How are PTE and IELTS different? Here’s what you need to know

PTE Author
PTE Author
Image, teaching, 800px

Read Time: 6 minutes

PTE Academic is a real-world English test. This means it uses authentic source materials and a range of accents to assess natural real-world English proficiency. The test format is clearly structured, but students still need to understand the tasks in each section and know what they have to do to succeed on test day. 

The good news is that if you’re already used to preparing candidates for IELTS Academic, you’ll easily be able to adapt to help prepare them for their PTE Academic test. 

Let’s have a look at the similarities and differences between both tests and explore how you can adapt your test preparation classes for success in PTE Academic. 

The structure of the tests

The structure of PTE Academic and IELTS Academic is broadly similar. Both tests assess students on all four language skills: speaking, writing, reading and listening. The biggest difference in structure is that for PTE Academic there is just one two-hour computed-based test for all four skills. Whereas with IELTS Academic you need to book a separate face-to-face speaking test. More on that below. The order that skills are tested in, and the way the tasks are timed and organized, is also different:

Overall test structure

PTE Academic IELTS Academic
Listening: 30 - 43 minutes Listening: 30 minutes
Reading: 29 - 30 minutes Reading: 60 minutes
Speaking and Writing: 54 - 67 minutes (tested together) Writing: 60 minutes
  Speaking: 11 - 14 minutes
Test duration: Approximately 2 hours Test duration: Approximately 2 hours 45 minutes

The speaking sections of PTE Academic and IELTS Academic are quite different. Firstly, PTE Academic tests the integrated skills of speaking and writing, whereas with IELTS Academic these skills are tested separately.  

Secondly, the PTE Academic speaking section is completed on a computer (and is machine scored). This is in contrast to the IELTS Academic speaking section, which is done face to face with a human examiner. Many students taking PTE Academic report feeling less nervous about completing the speaking section on a computer. This is because they feel confident that it is their English skills that are being scored, and nothing else.

What’s more, because the PTE Academic speaking section is computer-based, the whole test can be completed on the same day in a single test session. In IELTS Academic, students may have to complete the speaking section on a different day – up to a week later.

Task types 

While some of the tasks within the tests might seem quite different, they often test the same skills. Let’s take a look:  

1. Writing 

In both PTE Academic and IELTS Academic, the 'Essay' tasks are very similar. This means you won’t need to adapt your preparation techniques much at all.

For the other writing task, the main point of difference between the tests is that PTE Academic asks students to summarize a written text, using a single sentence. For IELTS Academic, test takers must write a description/summary of a chart or graph: 

Writing

PTE Academic IELTS Academic
Speaking and Writing: 54 - 67 minutes Writing: 60 minutes
  • Task 1: Summarize Written Text - up to 75 words. Summarize a passage of text in one single sentence. Testing reading and writing.
  • Task 2: Essay - 20 - 40 minutes - 200- 300 words. Argumentative or persuasive essay.
  • Task 1: Written description or summary of a chart or graph - 150 words.
  • Task 2: Essay - 250 words. Point of view, argument or problem response.

There is also a great deal of overlap in the skills tested here. In order to score well in either test, students will need to: 

  • organize their sentences and paragraphs in a logical way

  • synthesize information for writing a summary

  • support an opinion with details, examples, and explanations

  • use correct grammar, spelling, and mechanics

  • use appropriate language for the context of their writing. 

2. Speaking  

The 'Describe Image' task in PTE Academic tests the same language abilities as the first writing task in IELTS Academic, where students are asked to describe a graph or chart. So you’ll be able to adapt your preparation technique for this task very easily. Students find it helpful to practise the 'Describe Image' task, so that they can become comfortable with the skill.

Speaking

PTE Academic IELTS Academic
Speaking and Writing: 54 - 67 minutes Speaking: 60 minutes

Multiple input texts - integrated tasks and skills tested.

