IELTS vs PTE: Which is Easier? A Clear Guide for Test Takers in 2025

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Are you losing sleep about which one to choose when it comes to IELTS vs PTE? Thinking about "Which one is easier?". Don't worry. You are not alone! Countless students and professionals in India and across the globe face this question when they start their journey towards their plan to study or work abroad.

We will explore more into the differences between IELTS and PTE in this blog, including the score systems, test formats, and result speed, which will help you make the right decision about which exam will be a better fit for your goals and easier for you to succeed.

📚 What are IELTS and PTE?

Let's consider that you are planning to study or work abroad, and someone advises that you have to improve your English skills, and those marks are necessary to process the documents. That's where tests like IELTS and PTE come in. Both are standardized English proficiency tests recognized by foreign universities, immigration departments, and employers around the world.

Think of IELTS (International English Language Testing System) as the traditional route where students heading to Canada, the UK, Australia, New Zealand, and beyond have been using it.

Looking at the other side, PTE (Pearson Test of English) is the new tech-driven alternative, which is quick, digital, and gaining popularity in places like Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and increasingly in the UK and Europe.

If you are wondering about "IELTS vs PTE: Which is better?", you have come to the right place. Read on to understand how each of the tests works and which one is apt for you, depending on your goal.

🧪 IELTS vs PTE: Format Explained

Let’s compare the four modules in simple points so you understand how they’re tested in both exams:

1. Listening

  • IELTS: You listen to recordings and write answers manually or on a computer.
  • PTE: Listening is fully digital with multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, and audio-based summaries.
✅ If you are comfortable with interactive formats, PTE listening is often easier to navigate.

2. Reading

  • IELTS: Includes long academic passages with traditional question types like True/False/Not Given and matching headings.
  • PTE: Reading tasks are shorter and more interactive, like reordering paragraphs, filling in blanks, and multiple-choice questions.
✅ If reading is your weak area, PTE is generally considered easier, thanks to its shorter texts and AI evaluation style.

3. Writing

  • IELTS: You write two tasks, an essay and a letter or report (depending on the version).
  • PTE: You write a short summary of a paragraph and one essay.
✅ PTE is less time-consuming and uses a consistent format. No handwriting worries either, it’s all typed.

4. Speaking

  • IELTS: You have a one-on-one interview with a live examiner.
  • PTE: You speak into a microphone, and your responses are recorded and scored by a computer.
✅ If you’re shy or nervous about face-to-face interviews, PTE speaking is much easier for you.

🧠 How Do IELTS and PTE Scoring Systems Work?

When it comes to scoring, IELTS and PTE take very different approaches, and that can make a big impact on your test-taking experience.
  • With IELTS, each of the four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking ) is scored on a band scale from 0 to 9. Your final result is the average of these four bands, rounded to the nearest half-band.
  • PTE Academic, on the other hand, uses a point-based system from 10 to 90. All responses are evaluated by AI, which looks at accuracy, fluency, grammar, and vocabulary in real-time.
Both tests are equally accepted worldwide, but PTE gives you a faster turnaround and a tech-driven evaluation process.

🕒 IELTS vs PTE: Which Is Faster?

  • PTE results are available within 24 to 48 hours.
  • IELTS results take up to 13 days (faster if computer-based).
In case if you need quick results for the university you are applying to or you have a visa deadline, choosing PTE is the best option considering the speed of the result.

🗣️ Final Thoughts

Still considering which test is the easier one for you? Then the answer depends on your strengths and comfort with technology.

✅ Choose PTE if:

  • You’re good with computers and typing
  • You prefer automated scoring
  • You want your results quickly
  • You find reading long texts difficult
  • You’re applying to Australia, New Zealand, or Canada

✅ Choose IELTS if:

  • You’re more comfortable with pen and paper
  • You prefer speaking to a real examiner
  • You’re targeting the UK, Ireland, or traditional universities
  • You want offline test options in a remote location.
In short, if you’re tech-friendly, want faster results, and find reading a bit tough, then PTE is the easier exam for you. But if you’re more comfortable with traditional exam formats, IELTS might be a better fit.

At Medcity International Academy, we’ll guide you every step of the way with expert training for both IELTS and PTE. Contact us on +91 90480 59999 to know more about IELTS or PTE training.

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