PTE to IELTS Overall Score Conversion
Pearson (PTE) and the IELTS partners (IDP / British Council) have published official score equivalency guidance. Use this table to convert your PTE score to the equivalent IELTS band.
| PTE Academic Score | IELTS Band Equivalent | CEFR Level |
|---|---|---|
| 85–90 | 9.0 | C2 |
| 79–84 | 8.5 | C2 |
| 73–78 | 8.0 | C1 |
| 65–72 | 7.5 | C1 |
| 58–64 | 7.0 | C1 |
| 50–57 | 6.5 | B2 |
| 43–49 | 6.0 | B2 |
| 36–42 | 5.5 | B1 |
| 30–35 | 5.0 | B1 |
| Below 30 | Below 5.0 | Below B1 |
Note: These are approximate equivalencies. Individual universities and visa authorities may use their own conversion guidelines. Always check the official requirement for your specific institution.
Common PTE Score Lookups
These are the most searched PTE to IELTS conversions from Nepali students:
| PTE Score | IELTS Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 30 | 4.0 |
| 36 | 4.5 |
| 42 | 5.0 |
| 50 | 5.5 |
| 58 | 6.0 |
| 64 | 6.5 |
| 67 | 6.5 |
| 68 | 6.5 |
| 72 | 7.0 |
| 79 | 7.0 |
| 83 | 7.5 |
| 84 | 7.5 |
| 90 | 8.0 |
Source: Pearson official PTE Academic score guide. Note that universities may set their own minimum scores — always confirm with your institution.
Related guidesIELTS vs PTE — Which is Better for Nepal?IELTS Score Requirements for Australian UniversitiesAustralia Student Visa Guide
Section-by-Section Score Conversion
Universities and visa authorities often require minimum scores in individual components (listening, reading, writing, speaking), not just overall. Use this table to check section-level equivalencies.
| IELTS Band (Section) | PTE Score (Section) |
|---|---|
| 9.0 | 84–90 |
| 8.0 | 76–83 |
| 7.5 | 68–75 |
| 7.0 | 59–67 |
| 6.5 | 50–58 |
| 6.0 | 43–49 |
| 5.5 | 36–42 |
| 5.0 | 30–35 |
PTE vs IELTS: Which Score is Easier to Achieve?
| Factor | PTE Academic | IELTS Academic |
|---|---|---|
| Scored by | AI (fully automated) | Human examiners (Speaking & Writing) |
| Results | 3–5 business days | 3–5 days (computer), 13 days (paper) |
| Speaking | Recorded, AI-scored | Face-to-face with examiner |
| Writing Task 1 | Summarise written text / essay | Describe a graph or chart |
| Accent bias | None (AI scoring) | Slight bias possible with human examiners |
| Retake waiting period | Same day booking available | No official waiting period |
| Score validity | 2 years | 2 years |
| Price in Nepal | from NPR 32,000 via finduni.ai | NPR 31,000 via finduni.ai |
University Score Requirements: PTE vs IELTS Side by Side
| University | IELTS Requirement | PTE Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| University of Melbourne | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 58 overall, no section below 50 |
| University of Sydney | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 58 overall, no section below 50 |
| UNSW | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 58 overall, no section below 50 |
| Monash University | 6.0 overall, no band below 6.0 | 50 overall, no section below 50 |
| RMIT University | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 50 overall, no section below 42 |
| University of Leeds | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 58 overall, no section below 50 |
| University of Manchester | 6.5 overall, no band below 6.0 | 58 overall, no section below 50 |
| Coventry University | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 50 overall, no section below 42 |
| University of East London | 6.0 overall, no band below 5.5 | 51 overall |
Visa Score Requirements: PTE vs IELTS
| Visa | IELTS Minimum | PTE Minimum | Duolingo Accepted? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia Subclass 500 | 5.5 overall, no band below 5.0 | 30 overall, no section below 30 | No |
| UK Student Route (degree level) | 5.5 in all four components | 51 overall | Yes (since 2024) |
| UK Student Route (below degree) | 4.0 in all four components | 36 overall | Yes (since 2024) |
Should Nepali Students Choose PTE or IELTS?
Both tests are equally accepted by Australian and UK universities and visa authorities. The right choice depends on your individual strengths:
- Choose PTE if: You are nervous about speaking face-to-face with an examiner, you type quickly, you want results in 3–5 days, or you find the AI-scored format more predictable.
- Choose IELTS if: You prefer handwriting to typing, you are comfortable speaking to a human examiner, or your preparation materials are already IELTS-focused.
- Consider cost and availability: IELTS starts from NPR 32,000 through finduni.ai (depending on provider and format) and PTE is NPR 31,000 with a flat NPR 5,500 saving. IELTS has more test centres across Nepal (Kathmandu, Pokhara, Chitwan, Biratnagar, Butwal, Itahari). PTE is available in Kathmandu and select cities.
- Ask Tankey: Our AI counselor can assess your profile and recommend whether PTE or IELTS is better suited to your situation and target university.
Book IELTS or PTE from NPR 31,000
Both IELTS Academic and PTE Academic are available through finduni.ai at discounted rates. IELTS starts from NPR 32,000 (varies by provider and format), saving up to NPR 1,000 vs official. PTE Academic is NPR 31,000, saving NPR 5,500 vs the official NPR 36,500. Select your test, choose a date and city, and receive confirmation within 4 hours.