PTE to IELTS Score Conversion and Comparison

IELTS and PTE tests assess the English language proficiency of candidates for university admissions or immigration to Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA and UK. Many universities prefer IELTS or PTE or PTE to IELTS score conversions based on their policies. This conversion score is applicable for PTE test takers who couldn’t take IELTS or did not qualify. Also, the PTE score in bands helps to evaluate the test taker's English language proficiency level.

PTE and IELTS have different scoring methodology, PTE Academic (PTE-A) is scored against ‘Global scale of English-a granular score scale range from 10 to 90, while IELTS score band range is from 1 to 9. The overall score is the average of individual subskills scores (listening, speaking, reading & writing).

The following is a simplified IELTS to PTE score conversion. Check here for PTE score in band -section-wise full conversion table

PTE-A	40.8	45.4	51.6	58.5	66.3	74.6	82.3	88.1
IELTS	5	5.5	6	6.5	7	7.5	8	8.5

This blog includes

• Why PTE to IELTS Score Conversion
• Converting PTE Score to IELTS Band Score
• PTE to IELTS Band Comparison
• What is the difference between PTE and IELTS Exam?
• PTE Score in Bands

Why PTE to IELTS Score Conversion?

Universities and Test Organisations accepted PTE to IELTS converted scores to help students who had invested significant time, effort and resources in preparing for one type of exam. Most Universities recognised that although both the exams differ in format and grading, they test for the same which is English language proficiency. For international students seeking admission, some universities accept PTE to IELTS converted scores.

Converting PTE Score to IELTS Band Score

The two different methods to test candidates' English language proficiency are IELTS and PTE. The table given below shows PTE to IELTS score conversions.

PTE - A Score Range	IELTS Band Score
86 & above	9
83-85	8.5
79-82	8
73-78	7.5
65-72	7
59-64	6.5
51-58	6
43-50	5.5
35-42	5
30-34	4.5

PTE to IELTS Band Comparison

Let's take a look at this simple PTE to IELTS Band Comparison, making it easy to understand English proficiency tests.

PTE Academic	IELTS Band Score	Band Description
86-90	9	Expert
83-86	8.5	Very Good
79-83	8	Very Good
73-79	7.5	Good
65-73	7	Good
58-65	6.5	Competent
50-58	6	Competent
43-50	5.5	Modest
36-43	5	Modest
30-36	4.5	Limited
22-30	4	Limited

Official Concordance Table between IELTS and Pearson PTE- Updated in 2021

IELTS Band Score	PTE-A (overall)	PTE-A (listening)	PTE-A (reading)	PTE-A (speaking)	PTE-A (writing)
8.5	88.1	84.7	83.7	85.5	89.5
8	82.3	79.4	78.4	80.9	89.4
7.5	74.6	73.9	73.7	75.3	87.5
7	66.3	66.2	67.6	65.3	82.3
6.5	58.5	56.8	60.6	53.5	74.1
6	51.6	48.1	53.5	46.2	62.2
5.5	45.4	42.7	47.9	42.2	51
5	40.8	40.2	43	40.2	43.1

What is the difference between PTE and IELTS Exam?

• Test modes: In IELTS, candidates can choose between paper based and computer based tests, whereas PTE can only be given on a computer. Hence, applicants who are uncomfortable using computers prefer the IELTS test.
• Test duration: The duration of the IELTS exam is 2.45 hours, and the PTE exam is 2.15 hours.
• Exam pattern: Questions in the PTE exam are integrated and involve a combination of reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. In contrast, IELTS evaluates each section separately without linking them.
• Evaluation assessment: PTE uses artificial intelligence to award scores (offering an error free approach), whereas IELTS is evaluated manually. For speaking test assessment, candidates speak into the microphone in the PTE exam, and in IELTS, they will have to face the examiner to demonstrate skills.

PTE Score in Bands

Recently, Pearson released a new report comparing PTE-A results against leading IELTS Band scores. It details that for an IELTS band 7 to 9, PTE-A test takers will need a higher score to be equivalent to IELTS. Though this concordance report has not been implemented by Australian and New Zealand immigration departments, it is advisable to keep in mind the new score requirements based on the PTE score calculator with IELTS while preparing for the PTE Academic test. The details are given below

PTE Scoring

IELTS Bands	PTE Scores	PTE Scores (Proposed)	OET Grade
9	86-90	N/A	A
8.5	83-85	89	A
8	79-82	84-88	A
7.5	73-78	76-83	B
7.0	65-72	66-75	B
6.5	58-64	56-65	C+
6.0	50-57	46-55	C
5.5	42-49	36-45	C
5.0	36-41	29-35	C
4.5	29-35	23-28	D

*PTE Range (Proposed) is based on the new Pearson IELTS Concordance Report.

Check other links

• PTE Coaching in Dehradun
• PTE Coaching in Ahmedabad

Wrapping up

Most of the universities abroad use English proficiency tests like IELTS, PTE, etc. for admissions. Students appearing for the exam must understand the proficiency level that the PTE score in bands signifies. Also, Candidates must be aware of the fact that specific organisations accept PTE to IELTS converted scores but not the reverse, however, candidates are advised to check with the university admission guidelines.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is IELTS 7 equals to PTE?

By converting PTE score to IELTS score, PTE score range 65-72 is equal to IELTS score band 7.

2. What is a PTE 43 score?

In the PTE academic exam, if the test taker's score range is between 43-58, he can understand the main points of the common topics encountered at work, school, leisure, etc. and can also handle most situations in the language spoken area. Read here to know more about PTE exam eligibility.

3. What is 6.5 IELTS score in PTE?

An overall PTE Academic score of 58.5, with individual scores in sub-skills as listening - 56.8, reading - 60.6, writing - 74.1, speaking - 53.5, when converted to IELTS score it will be 6.5 overall.

4. Is 50 in PTE is 6 in IELTS?

The Pearson Test of English - Academic (PTE-A) score ranges between 45.4 - 51.6 when converted to IELTS, the band score is 6.