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 |
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 |
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. Here are details
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.
PTE to IELTS Band Comparison
| PTE Academic | IELTS 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 |
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