
Computer-delivered IELTS vs. PTE-A
IELTS vs PTE Academic:
how do they compare?
- Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Price
IELTS
PTE Academic
$385 $385 $385 (no additional fee for late bookings) $481.25 (for late bookings) - Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Test format
IELTS
PTE Academic
The IELTS General Training test features everyday English in a social or workplace context and is for test takers applying for secondary education, work experience or training programs in an English speaking country. The IELTS Academic test features academic English and tasks for test takers applying for higher education or professional registration in an English speaking country.
PTE Academic uses academically relevant tasks to measure skills in an integrated way. It is a test of English for study abroad and immigration. - Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Acceptance
IELTS
PTE Academic
IELTS is accepted globally by more than 10,000 organisations including universities, professional bodies, employers, and Australian student visa and migration applications. The IELTS General Training test is the only non-academic test of English accepted for migration to Australia.
PTE Academic is accepted for study applications by thousands of academic programs globally and is approved for all Australian student visa and migration applications. It is accepted by an increasing number of professional associations around the world for registration and assessment.
- Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Speaking test
IELTS
PTE Academic
The IELTS Speaking test is face-to-face with a human examiner in a private and quiet room with no other test takers. IELTS Speaking examiners may repeat or rephrase a question upon request.
PTE Academic test takers are tested by their ability to produce spoken English in an academic environment (reading aloud in a partitioned booth with other test takers in the room). The Speaking test microphone will switch off automatically if a test taker is silent for more than 3 seconds.
- Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Navigation through questions
IELTS
PTE Academic
In computer-delivered IELTS you may skip questions and come back to them to complete or check your answer at a later time. In PTE Academic you can only navigate forward through questions and you must correct mistakes before moving onto the next question. - Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Length of the test
IELTS
PTE Academic
- Writing (60 minutes)
- Reading (60 minutes)
- Listening (30-36 minutes)
- Speaking (11-14 minutes)
- Part 1: Speaking and writing (77-93 minutes)
- Part 2: Reading (32-41 minutes)
- Part 3: Listening (45-57 minutes)
- Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Marking
IELTS
PTE Academic
The IELTS Writing and Speaking tests are marked by English experts following global marking standards. The Reading and Listening tests are auto-marked. All tests in PTE Academic are machine scores using PTE Academic’s automated scoring system. - Compare IELTS vs PTE-A | Results turnaround
IELTS
PTE Academic
- 5-7 calendar days
- 5 business days
- Sources
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. Test Centres & Fees | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/test-centers-and-fees.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. Test Centres & Fees | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/test-centers-and-fees.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. Why PTE Academic? | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/why-pte-academic.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. Why PTE Academic? | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/why-pte-academic.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. English Speaking, Writing & Grammar Test | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/format/english-speaking-writing.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. Test FAQs | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/faqs.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. Test FAQs | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/faqs.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. English Test Format | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/format.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. How Is The Test Scored? | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/the-test/about-our-scores/how-is-the-test-scored.
- Source: PTE Academic, 2018. Why PTE Academic? | PTE Academic. Available at: https://pearsonpte.com/why-pte-academic.

New features
- Highlight text and make notes
- Copy & paste directly from your text and notes
- Browse forward and backward through your questions
- Automatic word count for your Writing test

Free practice materials
- Free practice tests
- Free coaching videos
- Free IELTS Masterclasses
- Free IELTS support tools
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