IELTS or PTE: Which Test Should You Take If You're Studying Abroad From Mumbai?
If you're a Mumbai student planning to study in the UK, USA, Canada, or Australia, one of the first decisions you'll face is which English proficiency test to take. This guide breaks down IELTS and PTE by format, cost, results timeline, and what universities in each destination actually accept — so you don't waste time or money on the wrong test.
Before you book either test, check the specific English requirement listed on your shortlisted university's official admissions page. Requirements can vary by course, even within the same university.
Quick answer: which one should you pick?
If you want fast results, prefer typing over handwriting, and feel more comfortable speaking into a microphone than across a table from an examiner — PTE is usually the better fit. If your target universities are in Canada (where IELTS is still preferred almost everywhere), or you simply do better in a structured, face-to-face speaking format — IELTS is the safer choice.
There's no universally "easier" test. The right one depends on your destination, your strengths, and how soon you need the score. The sections below walk through exactly that.
Format and structure: how the two tests differ
| Factor | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Test mode | Paper-based or computer-delivered | Fully computer-based |
| Speaking format | Face-to-face with a human examiner | Recorded into a microphone, AI-scored |
| Total duration | Around 2 hours 45 minutes | Around 2 hours |
| Scoring scale | Band 1 to 9 | 10 to 90 |
| Results timeline | 3 to 13 days | Within 48 hours |
| Test frequency in Mumbai | Multiple centres, several dates monthly | Multiple centres, several dates monthly |
Why the speaking format actually matters
This is the single biggest difference students underestimate. In IELTS, you're speaking with a real examiner who can pick up on natural conversation cues, follow-up questions, and tone. In PTE, you're speaking into a microphone in a quiet room with no human feedback — many students find this more stressful initially, but others find it removes the anxiety of being "judged" in person. Think about which environment brings out your better English, not which one sounds easier on paper.
Which universities accept which test?
This is where destination matters most. Acceptance has shifted significantly over the past few years, and PTE is now accepted far more widely than it used to be — but there are still exceptions.
Cost and timeline in Mumbai
Both tests are priced similarly and available frequently at Mumbai test centres, but the turnaround time can change your application strategy.
- IELTS fee: Approximately ₹17,000, with results in 3–13 days depending on format
- PTE fee: Approximately ₹16,000–₹18,500, with results typically in 48 hours
- If you're applying close to an intake deadline, PTE's faster turnaround can be the deciding factor regardless of which test you'd otherwise prefer
So which one is actually easier for Mumbai students?
From our counselling experience working with students across Mumbai, a few patterns hold up consistently:
- Students from an English-medium school background often perform marginally better on PTE, since the test rewards quick, fluent typing and reading-speed under time pressure.
- Students who are more comfortable with spoken English than written tend to do better in IELTS's face-to-face speaking round, where natural conversation skills are rewarded over typing speed.
- First-time test takers sometimes find PTE's strict timing and no-pause format more stressful than IELTS's more conversational pacing.
There is no test that is objectively easier — only the one that plays to your strengths. A short diagnostic mock test (which we run free at our Mumbai centre) is the fastest way to know which one suits you.
How Search Education's in-house coaching helps
Search Education runs in-house IELTS and PTE coaching at our Mumbai office, designed specifically around your target score and application deadline — not a generic batch schedule. Our approach includes:
- A free diagnostic test to identify whether IELTS or PTE suits your skill profile before you spend money on either
- Small batch sizes with focused attention on weak modules
- Unlimited mock tests under exam-day conditions
- Direct handoff to our counselling team once you hit your target score — so your test prep and university application move in parallel, not one after the other
Explore study options by destination
Frequently asked questions
Not sure which test suits you?
Take a free 15-minute diagnostic with our Mumbai counselling team and find out whether IELTS or PTE is the faster path to your target score.