You’ve researched the English tests. You know that a university might ask for an IELTS Band 7.5, a TOEFL iBT score of 102, or a PTE Academic score of 73.
But what do all these different numbers mean when compared to each other?
Understanding score equivalencies is crucial. It helps you know what your score from one test might mean on another, and it gives you a clear picture of the proficiency level that institutions are asking for. While each test is different, their scores can be mapped to a global standard.
This guide provides a clear, up-to-date score conversion chart to help you understand how the scores for IELTS, TOEFL, and PTE relate to each other and to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR).
First, A Quick Look at the Scoring Systems
To understand the comparison, it helps to know how each test is scored individually.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System):
IELTS uses a 9-band scale. Your score is given in whole bands (e.g., 6.0, 7.0) or half bands (e.g., 6.5, 7.5). Your overall score is an average of your performance in the four skills: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language):
The TOEFL iBT is scored on a scale of 0 to 120. Each of the four sections (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing) is scored from 0 to 30, and these four scores are added together to get your final total.
PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English):
PTE Academic uses a granular score scale from 10 to 90. Like TOEFL, it is a fully computer-based test, but its scoring is “integrated,” meaning a single question can contribute to the scores of multiple skills.
IELTS vs TOEFL vs PTE : The Official Score Conversion Chart
While there is no single, universally agreed-upon conversion table that is 100% precise (because the tests measure slightly different things), the tables published by the test makers (ETS for TOEFL and Pearson for PTE) provide a very reliable guide.
This chart shows the widely accepted equivalent scores.
| Proficiency Level | CEFR Level | IELTS Band Score | TOEFL iBT Score | PTE Academic Score |
| Expert / Proficient | C2 | 8.5 – 9.0 | 118 – 120 | 89 – 90 |
| Advanced | C1 | 7.0 – 8.0 | 94 – 117 | 65 – 88 |
| Upper-Intermediate | B2 | 5.5 – 6.5 | 72 – 93 | 43 – 64 |
| Intermediate | B1 | 4.0 – 5.0 | 42 – 71 | 30 – 42 |
| Basic / Elementary | A1 – A2 | Below 4.0 | Below 41 | Below 29 |
What is the CEFR?
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a global standard for describing language ability. It uses a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners to C2 for those who have mastered a language. The CEFR is the “common ground” that allows us to compare scores from different tests in a meaningful way. Most universities require a B2 or C1 level of proficiency.
How to Use This Score Conversion Chart?
This chart is a powerful tool for your preparation.
- Benchmarking Requirements: If a university asks for a TOEFL score of 100, you can see that this is roughly equivalent to an IELTS Band 7.0-7.5. This helps you understand the level of proficiency they expect.
- Comparing Your Practice Scores: If you’ve taken a practice test for one exam, you can get a rough idea of where you might stand on another.
- Making a Strategic Choice: If you find one test’s scoring system more favorable to your skills, this chart can help you decide which test to take.
Important Note: Always remember that each university or institution sets its own minimum score requirements. Some may have specific sub-score requirements (e.g., “an overall IELTS score of 7.0 with no less than 6.5 in any skill”).
The official conversion tables are a guide, but the institution’s own requirements are the final rule.
Need help deciding which test is actually easier for you?
👉 See our ultimate comparison: IELTS vs. TOEFL vs. PTE.
