Most test takers repeat the whole test when only one skill is holding the score back. We diagnose which band is costing you, then work on exactly that.
A test taker who scores well in listening and reading but stalls in writing does not need more general English. They need the specific thing the writing band descriptors reward: task response, coherence, lexical range and grammatical accuracy, in that order of impact for most candidates.
So we start with a diagnostic across all four skills, identify the band that is dragging the overall score, and spend the coaching time there. That is usually the difference between another attempt at the same score and an actual improvement.
Task 1 and Task 2 for IELTS, and the summarise and essay tasks for PTE, marked against the official criteria.
Recorded practice with feedback on fluency, pronunciation and developing answers rather than stopping short.
Question-type strategy, skimming and scanning, and managing the clock.
The two tests reward different behaviour, and choosing the wrong one costs weeks. IELTS speaking is assessed by a human examiner and rewards natural, developed conversation. PTE is computer-scored and rewards clear, steady pronunciation, consistent pace and precise task completion, and it returns results faster.
| Factor | IELTS | PTE Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Speaking assessed by | A human examiner in conversation | Computer scoring of recorded responses |
| Results turnaround | Usually a few days to two weeks | Typically faster |
| Best suited to | Candidates comfortable in conversation | Candidates who prefer a predictable, rule-based format |
| Writing | Task 1 plus Task 2 essay | Summarise written text plus essay |
Half a band or its PTE equivalent is achievable for most candidates within four to eight weeks of focused work on one skill. A full band, or lifting from 6 to 7 across every skill, typically takes a term of consistent effort. We tell you which situation you are in before you book a test date.
A short assessment across all four skills to find the limiting band.
How many weeks your goal realistically needs, and what we would work on.
Weekly sessions with marked writing and recorded speaking feedback.
A full timed test before the real booking, so the day holds no surprises.
A free diagnostic across all four skills, with an honest view of the timeline your target needs.