The Short Answer
If you are applying for an Australian student visa and want fast results, choose PTE Academic. If your target university specifically requires IELTS, or if you are applying to UK institutions where IELTS is more consistently accepted, choose IELTS. Both are fully accepted for Australian and UK student visas.
Price Comparison in Nepal (2026)
| Test | Official Price (NPR) | finduni.ai Price (NPR) | You Save |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic Computer (IDP) | 33,000 | 32,000 | 1,000 |
| IELTS Academic Computer (BC) | 33,000 | 32,500 | 500 |
| IELTS Academic Paper (IDP and BC) | 36,200 | 35,200 | 1,000 |
| PTE Academic | 36,500 | 31,000 | 5,500 |
| Duolingo English Test | 10,500 | 8,500 | 2,000 |
PTE Academic offers the largest saving at NPR 5,500. Book either test through finduni.ai/booking.
Results Speed
| Test | Result Time |
|---|---|
| PTE Academic | 5 business days |
| IELTS Computer-delivered | 3-5 business days |
| IELTS Paper-based | 13 calendar days |
If your visa or offer letter deadline is tight, PTE Academic or IELTS Computer-delivered are both fast. Paper-based IELTS takes the longest.
Test Format Differences
| Feature | IELTS Academic | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper or Computer | Fully Computer |
| Speaking | Face-to-face with examiner | Recorded on computer |
| Duration | ~2h 45min | ~2h |
| Score scale | 1-9 band | 10-90 points |
| Sections | Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking | Same 4 skills, integrated |
Some students find PTE less stressful because the speaking section is recorded vs a live examiner. Others prefer IELTS because the format is more familiar.
Which is Accepted Where?
| Country / Visa | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500) | ✓ Accepted | ✓ Accepted |
| UK Student Visa (UKVI) | ✓ IELTS UKVI | ✓ PTE Academic UKVI |
| Canada Student Permit | ✓ Accepted | ✓ Accepted |
| New Zealand Student Visa | ✓ Accepted | ✓ Accepted |
| USA (F-1 Student Visa) | ✓ Accepted by most universities | ✓ Accepted by most universities |
PTE or IELTS for Australia specifically
Both PTE Academic and IELTS Academic are fully accepted for the Australian student visa (Subclass 500), so neither test gives you a visa advantage. The practical differences are speed and price: PTE results typically arrive in 2 days, while IELTS takes 3-13 days depending on format. Through finduni.ai, PTE costs NPR 31,000 versus IELTS from NPR 32,000.
Many Australian universities accept both tests equally for admission, so the right choice comes down to your test-taking style. If you are comfortable speaking to a computer and want results fast, choose PTE. If you prefer a face-to-face speaking test and a familiar format, choose IELTS. Take a free practice test in both formats before booking.
Minimum Score Requirements for Australia
For the Australian student visa (Subclass 500), there is no universal minimum English score; universities set their own. Common benchmarks:
- IELTS: Most undergraduate courses require 6.0 overall (no band below 5.5). Many postgraduate courses require 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0).
- PTE: Undergraduate courses often require 50 overall. Postgraduate courses often require 58 overall.
Always check your specific course requirements on the university website.
Which is Harder for Nepali Students?
There is no objective answer. Difficulty is personal. However, common feedback from Nepali students:
- PTE Speaking: some find it easier without a live examiner watching them; others find the computer format awkward.
- IELTS Reading: longer passages can be challenging under time pressure.
- PTE Writing: integrated tasks combine listening + writing, which requires practice.
Take a full practice test for both and see which format you score better in before committing.
Our Recommendation
- Studying in Australia? PTE Academic: faster results, equally accepted, often easier to score higher with practice.
- Studying in the UK? IELTS UKVI: more consistently accepted across UK universities.
- Applying to multiple countries? IELTS: broader universal recognition.
- Tight timeline? PTE Academic or IELTS Computer-delivered: both give results in under 5 days.