Introduction
Converting PTE-A scores to IELTS band scores
At first glance, converting PTE-A scores to IELTS band scores might appear straightforward—after all, both tests aim to measure English language proficiency across four core skills: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking. However, the reality is more complex, involving not only different scoring scales but also divergent test structures, evaluation criteria and skill-weighting mechanisms.
The PTE Academic test scores candidates on a granular scale ranging from 10 to 90, while IELTS uses a band scale of 1 to 9, with half-point increments. A direct conversion requires a nuanced understanding of how these scores correspond in real-world terms. While Pearson and IDP provide general concordance tables, these are often interpreted as fixed benchmarks, which can be misleading without context.
For instance, a PTE-A score of 65 is commonly equated to an IELTS band score of 7. However, what many students do not realise is that this equivalence assumes a uniform performance across all four skill areas.
If a candidate scores 70 in Listening and Speaking but only 60 in Writing and Reading, the final average in IELTS may not be a clear 7 band equivalent.
This variation can be crucial, especially when applying to universities that require minimum sectional scores rather than just an overall band.
Another key point to consider is that while PTE is machine-scored, IELTS includes a human element in its Speaking and Writing assessments. This introduces a layer of subjectivity in IELTS that does not exist in PTE. Thus, a student who performs well in the structured, analytical environment of PTE may find the IELTS Speaking test, with its conversational, face-to-face nature, —more challenging.
Moreover, specific linguistic competencies are emphasised differently. PTE often rewards technical accuracy and response speed, whereas IELTS leans more towards depth of understanding, coherence and natural language use. This distinction matters during score conversion, as what earns a high score in one test might not yield the same result in the other.
The bottom line? Students should take a holistic approach—reviewing individual skill scores, understanding the core differences in testing styles and even considering practice test comparisons—before drawing conclusions.
Next, we will explore how the conversion process works in greater depth, with expert-backed strategies for interpreting and utilising these score equivalents in real-world applications.
How to link PTE to IELTS band scores?
Once students have taken the PTE Academic test and received their score report, a common question follows: how can this score be translated into an equivalent IELTS band that universities, immigration bodies, or professional regulators can recognise? While general concordance charts do offer broad guidelines, the process of linking PTE to IELTS scores requires more than just matching numbers. It involves understanding the intent behind each score and how institutions interpret them in real-world scenarios.
Let us walk through how students can effectively link their PTE scores to IELTS bands using a methodical, informed approach.
The Pearson and IDP official concordance tables provide a general overview of how scores from one test align with the other. These charts were developed through statistical mapping studies, notably the one jointly conducted by Pearson, Cambridge Assessment English and IDP. They offer a reasonable starting point, but students must be aware that:
- The tables are based on median performance across large data samples, not individual cases.
- A score of 65 in PTE might represent an IELTS 7.0, but only if the candidate performs consistently across all four language skills.
- Many institutions look at both overall and sectional band requirements, so converting only the average score is not enough.
Break Down the Skills—Do Not Just Look at the Total Score
One of the most overlooked strategies when attempting a PTE to IELTS conversion is evaluating the individual skill components. A student might score well in Reading and Listening but fall short in Writing, bringing down the average and potentially failing to meet institutional benchmarks in IELTS.
To link scores effectively:
- Use this breakdown to match your PTE sub-scores (Listening, Reading, Speaking, Writing) to their IELTS equivalents.
- Check whether the target institution requires a minimum in each band. For example, some UK universities require an IELTS 6.5 overall, with no band less than 6.0.
- Review your PTE score report in detail, noting your Enabling Skills (Grammar, Fluency, Pronunciation, etc.) as they provide insight into what might affect your IELTS performance.
Because the structure of the PTE and IELTS tests differ significantly, the best way to ensure alignment is to take a mock IELTS test under timed conditions. This helps you understand:
- How well does your current skill set map onto the IELTS test style
- Whether your PTE-acquired strategies (e.g., template use in Writing or rapid automated answers in Speaking) would hold up in a more nuanced, face-to-face setting
- Where gaps might exist, particularly in Writing and Speaking, which are assessed differently in IELTS
Many students are surprised to find that although their PTE score suggests a 7.0 band in IELTS, they fall short when facing the human-evaluated components. This is a vital insight for students applying to highly selective universities or visas requiring stringent English requirements.
