PTE score chart
PTE is scored 10 to 90. Which chart you need depends on where you are going: PTE Academic converts to IELTS bands for study and Australia, PTE Core converts to CLB for Canadian immigration. They are different tests.
PTE Academic → IELTS
| IELTS | PTE Academic | What it unlocks |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 89 | |
| 8.5 | 84 | |
| 8.0 | 79 | Australia PR — superior English |
| 7.5 | 71 | |
| 7.0 | 63 | Australia PR — proficient English |
| 6.5 | 55 | Common university entry |
| 6.0 | 47 | |
| 5.5 | 39 |
Pearson revised this concordance in July 2025. IELTS 8.0 = PTE 79, 7.0 = PTE 63 and 6.5 = PTE 55 are the published anchors; half-bands between them are interpolated. Many charts online still show the old IELTS 7.0 = PTE 65. Confirm against Pearson before relying on it for a visa.
PTE Core → CLB (Canada)
| CLB | PTE Core | Per-skill / note |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 89+ | Maximum CRS language points |
| 9 | 82 | L 82–88 · R 78–87 · S 84–88 · W 88–89 |
| 8 | 71 | |
| 7 | 60 | Express Entry FSW minimum |
| 6 | 50 | |
| 5 | 42 |
IRCC accepts PTE Core, not PTE Academic, for economic immigration. Immigration rules change — confirm with IRCC before you file. Results must be under two years old on the date you apply.
Questions
What is PTE 79 in IELTS?
PTE 79 is about IELTS 8.0 on Pearson's current concordance. It is the score most people chase for Australian PR, because 79+ in every skill is the superior-English threshold worth the maximum points.
What is PTE 65 in IELTS?
Careful here — this is the most common outdated answer online. Pearson revised the concordance in July 2025, and IELTS 7.0 now sits at about PTE 63, not 65. Older charts still say 65. If a visa or university threshold matters to you, check Pearson's current table rather than a blog.
Do I need PTE Academic or PTE Core for Canada?
PTE Core, not PTE Academic. IRCC accepts PTE Core for economic immigration, and it maps to CLB on an official per-skill concordance. PTE Academic is the one used for study visas and for Australia. Booking the wrong one is the single most expensive mistake in PTE, because the result cannot be used for the application you booked it for.
What PTE Core score is CLB 9?
About 82 overall, with the per-skill requirement being roughly Listening 82–88, Reading 78–87, Speaking 84–88 and Writing 88–89 on Pearson's PTE Core concordance. CLB 9 is where the Comprehensive Ranking System awards substantially more points, so it is the realistic target for a competitive Express Entry profile.
Is PTE easier than IELTS?
PTE is fully computer-scored with no human examiner and no face-to-face speaking test, and results usually arrive within days. That suits people who freeze in an interview or who type quickly. It is stricter on pronunciation and fluency than most candidates expect, because a machine is measuring both continuously.
Knowing the number is the easy part. Take a free PTE mock test and get an AI score per task, or start with PTE Core if Canada is the goal.