Executive Summary
This report presents the findings of a comprehensive concordance study conducted in 2024 between the enhanced PTE Academic and IELTS Academic tests. Building upon previous studies, this research offers a more rigorous and data-driven analysis designed to support high-stakes academic, professional, and migration decision-making.
The enhanced PTE Academic retains its core structure while introducing two extended speaking tasks and improved scoring mechanisms, strengthening its alignment with real-world academic communication. A total of 1,522 participants completed both tests within a 90-day window under controlled conditions, ensuring robust and reliable comparisons.
Participants were recruited from India, China, Australia, and the United Kingdom, representing 54 nationalities and 43 first languages, and reflecting a broad range of English proficiency levels. Statistical analysis confirmed that the sample was highly representative of the global PTE test-taking population.
Using established psychometric methodologies, including equipercentile linking, the study produced updated concordance tables for overall scores and individual skills. These results offer institutions and policymakers a dependable framework for interpreting scores across both testing systems.
Introduction
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of this study is to establish an updated and empirically robust score concordance between the enhanced PTE Academic test and IELTS Academic. As both tests are widely accepted for higher education admissions, professional registration, and migration pathways, it is essential that stakeholders clearly understand how scores from one test relate to the other.
Earlier concordance research (Zheng & De Jong, 2011; Clesham & Hughes, 2020) provided foundational insights. However, changes in testing populations, preparation practices, and the introduction of enhancements to PTE Academic in July 2025 necessitated a fresh analysis.
The enhanced PTE Academic continues to assess all four language skills through a combination of integrated and single-skill tasks, aligning closely with contemporary language assessment theory and the CEFR framework.
Test Design and Construct Comparability
Independent construct comparison research conducted by CRELLA confirmed that PTE Academic and IELTS Academic measure highly comparable language constructs. Both tests target academic English proficiency across CEFR levels A to C and require similar cognitive processes such as inferencing, synthesis, and academic discourse production.
While differences exist (such as PTE’s integrated skills approach versus IELTS’s discrete skill sections) the overall academic language demands and performance expectations are substantially aligned, supporting the validity of score linking.
Methodology
The study employed a single-group, counterbalanced design, with participants completing both tests within an average interval of 18 days. All IELTS scores were verified using official score reports, and PTE Academic was administered under secure test conditions using its operational scoring model.
Participants were provided with official preparation materials for both tests to ensure fairness and test familiarity. Survey data confirmed that over 95% of participants actively prepared for both exams, reinforcing the reliability of the results.
Statistical Analysis and Findings
Reliability and Correlations
Both tests demonstrated high reliability coefficients, exceeding accepted thresholds for high-stakes assessments.
A strong correlation (r = 0.78) was observed between overall PTE Academic and IELTS Academic scores.
Skill-level correlations ranged from moderate to strong, supporting meaningful sub-score concordance.
Score Concordance
Using equipercentile linking, updated concordance tables were developed for:-
- Overall score
- Listening
- Reading
- Speaking
- Writing
The most reliable concordance ranges were observed between IELTS 5.5 and 8.0, where sample sizes were largest and standard errors were lowest.
Limitations
While the concordance findings are robust, score linking remains an approximate relationship. Differences in test formats, score scales, and score distribution patterns mean that concordance should be applied with professional judgment, particularly at the extreme ends of the score ranges.
Institutions are encouraged to consider standard error values and sample sizes when setting cut-off requirements.
Conclusion
This updated concordance study provides clear, data-backed evidence of the relationship between enhanced PTE Academic and IELTS Academic scores. With a large, representative sample and rigorous statistical methods, the findings offer a reliable reference point for universities, employers, and migration authorities worldwide.
For test takers, the results reaffirm that PTE Academic is a valid, internationally recognised alternative to IELTS Academic, offering precise score differentiation and strong alignment with academic language demands.
Ready to Achieve Your Target PTE Score?
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- Expert PTE trainers with proven results
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