PTE 65 compares with IELTS 7.0
On the overall comparison, IELTS 7.5 starts at PTE 71. That is 6 points above 65.
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 65 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 65 compares with IELTS 7.5 in Listening and Reading, 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in Speaking.
| Score | IELTS band for 65 | PTE range for that band | Next band |
|---|---|---|---|
| Overall | 7.0 | 63–70 | IELTS 7.5 from 71 |
| Listening | 7.5 | 64–68 | IELTS 8.0 from 69 |
| Reading | 7.5 | 65–69 | IELTS 8.0 from 70 |
| Speaking | 6.0 | 54–65 | IELTS 6.5 from 66 |
| Writing | 6.5 | 60–68 | IELTS 7.0 from 69 |
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 65
PTE 65 is CEFR B2 (Upper intermediate). Pearson aligns PTE 59–75 with B2. C1 starts at 76, 11 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 65
The Department of Home Affairs sets a minimum for each skill, not for the overall score. This table shows the level a score of 65 reaches in each skill on a PTE Academic test taken on or after 7 August 2025.
| Skill | Level a 65 reaches | Next level |
|---|---|---|
| Listening | Proficient (minimum 58) | Superior needs 69 |
| Reading | Proficient (minimum 59) | Superior needs 70 |
| Speaking | Competent (minimum 54) | Proficient needs 76 |
| Writing | Competent (minimum 51) | Proficient needs 69 |
With 65 in all four skills, a test taken on or after 7 August 2025 meets Competent English. Proficient English needs at least 76 in Speaking and 69 in Writing. An overall score of 65 also meets Functional English, which needs 24 overall on the current test.
On a test taken on or before 6 August 2025, 65 in all four skills met Proficient English, which needed 65 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 65 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 65 is CLB 7 in Listening and Reading and CLB 6 in Speaking and Writing.
| Skill | CLB for 65 | PTE Core range for that CLB | Next level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Listening | CLB 7 | 60–70 | CLB 8 from 71 |
| Reading | CLB 7 | 60–68 | CLB 8 from 69 |
| Speaking | CLB 6 | 59–67 | CLB 7 from 68 |
| Writing | CLB 6 | 60–68 | CLB 7 from 69 |
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 65 is from the next band
On the overall comparison, IELTS 7.5 starts at PTE 71. That is 6 points above 65.
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 65
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 65 questions
What is PTE 65 in IELTS?
PTE 65 overall compares with IELTS Academic 7.0. Pearson’s July 2025 concordance places PTE 63–70 alongside IELTS 7.0.
Is PTE 65 the same IELTS band in every skill?
No. Pearson publishes a separate table for each skill. A PTE score of 65 compares with IELTS 7.5 in Listening and Reading, 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in Speaking.
What CEFR level is PTE 65?
PTE 65 is CEFR B2 (Upper intermediate). Pearson aligns PTE 59–75 with B2. C1 starts at 76, 11 points higher.
Which Australian English level does PTE 65 meet?
With 65 in all four skills, a test taken on or after 7 August 2025 meets Competent English. Proficient English needs at least 76 in Speaking and 69 in Writing.
What CLB level is PTE Core 65?
For Express Entry, IRCC matches a PTE Core score of 65 to CLB 7 in Listening and Reading and CLB 6 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.