# PTE score chart: CEFR, IELTS and visa scores Every PTE score from 10 to 90 with its CEFR level and IELTS band, and the per-skill scores Australian, UK and NZ visas ask for. ## How PTE is scored PTE Academic reports an overall score and four skill scores (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing), each from 10 to 90. The overall score is not an average of the four: it reflects the whole test, and integrated tasks such as Write From Dictation feed two skills at once. The [scoring guide](/pte/scoring-guide) shows which tasks feed each score. ## PTE scores and CEFR levels Pearson aligns PTE Academic scores to the Common European Framework of Reference. These are the ranges in Pearson's July 2025 score guide, unchanged by the 2025 test update. | CEFR level | PTE Academic score | What it means | | --- | --- | --- | | C2 | 85-90 | Mastery: understands virtually everything heard or read | | C1 | 76-84 | Advanced: uses English flexibly for study and work, with few errors | | B2 | 59-75 | Upper intermediate: follows complex text and argues a point clearly | | B1 | 43-58 | Intermediate: handles familiar topics and everyday study situations | | A2 | 30-42 | Elementary: simple, routine exchanges | | A1 or below | 10-29 | Beginner | *Source: Pearson Score Guide for institutions, July 2025* ## PTE score chart with IELTS bands Pearson's concordance study links each IELTS Academic band to a range of PTE Academic overall scores. Tap a score for its full page with per-skill bands. | PTE overall | IELTS band | CEFR | | --- | --- | --- | | [90](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter/pte-90) | 9.0 | C2 | | 86-89 | 8.5 | C2 | | [79-85](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter/pte-79) | 8.0 | C1-C2 | | 71-78 | 7.5 | B2-C1 | | [63-70](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter/pte-63) | 7.0 | B2 | | [55-62](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter/pte-55) | 6.5 | B1-B2 | | [47-54](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter/pte-47) | 6.0 | B1 | | [39-46](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter/pte-45) | 5.5 | A2-B1 | | [31-38](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter/pte-36) | 5.0 | A2 | | 24-30 | 4.5 | A1 or below-A2 | *Source: Pearson concordance study summary, July 2025. CEFR from Pearson's score guide.* Want it the other way round, or per skill? Use the [IELTS ↔ PTE converter](/tools/ielts-to-pte-converter). ## Scores visas ask for Australia's Department of Home Affairs sets a minimum in each skill. These apply to tests taken on or after 7 August 2025. | Level | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | Points | Before 7 August 2025 | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Vocational | 33 | 36 | 29 | 24 | - | 36 in each skill | | Competent | 47 | 48 | 51 | 54 | 0 | 50 in each skill | | Proficient | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 | 10 | 65 in each skill | | Superior | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 | 20 | 79 in each skill | *Source: Department of Home Affairs; Pearson* Check where your scores land with the [PTE score calculator](/pte/score-calculator). [PTE and IELTS scores for Australian visas](/blog/pte-score-australia-pr) explains the levels and points side by side for both tests. For UK visas that need a Secure English Language Test, take PTE Academic UKVI. It's the same test with a reference number for your visa application. UK visas ask for the same score in every skill: 43 for B1, 59 for B2, 76 for C1, 85 for C2. Immigration New Zealand asks for an overall score of 58 for skilled residence visas (36 for a partner or dependent child), from a test taken at a centre in the last 2 years. For Canadian immigration, IRCC accepts PTE Core, not PTE Academic. See the [CLB calculator](/tools/clb-calculator), and [PTE Core vs PTE Academic](/blog/pte-core-vs-pte-academic) for which one you need. ## Results and validity Pearson says results arrive within 2 days of the test as a rule, and always within 5 working days. Scores are valid for 2 years from the test date. ## PTE score questions ### Is the PTE overall score the average of the four skills? No. Pearson says the overall score is not an average of the skill scores. It comes from your performance across the whole test, and some tasks count towards two skills at once. ### What is a good PTE score? It depends on what you need it for. Universities set their own minimums, so check the course page. For Australian skilled visas, Proficient English (58 Listening, 59 Reading, 69 Writing, 76 Speaking) earns 10 points and Superior earns 20. In CEFR terms, 59 is where B2 starts and 76 is where C1 starts. ### What PTE score equals IELTS 7? Pearson's concordance puts IELTS 7.0 at PTE 63-70 overall, and IELTS 6.5 at 55-62. ### How long is a PTE score valid? 2 years from the test date, per Pearson. Some Australian visas accept older results, so check the visa's own rules. ### Does PTE still report enabling skills? No. Pearson dropped the enabling skills (grammar, fluency and so on) in November 2021. The score report now has the overall score, the four skill scores and a skills profile. **Sources** - [Pearson: Score Guide for institutions, PTE Academic, July 2025 (PDF)](https://www.pearsonpte.com/ctf-assets/yqwtwibiobs4/19aKOZDjxMpr7zABpqoWO5/5779a42c6ea4cd89f931a31259d2abb0/Score_Guide__Institution__-_PTE_Academic_-_July_2025__web_.pdf) - [Pearson: PTE Academic concordance study summary, July 2025 (PDF)](https://www.pearsonpte.com/content/dam/ELL/pte/pearsonpte/pdfs/Concordance-study-summary-pte-academic-july-2025.pdf) - [Pearson: PTE Academic scoring](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/scoring/) - [Pearson: the new PTE score report and skills profile](https://www.pearsonpte.com/articles/everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-pte-score-report-and-skills-report/) - [Department of Home Affairs: English language requirements](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/help-support/meeting-our-requirements/english-language) - [Department of Home Affairs: Subclass 189 points table](https://immi.homeaffairs.gov.au/visas/getting-a-visa/visa-listing/skilled-independent-189/points-table) - [Pearson: new Home Affairs requirements for PTE Academic](https://www.pearsonpte.com/articles/new-dha-visa-requirements-for-pte-academic/) - [GOV.UK: prove your English with a Secure English Language Test](https://www.gov.uk/guidance/prove-your-english-language-abilities-with-a-secure-english-language-test-selt) - [Immigration New Zealand: English requirements for skilled residence visas](https://www.immigration.govt.nz/process-to-apply/applying-for-a-visa/providing-evidence-and-documents-to-support-your-visa-application/english-language-requirements/english-language-requirements-for-skilled-residence-visas/) - [Pearson: PTE Academic](https://www.pearsonpte.com/pte-academic/) - [Pearson help centre: scoring](https://www.pearsonpte.com/help-center/scoring/)