1. Overview of IELTS and PTEIELTS

The IELTS is one of the world’s most popular English language tests, jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and Cambridge Assessment English. It has two types: IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training.

• Academic: For students applying to universities or colleges.

• General: For immigration and work-related purposes.

PTE

The Pearson Test of English (PTE) is a computer-based English test accepted by thousands of institutions worldwide. Like IELTS, it offers PTE Academic and PTE General (although PTE Academic is more commonly used for Canadian study and immigration purposes).

2. Test Format and Structure

IELTS Format

• Listening (30 minutes): 4 sections with 40 questions.

• Reading (60 minutes): 3 passages with 40 questions.

• Writing (60 minutes): 2 tasks (essay and report/letter).

• Speaking (11–14 minutes): Face-to-face interview.

PTE Format

• Speaking & Writing (54–67 minutes): Integrated section with personal introduction, essay, and speaking tasks.

• Reading (29–30 minutes): Includes multiple-choice, re-ordering paragraphs, and fill-in-the-blanks.

• Listening (30–43 minutes): Summarize spoken text, multiple choice, and dictation.

Key Difference: IELTS uses human examiners for the speaking test, while PTE is fully computer-based.

3. Scoring System

IELTS Scoring

IELTS scores are given in bands from 1 to 9, in half-point increments. Your score is an average of the four sections.

• Example: Listening: 7.5, Reading: 8.0, Writing: 7.0, Speaking: 7.5 → Overall: 7.5

PTE Scoring

PTE scores are based on a scale of 10 to 90 using AI algorithms. It evaluates your performance using complex machine scoring.

• Example: Listening: 78, Reading: 82, Writing: 75, Speaking: 80 → Overall: 79

Note: PTE scoring is more detailed and precise due to AI-based evaluation.

4. Acceptance in Canada

For Study

Both IELTS and PTE Academic are widely accepted by Designated Learning Institutions (DLIs) in Canada.

However, IELTS Academic has been traditionally more recognized, especially for university admissions. As of 2025, more than 90% of Canadian universities accept PTE, including big names like:

• University of British Columbia

• University of Toronto

• McGill University

• University of Alberta

For Immigration

When it comes to immigration (Express Entry, PR, etc.), IELTS General Training is currently the most widely accepted test by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).

PTE Core (a new version introduced in 2023) is also accepted for immigration, including Express Entry and other PR streams.

5. Test Availability and Flexibility

IELTS

• Available in paper-based and computer-based formats.

• Speaking section is always in person.

• Available at over 1,600 test centers in 140+ countries.

PTE

• Entirely computer-based, including speaking.

• Typically available at Pearson-authorized test centers.

• Results usually released faster (within 2 business days).

Faster results give PTE a slight edge if you’re working with a tight deadline.

6. Difficulty Level – Which Is Easier?

This largely depends on your strengths.

Choose IELTS if:

• You are more comfortable speaking to a person than a computer.

• You prefer writing long answers by hand or typing.

• You are confident in managing different question types (especially in reading and writing).

Choose PTE if:

• You are tech-savvy and comfortable with computer-based exams.

• You have neutral pronunciation that can be picked up easily by AI.

• You prefer multiple short tasks over fewer lengthy ones.

Pro Tip: Try a few practice tests of both before choosing.

7. Test Fees in 2025

Here’s an approximate cost comparison in INR:

Prices may vary slightly by location and test center.

8. Test Preparation and Resources

IELTS:

• British Council & IDP offer free resources.

• More offline coaching options available.

• Multiple books, YouTube channels, and practice tests.

PTE:

• Pearson’s official prep tools and mobile apps.

• AI-based mock tests.

• Growing number of coaching institutes now offer PTE support.

Both offer a variety of official and third-party materials to prepare effectively.

9. Results and Validity

• IELTS: Results in 3–5 days (computer) or 13 days (paper).

• PTE: Results in 2 days (typically).

Both IELTS and PTE scores are valid for 2 years from the date of your test.

Final Verdict – Which Should You Choose?

Our Recommendation

If you’re applying for Canadian PR, IELTS General remains the safer choice due to wider acceptance.
If you’re targeting college or university admission, PTE Academic is equally accepted and offers a fast, fully digital experience.