PTE vs IELTS vs TOEFL: Which English test is right for you?

Reading time: 7 minutes

If you’re applying to study, work or migrate abroad, you may need to prove your English level with an accepted test. PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are three of the most widely used English proficiency tests, and all assess speaking, writing, reading and listening.

Short answer: start with acceptance. Choose a test your university, employer or visa authority accepts for your exact application. If more than one option works, compare the test format, speaking style, result speed, score requirements and available test dates before you book.

See who accepts PTE

PTE vs TOEFL vs IELTS: quick comparison

Factor PTE Academic TOEFL iBT IELTS Academic
Format Fully computer-based Computer-based, at a test center or home where available Computer-delivered in many markets; speaking is typically with an examiner
Approximate length About 2 hours About 2 hours About 2 hours 45 minutes
Speaking section Recorded by microphone Recorded by microphone Live speaking test with an examiner
Scoring scale 10–90 0–120 0–9 bands
Result speed Usually within 2 days Available in your ETS account 3 days after the test date Often 1–5 days for computer-delivered testsaper where still available

1. Which test is accepted where you are applying?

Before comparing test features, check whether each test is accepted by the university, college, employer or visa authority you are applying to.  

This will help you narrow it down your search as the most important thing is that an English test meets your application requirements.

Headline acceptance numbers can be helpful, but they are not always directly comparable. Some providers count organizations, while others focus on academic institutions. The more useful question is: which test is accepted for your exact course, country and visa route?

PTE Academic is accepted by thousands of universities and colleges worldwide and is recognized for study and migration routes in major destinations including Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Canada and the US.

TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic are also widely accepted globally. Always confirm the accepted test type and minimum score directly with the institution or official visa authority before you book your test.

Who accepts PTE?

2. Which test format suits you best?

Format matters because the way you are assessed can affect how confident and comfortable you feel on test day.

  • PTE Academic: a single computer-based test taken at a test center in one session across all four skills. Speaking responses are recorded through a microphone.

  • TOEFL iBT: a computer-based test, with recorded speaking responses.

  • IELTS Academic: listening, reading and writing may be computer-delivered, while the speaking test is usually a live interview with an examiner.

If you prefer a fully computer-based experience and would rather speak into a microphone than sit opposite an examiner, PTE Academic or TOEFL iBT may feel more natural. If you prefer a conversational speaking test with a person, IELTS Academic may suit you better.

3. How does the speaking section differ between PTE, IELTS and TOEFL?

The speaking section is often where test-takers feel the biggest difference between PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic.

  • PTE Academic and TOEFL iBT: you speak into a microphone and your responses are recorded.  
  • IELTS Academic: you usually complete a live speaking test with an examiner. Some people find recorded speaking less stressful because there is no face-to-face interaction. Others prefer the rhythm of a live conversation.

There is no right or wrong preference. The best option is the one that lets you show your English clearly under your preferred test conditions.

4. Which test provides the fastest results?

If you are working toward an application or visa deadline, result turnaround can be one of the biggest deciding factors.

PTE Academic results are typically available in two business days, TOEFL iBT scores are available in your ETS account 3 days after the test date, and IELTS on computer results are available in 1–5 days.

Test Typical result turnaround  
PTE Academic 2 days  
TOEFL iBT Available in your ETS account 3 days after the test date  
IELTS Academic Often 1–5 days for computer-delivered tests; paper-based results may take longer where still available
  

5. How do PTE, IELTS and TOEFL scores compare? 

Each test reports scores differently, so you should not compare numbers directly without checking the relevant score guidance from your institutio or test provider.

  • PTE Academic: scored on a 10–90 scale.
  • TOEFL iBT: scored from 0–120, with each section scored out of 30.
  • IELTS Academic: scored on a 0–9 band scale, usually reported in half-band increments.

If you are close to a required threshold, pay particular attention to the score your chosen institution asks for in each section. Some applications require both an overall score and minimum scores in speaking, writing, reading and listening.

Learn more about how PTE Academic is scored compared to other tests

6. What practical considerations should you check before booking your English proficiency test?

Once you know which tests are accepted, compare the practical details in your location:

  • Available test dates
  • Distance to the nearest test center
  • Total cost in your country
  • Whether at-home testing is available and accepted for your purpose
  • Retake rules and how quickly you can book again if needed
  • How scores are sent to institutions

A test with faster results or more frequent booking may be a better fit if your deadline is close. If your timeline is more flexible, format and preparation style may matter more.