For example:
- Certain UK universities consider a PTE 65 as “equivalent” to IELTS 6.5, while others may demand a slightly higher PTE for the same band.
- Immigration authorities such as UKVI or Australian Home Affairs may apply stricter conversion interpretations when evaluating visa applications.
Students must visit the admissions or English language requirements page of the university or immigration website to confirm their specific expectations before making assumptions based on generic tables.
Finally, it is worth engaging with an experienced study abroad consultant or language trainer. At Fateh Education, for example, we help students conduct a detailed analysis of their language proficiency and identify which test aligns better with their strengths, as well as how to approach the conversion correctly if they have already taken one of them.
With tailored support, students can:
- Interpret PTE-A reports in context
- Benchmark performance accurately against IELTS
- Create a plan to improve weak areas before retesting or submitting scores
In the next section, we will go even deeper, investigating the academic and psychometric relationship between Pearson PTE scores and IELTS bands—what makes them different beneath the surface and why those differences matter when choosing or converting between the two tests.
Investigating the Relationship between Pearson PTE Scores and IELTS Bands
- IELTS adopts a descriptor-based model, where scores reflect observable language behaviour. For example, a Band 7 in Writing means the test taker is a “good user” who handles complex language well, despite occasional inaccuracies.
- PTE Academic, in contrast, operates on a computational model. It scores candidates through AI and automated speech/text recognition, aiming to eliminate examiner bias. The scoring is more numeric and data-driven, reflecting micro-performance in pronunciation, fluency and grammatical range.
2. Skill Testing: Isolated vs Integrated
- In IELTS, each skill—Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking—is tested separately. This makes it easier to isolate strengths and weaknesses.
- PTE, however, often integrates skills within a single task. For instance, a Speaking item may influence both Speaking and Listening scores, creating complex interdependencies not present in IELTS.
Official Concordance Table between IELTS and PTE
Here is a simplified concordance chart to illustrate the commonly accepted equivalence between PTE and IELTS:
| PTE – A Score Range | IELTS Band Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 86-90 | 9.0 |
| 83–85 | 8.5 |
| 79–82 | 8.0 |
| 73–78 | 7.5 |
| 65–72 | 7.0 |
| 59–64 | 6.5 |
| 51–58 | 6.0 |
| 43–50 | 5.5 |
| 36–42 | 5.0 |
Source: Pearson and IDP concordance insights; interpreted through institutional benchmarks
How should your organisation use the IELTS vs PTE score equivalencies
IELTS 7.0 (no sub-band less than 7.0)
This is a common benchmark for postgraduate programmes, medical registration bodies, and highly skilled migration streams. When setting this standard, it is essential to understand that a 7.0 in IELTS reflects a strong command of academic English across all four skill areas—Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking.To mirror this in PTE:- Candidates should ideally score between 65 and 72 in each of the Communicative Skills.
- A single weak skill (e.g. Speaking at 61 while others are 70+) would not meet the IELTS 7.0 band requirement.
- Organisations should set individual PTE skill thresholds instead of relying solely on overall scores.
IELTS 6.5 (no sub-band less than 6.0)
Often, the entry requirement for undergraduate and taught master’s degrees, this threshold accommodates intermediate to upper-intermediate English speakers.To establish a fair equivalency in PTE:- Look for an overall score between 58 and 64, with no communicative skill below 50–55.
- Again, focusing only on the total score may obscure weaknesses. A candidate scoring 66 overall could still perform poorly in one section, which would not meet the IELTS 6.0 sub-band floor.
Conclusion
FAQs on PTE to IELTS
Neither test is objectively harder—it depends on the candidate's strengths. PTE is computer-based and may suit tech-comfortable test-takers, while IELTS offers human interaction in speaking and handwritten options. PTE tasks are often more integrated, whereas IELTS keeps skills separate, which some may find easier to manage.
PTE is not inherently easy or difficult—it depends on your preparation and language ability. Since it uses automated scoring, consistency across all skills is key. Students can perform well and meet their target score with the right strategy and practice.
