How does PTE map to CEFR levels?

Pearson aligns PTE Academic to the CEFR, with each band of PTE scores corresponding to a CEFR level. The full mapping is in the table on this page. Note that a CEFR level covers a range of PTE scores, so two people at the same level can differ substantially in score.

PTE Band Score Chart — IELTS & CEFR Equivalents

What the chart shows

This chart lines up three ways of describing the same English ability: your PTE Academic score on the 10 to 90 scale, the equivalent IELTS band, and the CEFR level. The PTE to IELTS column comes from Pearson's published concordance study; the CEFR column is Pearson's own alignment of the PTE scale to the framework. Use it to translate a requirement written in one system into the score you actually need to aim for.

Why one band covers a range of scores

IELTS reports in half-band steps and CEFR in broad levels, while PTE uses single points, so each IELTS band and each CEFR level maps to a span of PTE scores rather than a single number. A score near the top of a band is only just inside it. If a requirement sits on a boundary, plan for a score at the safe end of the range rather than the exact edge, because performance varies between sittings.

Read the two tables separately

The PTE to IELTS and PTE to CEFR tables are kept apart on purpose, because a single IELTS band can straddle two CEFR levels. Reading a combined row as though IELTS and CEFR moved in lockstep is a common mistake. Match your score down the PTE column of whichever table answers the requirement you are actually meeting.

The institution's own table always wins

A concordance is a statistical alignment, not an exchange rate. Universities and visa authorities are free to publish their own equivalencies, and many do — especially where a requirement is set per skill. Use this chart to work out what to target, then confirm the figure against the requirement page for your specific course, visa or professional body.

PTE to IELTS concordance

Full concordance table
PTE Academic	IELTS
90–90	9
86–89	8.5
79–85	8
71–78	7.5
63–70	7
55–62	6.5
47–54	6
39–46	5.5
31–38	5
24–30	4.5

PTE to CEFR levels

PTE Academic	CEFR level	What it means
85–90	C2	Proficient
76–84	C1	Advanced
59–75	B2	Upper intermediate
43–58	B1	Intermediate
30–42	A2	Elementary

Frequently asked questions

IELTS reports in half-band steps while PTE uses a 10-90 point scale, so each IELTS band covers a span of PTE scores. Converting from IELTS to PTE therefore gives a range, and aiming at the top of that range is the safer target.

PTE Band Score Chart