PTE Exam Score Chart
The PTE Score Chart is calculated in the range of 10-90, where 10 refers to the lowest proficiency level, and 90 refers to the highest proficiency level in English.
Understand your PTE score and plan your study abroad journey
What you'll learn in this article
The Pearson Test of English, or PTE Academic, is a language proficiency test that evaluates a person's reading, writing, speaking, and listening skills. The PTE score chart has a range of 10-90, with 90 representing the maximum possible score. This PTE Academic score chart represents a very transparent, detailed scoring system that is in correspondence with the guidelines of the Common European Framework of Reference.
On this page, you will find everything associated with the PTE exam scoring, how the PTE score is evaluated, the PTE exam section-wise scoring system, and a comparison of the PTE Academic score to IELTS and TOEFL iBT.
Understand your PTE score and plan your study abroad journey
PTE Exam Score Explained
The PTE score chart gives test-takers a clear overview of their English language proficiency. Scores are mapped to levels such as Beginner, Intermediate, and Upper Intermediate, helping candidates understand their ability across different skills.
The PTE exam uses a score range, with each band indicating a specific level of English proficiency. Here is a table showing the PTE exam scores, their corresponding levels, and what they mean:
| Score Range | Proficiency Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 10-30 | Beginner | Novice Test-takers at this level possess a fundamental knowledge of the English language. They could have trouble with language, vocabulary, and communication skills, which makes it difficult for them to participate in normal discussions or complete academic assignments. |
| 31-50 | Intermediate | People in this range have a mediocre level of linguistic proficiency in English. Even while they are able to comprehend and converse about subjects they are familiar with, they could still struggle with more intricate or subtle language use. |
| 51-65 | Upper Intermediate | Examinees at this level demonstrate a solid command of the English language and the capacity to comprehend and communicate clearly in a range of settings. They possess a high level of proficiency in both professional and academic duties. |
| 66-79 | Advanced | People in this range speak English at a nearly native level. They do well in academic or professional contexts where a strong command of the English language is required, and they are able to understand and convey complicated concepts with ease. |
| 80-90 | Proficient | Candidates having the capacity to comprehend and utilise the English language at a native or almost native level are regarded as extremely proficient in the language. They possess a high level of precision and fluency in handling challenging academic or professional assignments. |
Give your best shot at PTE Academics with AECC experts. Book your appointment with one of our counsellors and navigate a plan to prepare and get the maximum PTE score for the best universities abroad.
PTE Academic Scores to CEFR Mapping
For every candidate appearing for PTE Academic, they must understand their PTE exam score in relation to the CEFR. Now, CEFR is Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an internationally recognised evaluation structure that rates language proficiency on a six-point scale, and these scores directly match each other.
And, the relation between the PTE Academic Score and CEFR allows universities to understand candidates’ English proficiency in globally recognised terms.
The relationship between PTE scores and their CEFR counterparts is shown in the table below:
| PTE Score Range | CEFR Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 80-90 | C2 | Near native language use capabilities. |
| 66-79 | C1 | Advanced - Capable of deciphering a variety of complex, lengthy texts and identifying implied meaning. Possesses the ability to speak clearly and naturally without having to make a conscious effort to find the right words. |
| 51-65 | B2 | Upper Intermediate - Able to comprehend the main concepts of complex texts on both concrete and abstract topics, including discussions of technical subjects related to their area of expertise. Possesses a level of fluency and spontaneity in their interactions that enables regular, stress-free communication with native speakers fairly feasible. |
| 43-50 | B1 | Intermediate - Able to comprehend the essential ideas of unambiguous standard input on topics that are frequently encountered at work, education, leisure, etc. able to handle the majority of scenarios that could occur when travelling in a language-speaking region. |
| 30-42 | A2 | Elementary - Capable of comprehending phrases and commonly used terms pertaining to topics of immediate concern (e.g., very basic personal and family information, shopping, local geography, employment). Able to communicate in basic and ordinary duties that call for a straightforward information exchange on everyday, known topics. |
| 10-29 | A1 | Beginner - Able to comprehend and employ common everyday language as well as simple sentences meant to satiate concrete requirements. Able to make introductions, ask and respond to queries regarding personal information such where they live, who they know, and what they own. |
How PTE Scores are Evaluated?
