one your university and visa accept, and the one on which you score higher.
Is IELTS or PTE easier?
It depends on you. People who like talking to an examiner and writing essays often prefer IELTS. People who type fast and like short tasks often prefer PTE.
What is 63 in PTE in IELTS?
A PTE score of 63 is equal to about IELTS 7.0, based on the British Council’s concordance table.
Is PTE accepted for the Australia student visa?
Yes. PTE Academic is accepted for the student visa when taken at a secure in-person centre. At-home versions are not accepted. Confirm the exact score on the Home Affairs website.
Is IELTS or PTE better for Canada?
For Canada PR through Express Entry, you need IELTS General Training, CELPIP-General or PTE Core. IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are not accepted there. For a study permit, check what your college accepts.
Do I need IELTS for UKVI or normal IELTS for a UK student visa?
If a Secure English Language Test is required, you need IELTS for UKVI or PTE Academic UKVI. Many universities accept normal tests for admission, so ask your university before you book.
Can I use Duolingo instead of IELTS or PTE?
Only if your university accepts it and you do not need the score for a visa. It is not accepted for the Australia student visa or as a UK SELT.
How long are IELTS and PTE scores valid?
Both are valid for two years from the test date.
Final Thoughts
The IELTS vs PTE choice comes down to your destination, your visa rules and your own strengths. Start with the rules, then compare your scores in one practice test of each. That keeps you from wasting money on the wrong test.
Not sure which one fits your plan? Contact SWEC Visa and our counsellors will match the right test to your country, course and intake.
Phone: +91-84012 61234 | Email: ahmedabad@swecvisaconsultant.com | Website: www.swecvisaconsultant.com
Disclaimer: Test rules, scores and fees change often. This article is general information, not migration advice. Check the official website of your university, the test provider and the immigration department before you book.