So, which English proficiency test is right for you?

PTE Academic may suit you if...

  • You want a fully computer-based test.

  • You are comfortable speaking into a microphone.

  • You need results quickly.

  • You prefer a single test session.

  • You are applying somewhere that accepts PTE Academic for your course, job or visa route.

TOEFL iBT may suit you if...

  • You are applying to institutions that specifically request or strongly recognize TOEFL iBT.

  • You are comfortable with academic-style tasks and recorded speaking.

  • You want a test that is widely used for university admissions, especially in the US and other international study destinations.

IELTS Academic may suit you if...

  • Your target institution or visa authority asks for IELTS Academic.

  • You prefer a live speaking test with an examiner.

  • You are comfortable with the IELTS band score system.

  • You want broad recognition across study, work and migration contexts.

How to choose between PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic

  1. List your target institutions and visa authorities. Note the accepted tests and minimum scores for each one.

  2. Shortlist the tests accepted by every place you are applying to. If one test covers all your requirements, it may be the simplest choice.

  3. Compare format fit. Decide whether you prefer recorded speaking, a live interview, fully computer-based testing or a more traditional format.

  4. Check timelines. Look at available test dates, result speed and retake options.

  5. Try official practice materials. Complete a timed practice section before you commit, so you know how the test feels.

  6. Book the test that best matches your deadline, strengths and application requirements.

Related Content

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    Listening: Core English Skills Part 1
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    The last part of PTE Academic, Part 3: Listening, requires a large combination of core skills.

    The very first skill you will need to develop involves how you listen (listening methods).

    Below, is information on different types of listening and where you may need to use them during PTE Academic.

    Listening Methods

    Predicting

    One of the listening methods you will need to develop is predicting. Before listening, most people will have some idea about what they are going to listen to and prepare themselves for it. They predict.

    It helps to think about the recordings before you hear it spoken, it helps you listen more effectively.

    This listening method will help during Select Missing Word questions as the topic of the text you listen to is given in the instructions. It will also help in the Re-tell Lecture questions as the image will give you an idea of the general context of the listening text.

    Listening for Gist

    Listening for ‘gist’ will allow you to understand the general meaning of a text quickly. When someone is talking, listen in a general way and think about what the speaker is trying to communicate and how they might feel about the topic based on their tone of voice.

    When practicing, try to listen for the gist before listening for a second time more intensively for specific information.

    This reading method will help in the Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer and Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer questions. Remember in PTE Academic you can not replay the listening track.

    Listen for Specific Information

    You will also need to be able to listen effectively to find specific information. This is more detailed listening and is often used when you need to answer comprehension questions. You first need to understand what information you are looking for in the text.

    When practicing, if you listen to a text that does not have questions write some yourself. Questions that may help could be:

    • What happened?

    • When did it happen?

    • Where did it happen?

    • Why did it happen? Or, why did it happen in this way, and not another way?

    While listening for specific information, you should listen for synonyms and paraphrasing to match the meaning of the text with the meaning of the questions.  This is because you will not hear the exact words in the question.

    Listening to Infer Meaning

    At times you can understand what the speakers are saying by inferring meaning, as the information is not always stated by the speakers.

    To infer meaning, you need to listen for clues in the text or use general knowledge to guess the meaning of what the speakers are saying. Do this by working out the relationship between the speakers, the tone of voice or the words they use.

    You may need to use this listening method in the Multiple-choice, Choose Multiple Answer and Multiple-choice, Choose Single Answer questions.

    In addition to listening methods, you will also need to understand how words are pronounced on their own and together in a sentence. Read more about pronunciation in Part 2 of Core English Skills.

    Want more prep ideas?

    Explore Smart Prep, which combines all our practice materials in one place, so it's easier for you to stay on track with your PTE preparation.

    • Smart Prep is a clear path to test day, guiding you through the official paid and free resources available for your test

    • It can be accessed whether you’ve booked a test or not – just create, or sign in to your myPTE account

    • Preparation materials include guided practice tests, introductory videos, video courses and test tips.

    Ready to get started?

  • Image- Reading
    Reading: Core English skills part 2
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Once you have practiced and improved your grammar and vocabulary, for Part 2: Reading in PTE Academic, you will need to learn reading methods and the different styles of writing.

    As the PTE Academic is an integrated skills test, the skills developed will be applicable to most sections of the test.

