PTE
PTE scoring

What is a good PTE score?

PTE Academic reports an overall score and four skill scores from 10 to 90. There is no single "good" number — a good score is the one your university, professional body or visa route asks for. This guide explains the scale, what each band means, and the ranges people usually aim for so you can set a realistic target.

See the bands Convert to IELTS & CEFR Start practice
The scale

How the PTE score works

PTE Academic scores range from 10 to 90 in one-point steps. You receive an overall score and four communicative skill scores — Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening. Because many tasks are integrated, a single task can feed more than one skill, so the overall score is not the simple average of the four.

Range10–90Overall and for each of the four skills.
Maximum90Equivalent to CEFR C2 and IELTS 9.0.
Reported5 scoresOverall plus Speaking, Writing, Reading, Listening.
AveragingNot simpleIntegrated tasks feed multiple skills, so don't just average.
It depends

A good score is relative to your goal

Undergraduate study

Often around 50–58

Many bachelor programmes accept this range, sometimes with per-skill minimums. Competitive courses ask for more.

Check the equivalent
Postgraduate & professional

Often around 58–65+

Master's programmes and many professional registrations sit here; 65 is a common strong benchmark.

How to get 65
Top tier & high English levels

79 and above

An overall target comparable to IELTS 8.0. Australian visa English levels use separate skill thresholds and depend on test date.

How to get 79
Score bands

What each PTE band means

PTE overallCEFRIELTSWhat it typically reflects
85–90C28.0–9.0Near-native control; top of the scale.
79–84C18.0Indicative IELTS 8.0; check separate admission and visa requirements.
65–78B2–C17.0–7.5Strong; many postgraduate and professional requirements.
58–64B1–B26.5–7.0Solid; common undergraduate and some postgraduate entry.
50–57B16.0–6.5Competent; a frequent minimum for undergraduate courses.
36–49A2–B15.0–6.0Developing; foundation and pathway programmes.

CEFR and IELTS mappings use the published Pearson concordance (see the PTE score converter). Typical-use ranges are general guidance only; requirements are set by each institution and authority and change. Confirm the exact score you need. Score comparisons and visa distinctions updated by Kate Feng on 27 September 2026. These broad rows can span multiple IELTS bands; use the converter for the exact overall-score range.

By skill

Overall isn't the whole story

Many universities and visa routes set a minimum for every skill, not just the overall score. A strong overall with one weak skill can still fall short, so check whether your target has per-skill minimums and treat your lowest skill as the one that gates you.

Aim a few points above the stated minimum

Practice estimates vary from test-day performance. Targeting a small buffer above the requirement — in every skill — protects you against a narrow miss.

Move up

How to reach a higher band

  1. Set the score you need and convert it with the PTE score converter.
  2. Find your weakest skill with a format diagnostic and the target planner.
  3. Repair one pattern at a time in the Practice Hub, then review attempts.
  4. If your score is stuck, follow the repair map instead of adding random practice.
PTE to IELTS & CEFRConvert any PTE score to its IELTS band and CEFR level. How to get 79A focused practice plan for 79 overall, comparable to IELTS 8.0. PTE target plannerTurn your target into a focused practice sequence.
PTE Academic is a trademark of Pearson Education Ltd. PrepEx is independent of Pearson. PrepEx scores are practice estimates, not official Pearson scores.