How PTE differs from IELTS

PTE Academic tests the same four skills and administers them completely differently, and the difference suits some candidates and disadvantages others.

It is entirely computer marked. No human examiner. That removes the variability of a human speaking examiner, which many candidates prefer, and it means the scoring rewards exactly what the algorithm measures.

Speaking is to a microphone, not to a person. You speak into a headset in a room with other candidates doing the same. Some people find this far easier than sitting opposite an examiner, and others find the noise and the absence of a listener difficult.

Results are fast, usually within a few days rather than a couple of weeks, which matters when an application deadline is close.

It is integrated. One task assesses several skills at once: you listen to something and write a summary, which is marked for listening, writing and spelling together. This means a weakness in one skill pulls down scores that appear to be about another, and candidates are often confused by the score report as a result.

It is accepted by many universities and immigration authorities, and acceptance is not universal, so check the specific institution before booking anything.

Who it suits. Candidates comfortable with computers, people who find a human speaking examiner stressful, anybody needing fast results, and people with good pronunciation and fluency. Candidates with strong ideas but hesitant delivery often do better on IELTS.