5 item types - 25 - 33 questions:

  • Read Aloud
  • Repeat Sentence
  • Describe Image
  • Retell Lecture
  • Answer Short Question
Interview style in 3 parts. Number of questions may vary.
  • Task 1 - Introduction and interview
  • Task 2 - Long turn - speaking about a topic for 2 minutes
  • Task 3 - Discussion about task 2 topic, where examiner will ask questions related to the topic.

Both tests require students to speak fluently and use correct pronunciation, stress, and intonation. They’ll need to be capable of organizing an oral presentation in a logical way, and supporting their analysis of the image with details, examples, and explanations.

3. Reading 

The reading sections of IELTS Academic and PTE Academic differ in terms of structure and timing. In PTE Academic, students answer fewer questions over a significantly shorter time. There are more individual texts, but they’re shorter. Moreover, test takers are only asked one question per text. So, if they aren’t sure about the meaning of a text, they can move on to the next one, with more opportunities to demonstrate their proficiency. They won’t be asked five questions about one single text.

Learners will need to focus on the meaning of the text and be able to identify the main theme, purpose, and tone of the text. Skimming and scanning for information are also important skills, as is the ability to infer meaning. The best way to ensure success in this section is to make sure your students are reading widely and regularly.

Reading

PTE Academic IELTS Academic
Reading: 29 - 30 minutes Reading: 60 minutes

Multiple input texts - 13 - 18 questions

One reading text per question

Task types:

  • Multiple Choice (single and multiple answer)
  • Fill in the Blanks (two different types)
  • Reorder Paragraphs

3 input texts - 40 questions

One reading text, multiple questions

Task types:

  • Multiple choiceIdentifying information or writers' views or claims
  • Matching information or headings, features or sentence endings
  • Sentence completion or summary completion
  • Note or table, flow chart or diagram completion
  • Short answer

4. Listening  

The Listening sections in IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are significantly different. 

Listening

PTE Academic IELTS Academic
Listening: 30 - 43 minutes Listening: 30 minutes + 10 minutes

8 item types - 12 - 20 questionsIntegrated tasks (multiple skills tested).Recordings all from authentic academic sources.

Task types:

  • Summarize Spoken 
  • TextMultiple Choice (single and multiple answers)
  • Fill in the Blanks
  • Highlight Correct Summary
  • Select Missing Word
  • Highlight Incorrect Word
  • Write from Dictation

4 recordings - 40 questions

  • R1 - a conversation - two people set in an everyday social context
  • R2 - a monologue set in an everyday social context
  • R3 - a conversation between up to four people set in an educational or training context
  • R4 - a monologue on an academic subject

Task types include:

  • Multiple choice
  • MatchingPlan, map or diagram labelling
  • Form, note, table, flow chart or summary completion
  • Sentence completion
  • Short answer questions

IELTS Academic has conversations and monologues set in social contexts. In contrast, seven out of the eight PTE Academic recordings are from authentic academic sources. Similar to the Reading section, IELTS Academic has fewer recordings but more questions.

What’s more, the task types are quite different. Some of the IELTS Academic tasks require students to complete the sentence, label a map or diagram, and match answers. Some of the PTE Academic tasks ask students to highlight correct summaries, highlight incorrect words, and write from dictation.

Whether your students are working towards PTE Academic or IELTS Academic, you’ll be teaching them broadly similar skills. To score well in the Listening section, your learners will have to be able to listen for gist and for detail. They’ll need to identify words and phrases appropriate to the context. Note-taking skills can also contribute towards a student’s success. Therefore it’s important to make sure your learners are getting plenty of practice at taking notes of key, relevant information, while also listening for overall comprehension.

Smart Preparation resources

Smart Prep is a one-stop preparation portal where you can find everything you need to be confident and test ready for PTE Academic, PTE Core and PTE Home tests.