PTE Academic scores are evaluated through an AI-powered scoring system developed by language experts and refined using millions of data points. This automated approach eliminates human bias and enables candidates to receive their PTE test results within 48 hours of the exam.
While multiple-choice questions are marked as either right or wrong, the overall scoring process is more nuanced and depends on the question type and the test section.
To help you better understand the PTE scoring system, here is a section-wise scoring table:
Speaking
| Evaluation Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Automated Scoring | With the use of Pearson's Intelligent Speech Scoring system, which examines elements including pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and content, the speaking replies are assessed. |
| Human Review | To guarantee accuracy and consistency of the automatic scoring, a subset of speaking responses may be subjected to further assessment by human raters with the necessary training. |
Writing
| Evaluation Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Automated Scoring | The Intelligent Essay Assessor, an AI-powered tool that assesses the written essays' organisation, vocabulary, grammar, and substance, is used to rate the responses. |
| Human Review | Human raters may examine a sample of written responses in order to verify the automated scoring system and offer comments on the overall quality of the writing. |
Reading
| Evaluation Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Partial Credit | Fill-in-the-blank and multiple-choice reading activities are graded using a partial credit method, which gives points for responses that are only partially right. |
| Correct/Incorrect | Some reading assignments are graded on a correct-incorrect basis, such as multiple-choice questions with single answers. |
Listening
| Evaluation Process | Description |
|---|---|
| Partial Credit | A partial credit system is used to grade the listening tasks, which include summarising audio material and responding to multiple-choice questions. Points are given for answers that are only partially right. |
| Enabling Skills | In addition, the listening portion assesses the candidate's enabling abilities, which go towards the final score and include spelling, grammar, and vocabulary. |
The combined scores from the enabling skills and the four skills (Speaking, Writing, Reading, and Listening) determine the overall PTE score. Going above and beyond a basic average of the various ability scores, this process guarantees a thorough evaluation of the candidate's English language proficiency.
To know more about PTE and other language proficiency tests like IELTS, TOEFL, and Duolingo, speak to an AECC expert today.
PTE Speaking Score Chart
One of the most important parts of the PTE exam is the Speaking section, which evaluates a candidate's effectiveness in English communication. Pronunciation, fluency, grammar, and substance are just a few of the areas that are evaluated thoroughly to determine the speaking scores. The PTE Speaking section's scoring guidelines are shown in the table below:
| Task Skill | Scoring Criteria |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | The capacity to speak clearly, intelligibly, and with appropriate tone, rhythm, and stress. |
| Oral Fluency | Speech that is smooth and has the right amount of hesitation and halting. |
| Grammar | Accurate use of sentence construction and grammatical structures. |
| Vocabulary | Use a variety of appropriate words to effectively communicate meaning. |
| Content | Capacity to respond to the task prompt in a relevant and cohesive manner. |
These standards are used to evaluate each speaking activity, and the results are added together to determine the overall Speaking score, which is between 10 and 90.
PTE Writing Score Chart
The purpose of the PTE Writing portion is to evaluate a candidate's proficiency in producing written compositions in English. Writing essays and summarising written documents are among the duties included in this part.
