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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.
| 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 |
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.
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.
The speaking section is often where test-takers feel the biggest difference between PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic.
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.
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 |
Each test reports scores differently, so you should not compare numbers directly without checking the relevant score guidance from your institutio or test provider.
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
Once you know which tests are accepted, compare the practical details in your location:
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.
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.
List your target institutions and visa authorities. Note the accepted tests and minimum scores for each one.
Shortlist the tests accepted by every place you are applying to. If one test covers all your requirements, it may be the simplest choice.
Compare format fit. Decide whether you prefer recorded speaking, a live interview, fully computer-based testing or a more traditional format.
Check timelines. Look at available test dates, result speed and retake options.
Try official practice materials. Complete a timed practice section before you commit, so you know how the test feels.
Book the test that best matches your deadline, strengths and application requirements.
PTE Academic is completed on a computer, including the speaking part of the test.
So make sure you are prepared by familiarizing yourself with the equipment you will use during your test. Reading these test tips and you will be fully prepared.
There are many ways you can improve your chances of gaining points in Part 2: Reading during PTE Academic.
To improve your reading skills, practice increasing your reading speed and comprehension at the same time. In turn, you will improve your writing, grammar and vocabulary skills.
To do well in this part of the test, you need to be able to read quickly, using effective reading strategies, as there is a limited time to answer all questions.
Speed reading tasks will help improve your reading speed. Practice speed reading every day and:
Aim to be reading at least 220 words per minute
Reading short articles of around 300 words
Read often for short periods of time
You can also try this as a challenge with your friends to help keep motivated. Once you are happy with your comprehension and speed, focus on chunks (groups of words) rather than individual words.
When your reading skills reach a level you are happy with, you will feel more confident to answer the questions.
In the Multiple-Choice, Single Answer question type, some test takers make the mistake of scan reading and matching the words in the text to the words in the answer. Generally, the words in the text are not used in the correct answer, therefore it is important to learn how to use synonyms and paraphrasing as it will be used in the test.
Learn how to improve your grammar in our Reading: Core Skills part 1 article.
In this question type, you will need more time than in the Multiple-Choice, Choose Single Answer question type, as you need to intensively read the stem (the part before the options) as well as the options, then scan read the text on the screen until you find the part of the text that contains information that was in the stem.
Read the options very carefully and match the meaning of the option with the text. Do not match the words – this is something test takers may make errors with.
You should also make sure not to choose all the options since you lose one point for each incorrect choice. However, you cannot score below zero.
To do well in the Re-order Paragraphs questions, you will need to have a strong understanding of cohesive devices and how they work. You will also need to understand how articles work, as well as the logical and chronological order of information.
In this question type, skim-read the text to get the ideas of the topic of the text. From there, you should read all the sentences carefully.
For both Fill in the Blanks and Reading & Writing: Fill in the Blanks question types, you will need to understand a range of vocabulary, collocations, grammar, pronouns, and cohesive devices, as well as being able to identify when plural nouns are needed.
You will also need to be able to skim read to get an idea of the meaning of the text, then read intensively before and after each blank. If unsure, you should guess based on the context.
Make sure you do not leave any spaces blank. You do not need to correctly fill in all spaces to get points.
To go back and review the question types within the reading test, we suggest learning more about the reading questions.
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?
Do you have your heart set on studying in England, Scotland, Wales, or Northern Ireland? The UK is a wonderful place to live and learn, but you’ll most likely need to get a UK study visa before you start packing your bags.
This comprehensive guide covers who needs a UK student visa, the requirements for getting one, how to apply, how much it costs, and how long it takes.
If you’re an international student hoping to study in the UK, you’ll most likely need a student visa. The only exceptions are nationals of Switzerland and countries in the European Economic Area (EEA), who don’t need a visa to enter the UK. *
* Please note: The outcome of Brexit may alter this after 2020. Check the UK government’s website for up-to-date information about this.
There are several UK study visa requirements you’ll need to meet to successfully apply. These include:
You’ve been offered a place in a full-time course from an eligible university (i.e. the school must be a licensed Student route visa*Tier 4 sponsors)
You can understand English (both written and spoken)
You have enough funds to support yourself and any dependants, while also paying for the course.
These requirements apply to students from all over the world. This means the UK student visa requirements for Indian students and American students are exactly the same for Chinese students and Australian students (and so on).