For PTE Academic this includes more information and links to:

  • Scored Practice Tests ($35.99 USD) — the closest you can get to the real test and scored in the same way, these five scored practice tests are perfect for giving an accurate indication of how you'll perform in the test.

  • Question Bank ($19.99 USD) — the Question Bank features 300 test questions, split by task type, as well as sample answers for the Speaking and Writing sections of the test.

  • The Official Guide to PTE Academic ($39.99 USD) — your official guide to PTE Academic with in-depth information and robust, practical advice on sitting each part of the test, along with an online practice bank of questions and additional online resources.

View our full range of free and paid preparation materials for PTE Academic.

Teacher resources

We also offer a huge number of helpful resources for teachers who are preparing students for the PTE Academic test. These include:

  • Our Teacher Preparation Pathway - A guide to all of our resources and a way for you to become more familiar with the test.

  • Classroom resources - Official coursebooks, free lesson plans, and our free PTE Academic preparation course outline are just some of the resources available to support your planning and teaching.

  • Teacher courses - We offer six, self-paced courses which can be accessed across devices, to support you anytime, anywhere.

View all PTE resources for teachers.

Ready to book?

Find a date and test center to suit you.

Book PTE Academic now

 

Related Content

  • Image- student, 1080px
    Scholarships for international students in Australia
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 4 minutes

    Dreaming of studying in Australia? It’s never too early to start planning financially. Tuition fees for international undergraduate students typically range from AUD 35,000 to AUD 55,000 per year, depending on the university, course of study, and location. For example, STEM and medical programs are generally more expensive than humanities or social sciences​. However, there are lots of scholarships available to help pay for your studies. 

    In this article, we’ll look at what funding is available for international students in Australia. By the end, you’ll have a list of resources to explore to find the scholarship that’s right for you.  

    Are you eligible for a scholarship? 

    Australia offers grants, bursaries, and scholarships to people from around the world – including undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, and vocational students. They’re funded by the government, universities, and private entities.  

    The Australian Government has an excellent scholarship search tool on its website. With it, you can search for funding opportunities based on a whole range of factors – like what country you come from, what university you’re attending, and your area and level of study. You’ll see how much each scholarship is worth, who it’s made for, and of course, whether you might be eligible.  

    Australian scholarship opportunities  

    Now, let’s cover a few scholarship opportunities for international students in Australia. 

    Australia Awards Scholarships 

    Australia Awards scholarships are offered to global student leaders from developing countries. They’re awarded by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and support students with full tuition, airfare, living costs, and more. In 2021, 818 Australia Awards were given to students from 20 countries worldwide.  

    Destination Australia Awards  

    The Australian government introduced the Destination Australia program to provide both local and international students with the opportunity to study in more regional and remote areas of Australia – towns such as Ballarat (Victoria), Gatton (Queensland), and Lismore (New South Wales). The scholarships are given out through Australian universities and provide students with up to $15,000 AUD each year.  

    University-specific scholarships 

    In addition to government-provided scholarships, universities also offer their own scholarships to qualifying international students. There’s the James Rice Postgraduate Award at The Australian National University (ANU); International Stand Out Scholarship at Bond University, and the Adelaide Refugee & Humanitarian Postgraduate Coursework Scholarship at University of Adelaide.

    The point is, universities offer lots of scholarships for international students based on a long list of eligibility factors – like home country, area of study, and academic merit. 

    To search for funding opportunities at your own institution, use the search tool on the Australian Government website.

    A case study: Monash University scholarships 

    To get an idea of all the different scholarships that can be offered by Australian universities, we’ll take a closer look at one popular institution for international students: Monash University.  

    Monash University is recognized for its research and teaching, and offer more than 80 scholarships to international students, including:   

    Universities throughout Australia offer similar scholarships.  

    To apply for any scholarship or funding opportunity, you’ll need to contact the scholarship provider.  

    Other ways to fund your studies 

    As an international student, there are other options to pay for your studies in Australia.   

