PTE to CEFR Converter

PTE Academic uses the Pearson Global Scale of English (GSE), a 10 to 90 scale aligned to CEFR. Per Pearson: 85 to 90 = C2, 76 to 84 = C1, 59 to 75 = B2, 43 to 58 = B1, 30 to 42 = A2, 10 to 29 = A1. The GSE was designed to provide a numeric score within each CEFR level, so a PTE 76 (low C1) and a PTE 84 (high C1) are both reported as C1 with very different sub-level granularity. Note: this mapping is for PTE Academic only; PTE Core (used for Canadian IRCC immigration) uses different score ranges.

Yes, very widely. PTE Academic is accepted by 3,500+ universities worldwide, including all UK universities, all Australian and New Zealand universities, and 100% of Australian state and territory governments for skilled migration. UK Home Office accepts PTE Academic UKVI for Tier 4 / Student visa and Skilled Worker visa. The CEFR equivalence is published by Pearson and treated as standard at most institutions that list CEFR thresholds. The 2-day result turnaround is the fastest among major English tests.

Per Pearson Global Scale of English: PTE 85 to 90 = CEFR C2 (Mastery). PTE 76 to 84 = CEFR C1 (Effective Operational Proficiency). PTE 59 to 75 = CEFR B2 (Vantage). PTE 43 to 58 = CEFR B1 (Threshold). PTE 30 to 42 = CEFR A2 (Waystage). PTE 10 to 29 = CEFR A1 (Breakthrough). The mapping uses the overall score; per-skill scores follow the same scale but each skill has its own CEFR level.

PTE Academic is the test used for university admissions, Australian skilled migration, UK Home Office visas, and most CEFR-equivalent uses. PTE Core is a newer Pearson test designed specifically for Canadian permanent residence and citizenship; it maps directly to the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) scale, not CEFR. Different test, different scoring scale, different acceptance list. This converter handles PTE Academic only. For PTE Core to CLB, use the IRCC official conversion table.

PTE Academic scores are valid for 2 years from the test date for visa, university admission, and employer use, in line with IELTS and TOEFL. Australian skilled migration applications must be lodged within the 2-year window. Universities apply their own validity (typically 2 years). The CEFR level itself does not expire, but most institutions enforce the 2-year window because language proficiency can fade.

The Pearson Global Scale of English (GSE) was designed to provide finer granularity than CEFR alone. CEFR is a 6-level qualitative framework; GSE adds a 10 to 90 numeric overlay so universities and employers can set precise thresholds (e.g., 65 minimum for engineering vs 58 for humanities) within the same CEFR level. The numeric scale also makes year-over-year score change easier to read than moving from one CEFR level to another.

Yes, all UK universities accept PTE Academic for international applications. PTE Academic UKVI is on the Home Office Secure English Language Test (SELT) list, so it satisfies the Tier 4 / Student visa and Skilled Worker visa English requirement directly. The standard PTE thresholds at UK universities are PTE 59+ (CEFR B2) for undergraduate and PTE 65 to 70+ (CEFR B2 high to C1) for postgraduate, with per-skill minimums often added (e.g., no skill below 59).

For Australian skilled migration: PTE Academic is the most commonly chosen option (fast results, computer-based, accepted by 100% of Australian state and territory programs). For UK universities and visas: PTE Academic UKVI works for both. For US universities: TOEFL iBT remains the dominant choice; PTE Academic is accepted at most but not all institutions. For Canadian PR: take PTE Core (not PTE Academic) or CELPIP / IELTS GT. For fastest results overall: PTE Academic (2 calendar days vs 3 to 13 days for IELTS).