Grammar, coherence, vocabulary, and overall response quality are only a few of the many components of the candidate's performance that are evaluated in detail to determine the score criteria for the Writing portion. The PTE Writing section's scoring guidelines are shown in the table below:
| Task Skill | Scoring Criteria |
|---|---|
| Summarise Written Text | Ability to precisely enumerate the major concepts and important details from a given text. |
| Essay Writing | Capacity to compose a logically sound essay that is well-structured and has clear arguments. |
| Grammar | Accurate use of sentence construction and grammatical structures. |
| Coherence | Ideas are presented logically, and paragraph transitions are obvious. |
| Vocabulary | Use of a variety of appropriate words to effectively communicate meaning. |
| Overall Response Quality | The response's overall quality, taking into account its depth, clarity, and relevancy. |
These standards are used to evaluate each writing assignment, and the results are added together to determine the total Writing score, which is between 10 and 90.
PTE Reading Score Chart
The PTE exam's reading portion evaluates a candidate's comprehension and interaction skills using a variety of written texts. There are several activities in this area, all aimed at assessing various facets of the candidate's reading proficiency. The PTE Reading section's scoring guidelines are shown in the table below:
| Task Skill | Scoring Criteria |
|---|---|
| Multiple-Choice (Single Answer) | Right or wrong answer. Points are given for choosing the correct response. |
| Multiple-Choice (Multiple Answers) | For every right answer, there is a partial credit provided. Reduction of points for choosing the wrong selections. |
| Re-order Paragraphs | Each correctly arranged pair of neighbouring paragraphs receives half of the possible points. |
| Reading: Fill in the Blanks | Each blank that is correctly filled in receives partial credit based on word usage and contextual comprehension. |
| Reading and Writing: Fill in the Blanks | For every blank that is filled in correctly, partial credit is given, taking into account both writing and reading comprehension abilities. |
The candidate's performance in the reading portion is assessed based on their comprehension of the context and usage of suitable language, in addition to their ability to choose the right answers. A more sophisticated evaluation is made possible by the partial credit system, which acknowledges that language competency is a continuum rather than a binary.
PTE Listening Score Chart
The PTE exam's Listening component evaluates a candidate's comprehension and response to a variety of spoken English formats. There are several activities in this area, all aimed at assessing various facets of the candidate's listening abilities.
Summarise Spoken Text
- Applicants must provide an overview of the primary concepts and essential details from a spoken passage.
- Both the candidate's ability to explain the material in their own words and the summary's thoroughness and accuracy will be taken into account when assigning points.
Multiple-Choice Questions
- Examinees respond to multiple-choice questions by using the text of the spoken passages as their basis.
- Answers that are only half correct receive partial credit; choosing the proper option receives full credit.
Fill in the Blanks
- On the basis of the spoken content, candidates fill in the blanks in a transcript.
- The accuracy of the answers is what determines the score, which also considers the usage of proper terminology and comprehension of the context.
The candidate's performance in the listening portion is assessed based on their use of language skills, such as grammar and vocabulary, as well as their comprehension of the topic. A more sophisticated evaluation is made possible by the partial credit system, which acknowledges that language competency is a complex ability.
PTE Academic - IELTS - TOEFL - Duolingo Score Comparison
A computer-based test of English language competence, the PTE Academic evaluates a candidate's communication skills in both academic and professional contexts. Universities and other organisations around the world widely accept it.
However, there are also some other globally acknowledged English proficiency tests. This is a comparison between the PTE Academic score chart and format and those of other popular standardised examinations, such as the IELTS, TOEFL, and Duolingo.
Scoring Scales and Formats
| Test | Scoring Scale | Format |
|---|---|---|
| PTE Academic | 10-90 | Computer-based |
| IELTS | 0-9 | Paper-based and computer-based |
| TOEFL iBT | 0-120 | Internet-based |
| Duolingo English Test | 10-160 | Online |
Scoring Correlation
| PTE Academic Score Chart | IELTS Score | TOEFL iBT Score | Duolingo Score |
| 58-60 | 6.0-6.5 | 90-100 | 120-125 |
| 60-65 | 6.5-7.0 | 100-110 | 125-130 |
| 66-70 | 7.0-7.5 | 110-115 | 130-135 |
| 71-75 | 7.5-8.0 | 115-120 | 135-140 |
| 76-80 | 8.0-8.5 | 120-125 | 140-145 |
| 81-85 | 8.5-9.0 | 125-130 | 145-150 |
| 86-90 | 9.0 | 130-135 | 150-155 |
Institutional Acceptance
- PTE Academic: More than 3.500 universities and organisations around the world, including prestigious universities in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand, accept the PTE Academic exam.
