PTE 39 compares with IELTS 5.5
On the overall comparison, IELTS 6.0 starts at PTE 47. That is 8 points above 39.
Practise freeThis compares two official score scales. It does not predict the IELTS band you would earn, and PrepEx practice estimates are not official Pearson scores.
PTE 39 in IELTS for each skill
Pearson’s July 2025 study produced a separate table for each skill, so the same number is a different IELTS band depending on where it sits on your score report. A PTE score of 39 compares with IELTS 5.5 in Speaking and 5.0 in Listening, Reading and Writing.
| Score | IELTS band for 39 | PTE range for that band | Next band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 5.5 | 39–46 | IELTS 6.0 from 47 |
| Listening | 5.0 | 33–39 | IELTS 5.5 from 40 |
| Reading | 5.0 | 36–41 | IELTS 5.5 from 42 |
| Speaking | 5.5 | 39–53 | IELTS 6.0 from 54 |
| Writing | 5.0 | 29–40 | IELTS 5.5 from 41 |
Pearson, concordance between the enhanced PTE Academic and IELTS Academic, July 2025, Table 8. Pearson reports no PTE Speaking or Writing score for IELTS 9.0.
CEFR level for PTE 39
PTE 39 is CEFR A2 (Elementary). Pearson aligns PTE 30–42 with A2. B1 starts at 43, 4 points higher.
| CEFR level | PTE Academic | Described as |
|---|---|---|
| C2 | 85–90 | Mastery |
| C1 | 76–84 | Advanced |
| B2 | 59–75 | Upper intermediate |
| B1 | 43–58 | Intermediate |
| A2 | 30–42 | Elementary |
| A1 | 10–29 | Beginner |
Australian visa English levels at 39
The Department of Home Affairs sets a minimum for each skill, not for the overall score. This table shows the level a score of 39 reaches in each skill on a PTE Academic test taken on or after 7 August 2025.
| Skill | Level a 39 reaches | Next level |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Vocational (minimum 33) | Competent needs 47 |
| Reading | Vocational (minimum 36) | Competent needs 48 |
| Speaking | Vocational (minimum 24) | Competent needs 54 |
| Writing | Vocational (minimum 29) | Competent needs 51 |
With 39 in all four skills, a test taken on or after 7 August 2025 meets Vocational English. Competent English needs at least 47 in Listening, 48 in Reading, 54 in Speaking and 51 in Writing. An overall score of 39 also meets Functional English, which needs 24 overall on the current test.
On a test taken on or before 6 August 2025, 39 in all four skills met Vocational English, which needed 36 in each skill. Whether an earlier result still counts depends on the visa and its evidence period.
Thresholds read from the Department of Home Affairs on 10 November 2026. Confirm the level, accepted test and validity period for your visa before you book.
PTE Core 39 and CLB levels
For Express Entry, IRCC accepts PTE Core, not PTE Academic. PTE Core reports on the same 10–90 scale, and IRCC converts each skill to a Canadian Language Benchmark. A PTE Core score of 39 is CLB 5 in Listening, CLB 4 in Reading and below CLB 4 in Speaking and Writing.
| Skill | CLB for 39 | PTE Core range for that CLB | Next level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | CLB 5 | 39–49 | CLB 6 from 50 |
| Reading | CLB 4 | 33–41 | CLB 5 from 42 |
| Speaking | Below CLB 4 | — | CLB 4 from 42 |
| Writing | Below CLB 4 | — | CLB 4 from 41 |
Programs set a minimum CLB for each ability, so check your lowest skill first. PTE Academic vs PTE Core explains which test each country asks for, and CELPIP vs PTE Core compares the two tests IRCC accepts alongside IELTS General Training.
CLB ranges read from IRCC’s Express Entry language test results page on 10 November 2026.
How far 39 is from the next band
On the overall comparison, IELTS 6.0 starts at PTE 47. That is 8 points above 39.
A comparison table gives you a target. It can’t tell you which skill is holding the score back. Score a few answers in each skill and look at where the feedback repeats. A free PrepEx account scores 2 answers a day across Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening.
PTE scores close to 39
Two scores can share an IELTS band and still land on different sides of a visa threshold. The PTE score chart lists every score from 10 to 90.
PTE 39 questions
What is PTE 39 in IELTS?
PTE 39 overall compares with IELTS Academic 5.5. Pearson’s July 2025 concordance places PTE 39–46 alongside IELTS 5.5.
Is PTE 39 the same IELTS band in every skill?
No. Pearson publishes a separate table for each skill. A PTE score of 39 compares with IELTS 5.5 in Speaking and 5.0 in Listening, Reading and Writing.
What CEFR level is PTE 39?
PTE 39 is CEFR A2 (Elementary). Pearson aligns PTE 30–42 with A2. B1 starts at 43, 4 points higher.
Which Australian English level does PTE 39 meet?
With 39 in all four skills, a test taken on or after 7 August 2025 meets Vocational English. Competent English needs at least 47 in Listening, 48 in Reading, 54 in Speaking and 51 in Writing.
What CLB level is PTE Core 39?
For Express Entry, IRCC matches a PTE Core score of 39 to CLB 5 in Listening, CLB 4 in Reading and below CLB 4 in Speaking and Writing. IRCC accepts PTE Core, not PTE Academic.
How to use this comparison
A concordance compares results across a large group of people who took both tests. It doesn’t guarantee the band you would get, and it doesn’t replace a test that a university or visa office names. Pearson describes its own table as approximate.
- Pearson: concordance between the enhanced PTE Academic and IELTS Academic, July 2025
- Pearson: understand your PTE Academic score and CEFR level
- Australian Department of Home Affairs: English language requirements
- IRCC: Express Entry language test results and CLB levels
Reviewed by PrepEx on . Back to the PTE to IELTS converter.