Do you have a PTE Academic examination ahead? Or maybe you’ve just taken the test and you’re currently looking at your results, scratching your head at what some numbers mean. PTE Academic is recognized by universities, polytechnics, and government departments in Australia and is the preferred English language test of the New Zealand government. But knowledge of your score, what it means, and how to turn it into useful insights is crucial to success.

This blog will break down everything you need to know about the PTE Academic score chart. From understanding the scoring system to its comparison with IELTS and TOEFL, and even tips to boost your performance, we’ve got you covered.

What is the PTE Academic Exam?

PTE Academic is a computer-based academic English language test aimed at non-native English speakers who wish to study abroad in an English-speaking institution. Students and professionals take it because they want to study, live, and work in an English-speaking environment.

One major distinctive feature about PTE Academic is the fast, impartial, and unbiased AI-driven scoring. The scores are available within 48 hours of the testing time, so it is one of the fastest ways you can test English. And the test is accepted at thousands of academic institutions, immigration agencies, and businesses worldwide.

Understanding the PTE Scoring System

The PTE Academic scale ranges from 10 to 90. Four distinct results are reported for each candidate for the overall, and for each of the four skills (speaking, writing, listening, and reading). Here is what the scale generally reflects:

• 10-30: Very limited proficiency in English
• 31-50: Basic understanding of English with limited ability to communicate effectively
• 51-63: Intermediate proficiency, suitable for general communication
• 64-75: Good proficiency, capable of academic or professional communication
• 76-90: Advanced proficiency, demonstrates near-native fluency in English

The evaluation is completed by the automated system, providing consistent and unbiased results. The accuracy is ensured by considering a set of parameters such as range, fluency, pronunciation, and vocabulary.

Section-Wise Breakdown of the PTE Academic Exam

Speaking (Including Oral Fluency and Pronunciation)

The speaking part assesses how well you can express your ideas smoothly and logically. Challenges include reading aloud, repeating a sentence, and describing a picture. Your ability to speak and be understood in English is also essential to your score in this part.

Pro tip: Instead of over-correcting pronunciation, concentrate on delivering your replies as naturally as possible; the AI favors fluency over trying to sound perfect.

Writing (Grammar, Spelling, and Clarity)

The Writing test examines your capacity to write structured content and language. Activities there feature submitting essays and summarising written texts. Other than grammar and spelling, how well you write and how much you get your point across significantly influence your score.

Pro tip: Get to know other essay styles (argumentative, problem-solution) to bump up your extensions.

Reading (Comprehension and Vocabulary)

This part tests your skill to understand written materials. Tasks include multiple-choice questions, fill-in-the-blanks, and re-order paragraphs. Your score is heavily influenced by reading accuracy and vocabulary.

Pro tip:

Try to skim and scan to find key information as fast as possible.

Listening (Active Listening and Detail Recognition)

The Listening section measures your ability to understand spoken English. Questions cover misspelled words, transcription, and summary of spoken text. Being precise in recognizing important concepts and exact phrases is necessary.

Pro tip:

Condition yourself to react by exposing yourself to different styles of English accents (American, British, Australian).

PTE Score Chart vs IELTS and TOEFL

Unsure of how your PTE score matches up to IELTS or TOEFL benchmarks? It’s a quick way to get a feel for where you stand:

PTE Score	IELTS Equivalent	TOEFL Equivalent
30	5	31
50	5	46
65	0	79
79	0	99+
85+	0	110+

While these equivalences provide a general guideline, always verify the specific requirements of your target university or institution as they may vary.

Minimum Scores Required by Popular Universities

Here are some examples of PTE Academic score requirements by top universities worldwide:

• Harvard University (USA): Minimum recommended score of 70
• University of Melbourne (Australia): Overall score of 58-65 depending on the program
• Oxford University (UK): Overall score of 67 or higher
• University of Toronto (Canada): Minimum score of 63
• Technical University of Munich (Germany): Overall score of 65

These examples demonstrate that while requirements differ across institutions, achieving a PTE score in the 65+ range will open doors to a wide array of academic opportunities.

Tips to Improve Your PTE Score

1. Leverage a PTE Score Calculator

Use tools like a PTE score calculator to estimate your section-wise scores and identify areas that need improvement.

2. Take Practice Tests

Familiarize yourself with the test format by taking as many full-length practice tests as possible. This will improve your time management and reduce test-day anxiety.

3. Invest in Quality Study Material

Stick to reputable materials like Pearson’s official guides and reliable PTE prep courses.

4. Perfect Your Time Management

Spend ample time practicing tasks that pose the most difficulty. For instance, ensure you finish Write from Dictation, as missing it can significantly harm your Listening score.

5. Focus on Weak Areas

If speaking is your weakest section, practice pronunciation daily. For Writing, improve grammar by using proofreading tools like Grammarly or Outwrite.

6. Seek Expert Guidance

Sometimes, self-study isn’t enough. Consider enrolling in a PTE preparation course or hiring a tutor for personalized academic support.

Your Next Achievement Starts Here

The PTE Academic score table is more interesting than just some numbers; it provides a venue to understand where you are and where you need to be. If you’re trying to apply for a university program, a visa or any professional certification, then knowing, understanding your score and working for your goal should be your first goal.

Remember, confidence is key. Use the tools, resources, and tips shared in this guide to optimize your PTE preparation. Need help getting started? Try using a PTE score calculator, and begin building the foundation for your success today.