You scored a 6.5 on IELTS. A university wants "TOEFL 90 or equivalent." Your friend took PTE Academic and got a 65. Are any of these the same level of English? The short answer is: roughly, yes — and this English test score conversion chart shows you exactly how IELTS, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, the Duolingo English Test, and CELPIP line up in 2026.
Because every major English test maps to the CEFR framework (A1 to C2), you can translate a score on one test into an approximate score on another. Below are the concordances students and admissions teams use most — plus the one caveat that matters before you rely on any of them.
English Test Score Conversion Chart (CEFR-Anchored)
CEFR is the common backbone. Each test publishes its own CEFR mapping, so the cleanest way to compare scores across tests is to anchor them to a shared CEFR level. These ranges are approximate:
| CEFR Level | IELTS (0–9) | TOEFL iBT (0–120) | PTE Academic (10–90) | Duolingo (10–160) | CELPIP / CLB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2 (Mastery) | 8.5–9.0 | 114–120 | 85–90 | 140–160 | CLB 10–12 |
| C1 (Advanced) | 7.0–8.0 | 95–113 | 76–84 | 120–135 | CLB 9 |
| B2 (Upper Int.) | 5.5–6.5 | 72–94 | 59–75 | 95–115 | CLB 7–8 |
| B1 (Intermediate) | 4.0–5.0 | 42–71 | 43–58 | 60–90 | CLB 5–6 |
| A2 (Elementary) | 3.0–3.5 | 30–41 | 30–42 | 35–55 | CLB 3–4 |
These are approximate CEFR alignments, not official equivalence guarantees. Always confirm the exact score a university or immigration authority accepts.
IELTS to TOEFL to PTE Score Conversion (Direct)
If you already have one score and want the closest equivalent on another test, this side-by-side conversion is the one most study-abroad applicants need. The ranges below reflect the published IELTS–TOEFL and IELTS–PTE concordances:
| IELTS Band | TOEFL iBT | PTE Academic | Typical Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | 118–120 | 87–90 | Top scholarships, C2 evidence |
| 8.0 | 110–117 | 83–86 | Elite universities, PR points max |
| 7.5 | 102–109 | 79–82 | Competitive Master's programs |
| 7.0 | 94–101 | 68–78 | Most postgraduate courses |
| 6.5 | 79–93 | 58–67 | Standard undergraduate entry |
| 6.0 | 60–78 | 50–57 | Foundation / pathway programs |
| 5.5 | 46–59 | 42–49 | Below most degree minimums |
Why Score Conversions Are Approximate (Read This First)
No two English tests measure the same skills in the same way. IELTS Speaking is a live human interview; PTE and TOEFL are computer-scored. TOEFL leans academic; Duolingo is adaptive and shorter. So a "conversion" is a best-fit alignment, not a mathematical formula. Three rules keep you safe:
1. The institution's number is the only one that counts
A university that asks for "IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 90" has set both minimums itself. Do not assume your PTE 60 will be accepted just because it maps to IELTS 6.5 — check that they accept PTE at all, and at what score.
2. Section minimums can override the overall score
Many programs (and visa categories) require a minimum in each skill — for example, IELTS 6.0 overall but no band below 5.5. A strong overall score can still be rejected on one weak section.
3. Immigration and university requirements differ
Canada's Express Entry uses CLB via IELTS General, CELPIP, or PTE Core — a different scale from the academic tests above. If your goal is PR, see our PTE Core CLB requirements guide and CELPIP vs IELTS comparison rather than the academic conversion tables.
Find Your Equivalent Score Without Guessing
Conversion charts tell you where you should land. A diagnostic tells you where you actually land right now — on the specific test you plan to take. PrepareBuddy supports 11+ test types, and its scoring engine reports results on each test's native scale (IELTS Band, TOEFL 0–120, PTE 10–90, OET A–E, CLB 1–12), so you never have to convert manually.
- Take a free diagnostic test to see your current level mapped to CEFR and to a predicted band.
- Practice IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic with unlimited AI-generated tests scored on official criteria.
- Sharpen speaking with Voice AI — real-time pronunciation and fluency feedback across 30+ English accents.
With 95% AI scoring accuracy from multi-model verification, the score you see in practice is close to the score you'll see on test day — on whichever test you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is a PTE 65 the same as IELTS 6.5?
Approximately, yes. PTE Academic 58–67 aligns with IELTS 6.5 in the published concordance, both sitting at CEFR B2. Always confirm the exact score your target institution requires.
What TOEFL score equals IELTS 7.0?
IELTS 7.0 corresponds to roughly TOEFL iBT 94–101, which is CEFR C1. A TOEFL 100 is the round number most competitive Master's programs cite.
Which English test is easiest to score high on?
No test is objectively easier — they measure the same CEFR levels. The right choice depends on which format suits you (computer vs. human speaking, academic vs. general content) and which tests your destination accepts. A diagnostic across tests is the fastest way to find your strongest format.
Do universities convert scores between tests?
No. Universities set separate minimums for each test they accept and evaluate your score against that test's threshold. Use conversion charts only to estimate a target, never to assume acceptance.
Start With Your Real Number
A conversion chart is a map; a diagnostic is your GPS location. Before you pick a test or a target, find out where you actually stand. Try a free practice test and get your score on any of 11+ exams, or talk to our team about preparing for the test your destination requires.
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