Score Guide
PTE Score Chart: Convert PTE Scores to IELTS, CEFR and TOEFL
See exactly how your PTE Academic score maps to IELTS bands, CEFR levels, and TOEFL so you know whether you have hit your target.
By PTEAce Team · June 3, 2026 · 9 min read
Your PTE Academic score is reported on a scale of 10 to 90, but the requirement you are chasing is often written in IELTS bands or CEFR levels. This guide gives you clean conversion charts so you can instantly translate your PTE score into the scale your university or visa uses.
A quick note before the tables: these conversions are based on published concordance research and are a guide only. Universities and immigration authorities set their own exact requirements, so always confirm the official cut-off for your specific program.
PTE Academic to IELTS Conversion Chart
This is the most requested conversion, since many requirements are still written in IELTS bands.
| PTE Academic | IELTS Band |
|---|---|
| 89-90 | 9.0 |
| 84-88 | 8.5 |
| 79-83 | 8.0 |
| 73-78 | 7.5 |
| 65-72 | 7.0 |
| 58-64 | 6.5 |
| 50-57 | 6.0 |
| 43-49 | 5.5 |
| 36-42 | 5.0 |
| 30-35 | 4.5 |
The numbers most people need to remember:
- PTE 79 is about IELTS 8.0 (often required for the highest immigration points)
- PTE 65 is about IELTS 7.0 (a very common university and visa requirement)
- PTE 58 is about IELTS 6.5 (a common undergraduate requirement)
- PTE 50 is about IELTS 6.0
PTE to CEFR Level Conversion
The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) describes proficiency from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). Here is how PTE Academic maps to it.
| PTE Academic | CEFR Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 85-90 | C2 | Proficient, near native |
| 76-84 | C1 | Advanced |
| 59-75 | B2 | Upper intermediate |
| 43-58 | B1 | Intermediate |
| 30-42 | A2 | Elementary |
| 10-29 | A1 | Beginner |
Most universities expect at least B2 (PTE 59 and above), and competitive programs often want C1 (PTE 76 and above).
PTE to TOEFL iBT (Approximate)
TOEFL iBT is scored from 0 to 120. The mapping below is approximate and useful for a rough comparison only.
| PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT |
|---|---|
| 84-90 | 114-120 |
| 76-83 | 102-113 |
| 65-75 | 85-101 |
| 58-64 | 72-84 |
| 50-57 | 60-71 |
How to Read Your PTE Score Report
Your PTE score report shows more than one number, and understanding each part helps you target your weak areas.
- Overall score: Your single headline score from 10 to 90.
- Communicative skills: Separate scores for Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
- Enabling skills: Grammar, Oral Fluency, Pronunciation, Spelling, Vocabulary, and Written Discourse.
Many visa programs require a minimum in each of the four communicative skills, not just the overall score. For example, you might have an overall 79 but still fall short if one skill is below the required level. Always check whether your requirement is for the overall score or for each skill.
What Score Should You Aim For?
| Goal | Typical PTE Requirement |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate study | 50 to 58 overall |
| Postgraduate study | 58 to 65 overall |
| Competitive programs | 65 to 79 overall |
| Proficient English (immigration) | 65 in each skill |
| Superior English (immigration) | 79 in each skill |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is PTE 79 in IELTS? PTE 79 is approximately IELTS 8.0. This is the level often required for the maximum English points in skilled migration.
What PTE score equals IELTS 6.5? About PTE 58. This is a common requirement for undergraduate admission.
Is the PTE to IELTS conversion official? The conversions are based on published concordance research and are widely used as a guide. The final requirement is always set by the institution or immigration authority, so confirm their exact cut-off.
Does my overall PTE score matter more than individual skills? It depends on your goal. Universities often look at the overall score, while immigration programs usually require a minimum in each skill. Read your requirement carefully.
Want to know where you stand? Take a free PTE practice test, get a scaled score estimate, and use this chart to see exactly how close you are to your target.
Tags: PTE score chart, PTE to IELTS, PTE CEFR, PTE score conversion