- IELTS: Accredited by over 12,000 organisations and institutions globally, including prestigious universities in the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
- TOEFL iBT: More than 11,000 universities worldwide, including prestigious universities in the USA and Canada, accept the TOEFL iBT.
- Duolingo English Test: More than 3,500 institutions worldwide, including several universities and organisations, accept the Duolingo English Test.
Insights for Candidates
- PTE Academic: Fit for applicants who would rather take an exam on a computer, get their results right away, and choose when to take it.
- IELTS: Sought after by applicants in need of an exam that provides a more scholarly evaluation and is extensively recognised by educational institutions worldwide.
- TOEFL iBT: The TOEFL iBT is the best option for those who require a test that is widely recognised in the United States and Canada and provides a thorough evaluation of language proficiency.
- Duolingo English Test: Ideal for applicants who would rather take an online exam that is inexpensive and provides immediate results.
In conclusion, reaching academic and professional objectives requires a grasp of the PTE score chart. The score system is broken down in depth in the chart, which also shows the evaluation process for each skill (speaking, writing, reading, and listening) and the performance criteria.
For detailed guidance regarding the PTE exam and strategies to clear it with flying colours, contact the expert counsellors at AECC. Get advanced study materials, preparation support, and personalised assistance at every step of applying to foreign universities, starting from course selection right up to visa application
PTE Score Chart FAQs
An IELTS score of 6.5 in each band usually equals a PTE Academic score of around 58–64. Many universities consider PTE 58 or 60 overall as equivalent to IELTS 6.5.
An IELTS score of 7.0 overall usually equals a PTE Academic score of around 65–72. A PTE score between 65 and 72 reflects a good to very good level of English proficiency, which is generally considered comparable to IELTS 7.0.
A PTE Academic score of 55 is generally equal to an IELTS score of around 6.0. This PTE score refers to a competent level of English proficiency, indicating that the candidate can understand everyday academic and professional communication with some errors.
A PTE Academic score of 80 reflects an excellent level of English proficiency. It is roughly equal to an IELTS score of 8.0. This PTE test score is accepted by most top universities around the world.
The PTE score chart is in the range of 10-90, where 10 refers to the lowest PTE score, and 90 refers to the highest score, showing expert-level proficiency. A score closer to 10 usually means the test-taker has limited understanding and communication skills in English.
Trusted Expertise
About the Author
Published and reviewed by AECC counsellors who guide students through every step of their study-abroad journey.
Published by Bindu Mary Idicula
Test Prep, Courses & Application Expert | 20 Years in International Education
Bindu Mary Idicula has spent over 20 years in international education, writing on three areas that students navigate across every study abroad destination: standardised tests, course selection and application documents. She covers TOEFL, SAT, ACT, OET, GRE and GMAT, writes on standalone course guides across disciplines, and covers the application documents students need including Letters of Recommendation, Statements of Purpose, academic essays and CVs.
What connects these three areas is the same practical angle. She does not write about tests, courses or application documents in the abstract. She writes about what students need to know when they are actively deciding: which test is required for a specific course and destination, what a particular discipline looks like across different countries, and what makes an SOP or LOR work for a student with a specific academic background. That specificity comes from two decades of student consultations.
Her articles across the AECC platform have been read over 650,000 times. The breadth of topics she covers reflects the range of questions students bring to consultations, from which exam to take first to how to write a CV that works for an international university application. She holds an MBA in Marketing and is based at AECC's Tamil Nadu offices.
