IELTS, PTE & CLB Score Charts + Free Converter
Official IELTS band descriptors, PTE Academic, and PTE Core → CLB conversion charts — plus an instant score converter tool.
Score Converter
Enter your score in any one field — we'll instantly show you the equivalent IELTS, PTE Academic, and CLB level.
*CLB is officially calculated only from IELTS General Training or PTE Core (not PTE Academic). This is an approximate guide based on the IELTS↔PTE Academic concordance — always confirm your exact CLB using your official PTE Core or IELTS GT score card, or ask our counsellors to verify it for free.
IELTS Band Score Descriptors
What each overall band score means in terms of English proficiency.
| Band | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9 | Expert | Full operational command of English. Appropriate, accurate and fluent. |
| 8 | Very Good | Fully operational command with only occasional inaccuracies. |
| 7 | Good | Operational command, generally handles complex language well. |
| 6 | Competent | Generally effective command despite some inaccuracies and misunderstandings. |
| 5 | Modest | Partial command, copes with overall meaning in most situations. |
| 4 | Limited | Basic competence limited to familiar situations. |
| 3 | Extremely Limited | Conveys/understands only general meaning in very familiar situations. |
PTE Academic to IELTS Score Chart
Official Pearson concordance table — use this to estimate your IELTS-equivalent score from a PTE Academic result.
| PTE Academic Score | IELTS Equivalent Band |
|---|---|
| 90 | 9.0 |
| 86 | 8.5 |
| 79 | 8.0 |
| 71 | 7.5 |
| 63 | 7.0 |
| 55 | 6.5 |
| 47 | 6.0 |
| 39 | 5.5 |
| 31 | 5.0 |
| 24 | 4.5 |
Source: Pearson PTE Academic Score Guide — official IELTS concordance, updated July 2025.
IELTS General Training to CLB Chart
The official IRCC chart used to calculate your Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level for Express Entry & PR.
| CLB Level | Reading | Writing | Listening | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 8.0 | 7.5 | 8.5 | 7.5 |
| CLB 9 | 7.0 | 7.0 | 8.0 | 7.0 |
| CLB 8 | 6.5 | 6.5 | 7.5 | 6.5 |
| CLB 7 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 | 6.0 |
| CLB 6 | 5.0 | 5.5 | 5.5 | 5.5 |
| CLB 5 | 4.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 | 5.0 |
| CLB 4 | 3.5 | 4.0 | 4.5 | 4.0 |
Your overall CLB level is the lowest of your four skill-wise CLB scores — not an average.
PTE Core to CLB Score Chart
PTE Core is Pearson's dedicated test for Canadian immigration — this official chart converts each skill score directly to CLB.
| CLB Level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 89-90 | 88-90 | 89-90 | 90 |
| CLB 9 | 82-88 | 78-87 | 84-88 | 88-89 |
| CLB 8 | 71-81 | 69-77 | 76-83 | 79-87 |
| CLB 7 | 60-70 | 60-68 | 68-75 | 69-78 |
| CLB 6 | 50-59 | 51-59 | 59-67 | 60-68 |
| CLB 5 | 39-49 | 42-50 | 51-58 | 51-59 |
| CLB 4 | 28-38 | 33-41 | 42-50 | 41-50 |
| CLB 3 | 18-27 | 24-32 | 34-41 | 32-40 |
Source: Pearson PTE Core Score Guide (official CLB conversion, Jan 2024 version). Note: PTE Core is a different exam from PTE Academic — it is used only for Canadian immigration (Express Entry, PR, citizenship), not for study visas.
Common Questions
What IELTS score is equal to CLB 7?
IELTS General Training band 6.0 in each of Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking equals CLB 7 — the minimum typically required for Express Entry and most Canadian PR programs.
What PTE Core score is equal to CLB 7?
On PTE Core: Listening 60-70, Reading 60-68, Speaking 68-75 and Writing 69-78 each equal CLB 7. Your overall CLB is the lowest of your four skill CLBs, not an average.
Is PTE Academic the same as PTE Core?
No. PTE Academic (scored 10-90) is accepted for study visas and immigration to Australia, New Zealand and the UK, and converts to an IELTS-equivalent score. PTE Core is a separate Pearson test built specifically for Canadian immigration and converts directly to CLB.
Which test should I take — IELTS or PTE?
It depends on your destination and comfort with computer-delivered tests. Canada PR applicants often prefer PTE Core for its fast AI-scored results; study visa applicants to the UK/Australia/NZ can choose either IELTS or PTE Academic. Talk to our counsellors for a personalised recommendation.
Not Sure Which Score You Need?
Tell us your target country and visa type — our counsellors will tell you exactly which test to take and what score to aim for, free of cost.
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