This paper describes an analysis of assessments on a preparatory, English for academic study (EAS) programme at a New Zealand university and of IELTS tests. The university accepts students with the required Band 6 overall in IELTS, and also those who graduate from the EAS programme with Grade B and above for its undergraduate programmes. Other institutions also accept this EAS certificate as evidence of English language proficiency. However, as far as we are aware there has been no formal comparative study of the points of similarities and areas of divergence between IELTS and such programmes. The identification of similarities and differences allows for a detailed profile of the knowledge, skills, and competencies acquired by students who successfully complete such pre-sessional programmes, as compared with students who have completed an IELTS preparation programme. It is anticipated that the information provided, will be of benefit to academic English and literacy practitioners.