PTE to IELTS Score Conversion Chart 2026

Choosing between the PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a crucial step when planning to study, work, or immigrate to English-speaking countries. Because the two tests have different structures and scoring scales, Pearson and various testing authorities regularly conduct concordance studies to provide equivalent score conversion systems.

This article by ECE English provides a detailed conversion table comparing PTE, IELTS, and other popular certificates, based on official data published by Pearson and immigration authorities up to 2026.

1. Overview of PTE Academic and IELTS Scoring Scales

To fully understand how the conversion works, test-takers need to grasp the scoring mechanics of each exam:

• IELTS Band Scale: Assesses proficiency across 9 bands, from 1.0 to 9.0. The Overall Score is calculated as the average of the four independent skills (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) and is rounded to the nearest 0.5 band.

• PTE Academic Scale: Uses a continuous scale from 10 to 90 points based on the Global Scale of English (GSE). Scores are automatically graded using computer algorithms and rounded to whole numbers, capturing subtle variations in a candidate’s language proficiency in greater detail.

2. The Most Accurate PTE to IELTS Conversion Table

In late 2020, Pearson released an updated concordance research report (PTE Academic and IELTS Academic Concordance Study Report) after analyzing data from over 6,000 test-takers. This study introduced two conversion systems: the Updated scale and the Original scale.

Below is the comparison table for Overall scores and the safe score ranges for communicative skills based on both systems:

3. Practical Application of the Updated and Original Conversion Scales Across International Organizations

The difference between Pearson’s Updated and Original scales primarily impacts two distinct score segments:

• In the intermediate score range (IELTS 4.5 – 6.5): The new scale tends to slightly lower the required PTE score. For example, to convert equivalently to an IELTS 6.0, the PTE milestone drops from 50 to 46. This creates more favorable conditions for students targeting university admission or vocational studies.

• In the high score range (IELTS 7.5 and above): The required PTE score increases noticeably. Typically, the equivalent benchmark for an IELTS 8.0 has been pushed from PTE 79 to PTE 84.

Current Acceptance Policies by Governments and Academic Institutions

• Migration and Visa Purposes: The Australian Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and Immigration New Zealand currently continue to apply the Original scale for skilled migration points. Benchmarks such as PTE 65 (equivalent to IELTS 7.0) and PTE 79 (equivalent to IELTS 8.0) remain the active legal standards.

• Academic Purposes: Many universities in the UK, Australia, and Canada have updated their admissions criteria based on Pearson’s Updated score range. Therefore, test-takers must check admission requirements directly on each specific institution’s website before registering for the exam.

4. Analysis of PTE’s Integrated Cross-Scoring Mechanism

A major distinguishing feature between the PTE and IELTS tests lies in how scores are distributed across skills.

• In the IELTS Test: Sections are independent. The grading for Writing is based solely on the Writing paper and is unaffected or supported by other skills.

• In the PTE Test: The computer-based format allows for cross-scoring mechanisms. Points from a single task type can contribute simultaneously to multiple communicative skills.

  • The Read Aloud task: Contributes scores to both Reading and Speaking.

  • The Repeat Sentence task: Contributes scores to both Listening and Speaking.

  • The Write from Dictation task: Makes a major score contribution to both Listening and Writing.

This mechanism suits candidates with uneven skill proficiencies (e.g., stronger Listening/Speaking reflex skills compared to academic essay writing), helping them optimize their Overall score better than the isolated skill assessment model of IELTS.

5. Conversion Reference Table: PTE to TOEFL, TOEIC, and Other Scales

Based on compiled data from specialized testing organizations like Exam English and EF Education First, PTE Academic scores can also be roughly compared to other certificate systems for employment and immigration purposes.

PTE Academic to TOEFL iBT and TOEIC Conversion Table

PTE Core to Canadian Immigration Standards (CLB) Conversion Table

For Canadian work and immigration streams, the PTE Core test is officially recognized by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and converted to Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) levels as follows:

CLB Level	Listening	Reading	Speaking	Writing
10	89 – 90	88 – 90	89 – 90	90
9	82 – 88	78 – 87	84 – 88	88 – 89
8	71 – 81	69 – 77	76 – 83	79 – 87
7	60 – 70	60 – 68	68 – 75	69 – 78
6	50 – 59	51 – 59	59 – 67	60 – 68
5	39 – 49	42 – 50	51 – 58	51 – 59
4	28 – 38	33 – 41	42 – 50	41 – 50

PTE Conversion to Vietnam’s 6-Tier Foreign Language Proficiency Framework (VSTEP)

For educational training and graduation evaluations within the Vietnamese market, PTE scores are referenced as equivalent to the national proficiency tiers:

• Tiers 1 & 2 (Elementary): Equivalent to PTE Academic scores from 10 to 42.

• Tiers 3 & 4 (Intermediate): Equivalent to PTE Academic scores from 43 to 75.

• Tiers 5 & 6 (Advanced): Equivalent to PTE Academic scores from 76 to 90.

6. Frequently Asked Questions About PTE Score Conversion (FAQ)

1. What IELTS score do a PTE 58 and PTE 65 equate to?

According to Pearson’s standard proficiency concordance table, a PTE Overall score of 58 is equivalent to an IELTS 6.5 (under both the old and new scales). Meanwhile, a PTE 65 benchmark equals an IELTS 7.0.

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