The real differences
IELTS is widely accepted and has a human-graded speaking section with an examiner. PTE is fully computer-scored, often quicker to book and get results from, and rewards clear, steady delivery. TOEFL leans academic and is the default for many North American universities. Check your target universities' and visa authority's accepted list before you book anything.
There is no 'easiest' test — there's the one that fits how you perform. If a live examiner makes you freeze, PTE may suit you; if you're uncomfortable with heavily integrated tasks, IELTS may feel cleaner.
A four-week plan
Week 1: take a full diagnostic test, untimed, to find your weakest section. Week 2–3: drill that section daily and do one timed section from the others every day. Week 4: two full timed mocks under real conditions, then rest the day before.
Track band scores per section, not just the overall. You raise an overall score fastest by lifting your lowest band, not by polishing your best one.
Booking and re-takes
Book early — slots near deadlines fill up. If you need a re-take, most boards now offer single-skill re-tries, which is cheaper and faster than redoing the whole exam.
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