PTE Core Score Chart 2026 with CLB Conversion
PTE Core is an English-language proficiency test developed by Pearson, designed especially for individuals applying for immigration, work, or everyday language-use contexts rather than purely academic ones. According to the official guide, PTE Core assesses the four standard skills — Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing — and gives a score between 10 and 90 for each skill.
For people planning to immigrate to Canada, language proficiency is evaluated using the Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). To make PTE Core results acceptable for immigration or visa-related purposes, there must be a reliable mapping between PTE Core scores and CLB levels. This mapping is provided by Pearson and is periodically updated.
As of January 2024, the most recent alignment between PTE Core and CLB levels is available. It remains in use in 2025 and thus forms the basis for what one can call a “2026 PTE Core–CLB conversion chart.”
The PTE Core → CLB Conversion Chart (as of Jan 2024)
Below is the full conversion table released by Pearson (valid as of Jan 2024).
CLB Level | Listening (PTE Core) | Reading (PTE Core) | Speaking (PTE Core) | Writing (PTE Core) |
10 | 89–90 | 88–90 | 89–90 | 90 |
9 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 84–88 | 88–89 |
8 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 76–83 | 79–87 |
7 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 68–75 | 69–78 |
6 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 59–67 | 60–68 |
5 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–58 | 51–59 |
4 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 42–50 | 41–50 |
3 | 18–27 | 24–32 | 34–41 | 32–40 |
Key points to note:
Each CLB level corresponds to a range of scores in each skill — for example, to achieve CLB 8 in Listening, you need a PTE Core Listening score between 71 and 81, and to get CLB 8 in Writing, you need 79–87.
The ranges are not identical across skills. For example, CLB 7 requires Listening 60–70 but Writing 69–78. This reflects differences in how the four language skills are assessed.
The conversion is based on empirical research and expert judgement. As per the table’s documentation, after field testing and a standards verification activity, examiners agreed with the CLB classification for 23 out of 24 test takers — more than 95% agreement.
Pearson notes that alignment tables may be reviewed and updated, so it’s always prudent to check the latest on the official website (or through the official score-sharing portal) before submitting results to immigration authorities.
What the Score Chart Means — Interpreting PTE Core Results in Real Life
Understanding what exactly PTE Core scores + CLB mapping translate to in terms of actual English proficiency helps test-takers set realistic goals. The blog from Gurully (a popular PTE-prep website) offers a useful, albeit approximate, interpretive framework.
Here is a rough interpretation of PTE Core numeric score ranges (across skills) in terms of general English ability:
85–90: Near-native fluency. You can comfortably understand and express nuanced ideas in almost any context.
76–84: Strong command of English. You may make minor mistakes occasionally, but overall communicate fluently and effectively.
59–75: Functional and confident user. You can handle everyday conversations, work situations, and moderately complex tasks.
43–58: Moderate proficiency. You’ll manage common situations, simple communication, but complex tasks might be challenging.
30–42: Basic ability. Limited to familiar or simple conversations; likely to struggle with complex or academic-level input.
Below 30: Weak proficiency. Significant difficulty with fluency, comprehension, and accurate expression.
When you map these interpretations to CLB levels using the official chart, you see a concrete translation: for example, speaking and writing at the upper-end of 70s or 80s sits you in CLB 8–10 — indicating "good to excellent" English proficiency. In contrast, PTE Core scores in the 40s–50s correspond to CLB 5–6 — adequate but often insufficient for high-skill immigration streams.
Why CLB Matters — Immigration, Programs, and Eligibility
CLB levels are not just academic labels — they are used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) as eligibility benchmarks for various immigration and immigration-related programs.
Here are some typical use-cases:
For the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) under the Express Entry pathway, a minimum of CLB 7 is often required. That translates to around 60+ in Listening/Reading, 68+ in Speaking, and 69+ in Writing on PTE Core.
For less-demanding immigration streams — such as certain Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) — CLB 5–6 might suffice, meaning PTE Core scores in the 40s–50s range could fulfil language requirements.
In work contexts, especially in jobs classified under lower NOCs (for example NOC B), a moderate CLB may suffice.
Thus, knowing your target CLB for your immigration/work objective allows you to reverse-engineer what PTE Core scores you should aim for.
Implications and Strategy — How to Use the Chart for Score Targeting
Understanding the PTE Core ↔ CLB equivalency table helps you build a smart preparation strategy:
Set realistic per-skill targets: Instead of chasing an overall “good score,” aim for minimum per-skill scores aligned with the CLB level you need. For example, if your goal is CLB 8, ensure Listening ≥ 71, Reading ≥ 69, Speaking ≥ 76, Writing ≥ 79.
Priorities weaker skills: Since the ranges differ by skill, a strong overall score may mask weak areas. For example, one may be strong at Listening and Reading but weaker at Speaking or Writing, which could bring down the CLB level.
Check program-specific requirements: Immigration pathways and provincial programs may set different minimum CLB thresholds. Always confirm with official IRCC or relevant provincial guidance.
Use mock tests wisely: Practicing under realistic conditions helps you approximate how your real PTE Core scores may map to CLB — especially if mock tests simulate exam timings, question types, and AI-scoring format. Blogs like the one from Gurully note that PTE Core uses AI-based scoring.
Plan for retakes or skill-specific improvements: If one or more skills are falling short, targeted practice — for instance, writing tasks or speaking drills — can help raise those specific scores, which may lift the overall CLB equivalency.
Limitations & Important Caveats
While the PTE Core ↔ CLB conversion chart is very useful, there are some caveats to keep in mind:
The alignment table reflects ranges, not absolutes — being at the lower edge of a range may not guarantee smooth communication equivalent to that CLB level. Real-world proficiency can vary depending on other factors (context, complexity, stress, etc.).
Although the conversion is empirically validated, language proficiency is not everything — other factors like comprehension speed, cultural/contextual understanding, vocabulary breadth, and accent may matter, especially in real-life communication or professional contexts.
As per Pearson’s documentation, the alignment tables are subject to periodic review. What holds in 2024 may be adjusted in future revisions if new data suggests recalibration is needed.
Finally — and crucially — even if your PTE Core scores map to a high CLB, individual immigration or visa applications may have additional non-language criteria (work experience, age, education, job offer, etc.), so language is only one part of the eligibility equation.
Conclusion
For anyone preparing to use PTE Core for immigration or work-visa purposes (especially for Canada), understanding the official PTE Core → CLB conversion chart is essential. As of the latest official alignment (Jan 2024), the table clearly shows how numeric PTE Core results translate into CLB levels across Listening, Reading, Speaking, and Writing.
By using that chart intelligently — setting per-skill targets, aligning them with the CLB requirements of your desired immigration program, and focusing on weak areas — you can plan a more efficient and effective preparation strategy.
Also Read:
- New PTE Core Score Chart: Know How To Set Your Target Score
- Understand Important Changes in PTE Scoring & Update Your Preparation
- PTE Short Response Practice for High Scores – Complete 2026 Guide