    One of the biggest perks of studying in Australia is that international students can work up to 48 hours every two weeks while studying and unlimited hours during study breaks on an Australian student visa. The minimum wage is $24.10 per hour or $915.90 per week,  meaning you’ll be able to put some money aside to help fund your education.

     Depending on where you are from, you might also be able to get a student loan or scholarship from your own country to study overseas.  

    Last updated 20 December 2024.

    PTE Academic can support you on your journey abroad. Our computer-based, bias-free English language proficiency test is accepted by all universities in Australia – as well as by the Department of Home Affairs for all visa categories. 

    Learn more about PTE Academic in Australia.

  • Image- calculator-800px x451px
    Living expenses in the UK for international students
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Studying abroad in the UK can be expensive. International students need to budget for flights, tuition, textbooks, accommodation, and don’t forget the visa application.

    Of course, living costs in the UK for international students can vary depending on your lifestyle and where you live. So, in this blog, we’ll look at how much students in the UK spend on average each month – and explore how much it cost to live in a large city, compared to a smaller city.  

    Average student living expenses in the UK

  • Image- UK, 1080px
    Applying for the EU Settlement Scheme: what you need to know to get British citizenship
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 6 minutes

    At the beginning of this year, new Brexit-related rules went into effect in the UK and the EU.  They’ll have a big impact on immigration and travel – including on how people will be able to move to the UK to live, work and study. 

    If you’re an EU citizen—and started living in the UK before 2021—immigration rules won’t change for you until June. But after that, you might have to apply for the EU Settlement Scheme to stay in the country. 

    More than 4.3 million people have been approved for the scheme already. And, they’re on the path to receiving a British passport. With the EU Settlement Scheme, EU citizens can apply for British citizenship after 12 months. 

    In this blog, we’ll explore more about the scheme and how to apply for citizenship. We will also look at the English language requirements you’ll need to keep in mind as an EU citizen. 

    Keep in mind: We aren’t immigration agents. For the latest information and official updates, please visit the GOV UK website. 

    First, what is the EU Settlement Scheme?

    The EU Settlement Scheme is a program set up by the UK government. It allows EU, Swiss, and EEA citizens to keep living in the UK after June 2021. It’s free to apply, and once you do, you’ll be granted either: 

    • Settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK continuously for five years. You will be able to stay in the UK indefinitely provided you don’t leave the UK for 5 years consecutively.

    • Pre-settled status – You’ll get this if you’ve lived in the UK for less than five years. With pre-settled status, you’ll only be able to stay in the UK for another five years but can always apply for settled status later if you want to settle permanently. 

    With settled status, as we mentioned, you’ll also have the opportunity to apply for British citizenship. Although, many people have decided to apply for citizenship right away instead of going through the scheme – for example, if they have a British parent or spouse. 

    With citizenship, you’ll have the right to live permanently in the UK with a British passport, which means you’ll no longer be subject to immigration controls. You’ll also be able to work and study in the UK, sponsor your family members to migrate, access NHS healthcare, access public benefits and pensions  – and of course, vote in elections. 

    The Mayor of London’s website has a comprehensive FAQ on the EU Settlement Scheme. You can also find out more information on the official GOV UK page.

    How to apply for British citizenship 

    If you’re interested in applying for British citizenship, there are a few ways to do so. For example, you could be eligible if you: 

    • have a British civil partner or spouse;

    • were born in the UK;

    • have a British parent;

    • have settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme. 

    The requirements for citizenship are often different, depending on why you’re applying and how you’re eligible. But if you’re applying under the EU Settlement Scheme, in most circumstances you’ll have to show you: 

    • have been living in the UK for more than five years and will continue to do so;

    • are of good character;

    • have passed the Life in the UK Test, which consists of 24 questions on British traditions;

    • are knowledgeable in English, Welsh, or Gaelic. You will also need to take an approved English test for UK citizenship.

    Learn more about how to apply for British citizenship with the scheme here.