    Firstly, the reading methods you will need to learn and develop are:

    Skim Reading

    By quickly moving your eyes over the text you will be able to get the general meaning of the text. This is the fastest way to understand the text’s meaning.

    Scan Reading

    The fastest way to locate specific information in a text is to scan read. Scan reading helps you find the keywords in a text. Once you find the section of text needed, slow down and read intensively until you understand the information needed to answer the question.

    Intensive Reading

    Intensive reading is done at a slower pace and more carefully. After using scan reading to find the section of text containing the answer you need, you will then need to read intensively to locate the specific information required to answer the question.

    If you are unable to answer the question from the section read, go back to scan reading the whole text to find the correct section, then intensively read that section.

    Critical Reading

    To read critically, you need to think more deeply about what you are reading to understand the text at a deeper level. You will then be able to identify the writer’s purpose, as well as the organization of the text in order to make inferences or understand the textual value.

    You may have to read critically to answer the reading questions Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer and Multiple-Choice, Choose Multiple Answers. You may also need this skill to answer the writing question Summarize Written Text, as you will score zero points if you don’t correctly identify the purpose of the text.

    The last question type this skill is used for is the listening question Highlight Correct Summary, as you may need to clarify and organize information to identify the correct summary of the text heard.

    You will also need to be able to identify the style of writing used in the reading texts throughout the test.

    Style of Writing

    For PTE Academic, you will need to understand the style or register of English texts. The style or register refers to the way in which text, that has the same meaning, can be written in different ways.

    When writing, you will need to be able to choose the appropriate words to fit the correct style of the text, as well as understand the style of texts you are reading. For example, an email to your friend will be in an informal style. However, a journal article will be in the academic style. Abstract ideas are also usually written in the academic style.

    Two or three-part verbs (phrasal and prepositional verbs) are generally informal while Latinate verbs are formal, or academic. For example, find out (informal), pick up on (informal) and discover (formal or academic).

    You will need to be able to understand not just the meaning but also the style of a text for the Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks questions.

  • Image- a model in front of Big Ben - 800px x 451px
    What PTE Academic score will I need to study in the UK?
    By PTE Author
    Reading time: 5 minutes

    Are you thinking about studying in the UK? If so, you’re not alone. Each year, over 500,000 international students enrolled at a UK university. In fact, after the United States, the UK is the second most popular destination for higher education students.  

    UK universities are renowned for excellent teaching and cutting-edge research, and UK degrees are highly valued by academics and employers worldwide. But to study there, you’ll need to demonstrate you have an appropriate level of English.  

    Our PTE Academic secure language test is accepted by nearly every university in the UK – as well as for all immigration applications. So, what score will you need to earn a spot in a university? Let’s find out:  

    What it’s like to study in the UK

    When it comes to world rankings, UK universities consistently perform well. According to this year’s QS World University Rankings, four of the top 10 universities around the globe are located in the UK.  

    Going to a UK university isn’t just a good move as far as your education goes. It’s also a great way to immerse yourself in a new culture and meet lots of different people.  

    The UK is small, but it’s also very diverse. This means your student experience will be quite different, depending on whether you choose to study in a big multicultural city like London or Glasgow, or a smaller university town like St. Andrews or Exeter.  

    The amount of money you’ll need to study in the UK will also vary. Student fees differ from institution to institution. At the same time, your accommodation and day-to-day living expenses will depend on where your university is located.  

    Check out our guide on the cost of living in the UK.

    English language requirements  

    To secure a student visa and attend a UK university, you’ll need to prove you have the English speaking, reading, writing and listening skills needed to succeed in your studies.

    The PTE Academic English test is accepted by 99% of universities across the UK.

    Still, each has slightly different entry requirements. But as a general UK government rule, for programs below degree level – such as a  foundation program – you will need to demonstrate a CEFR B1 level of English. For programs at degree level and above, you will need to demonstrate CEFR B2 level of English.

    How does PTE Academic scoring work? 

    PTE Academic provides transparent and easy to understand scoring. After taking the test you will receive an overall English score, as well as see how you performed in the Listening, Reading, Speaking, and writing areas of the exam.  

    You’ll also get a: 

    • Grammar score

    • Spelling score

    • Oral Fluency score

    • Vocabulary score

    • Written Discourse score

    If you’re happy with your results, you can assign your scores to the universities or institutions you are applying to directly from the myPTE account you created when registering. If you want to improve your scores, you can re-book the test after some more practice.  

    Find out how PTE Academic scoring compares with other English tests.