Written byFizza Butool ZaidiIELTS teacher for 10+ years, PTE for 5Updated 30 October 2026
What a score of 79 means
Pearson puts 79 in its 76–84 band: a very high level where a test taker understands demanding, longer texts and implicit meaning, speaks fluently and spontaneously, and writes well-structured, detailed text on complex subjects. Pearson says this level is generally not required for undergraduate courses (Pearson).
On Pearson's IELTS table, overall 79–85 matches IELTS 8.0. For IELTS 8.0 the skill ranges are 69–74 listening, 70–74 reading, 88–89 speaking and 85–89 writing (Score Guide).
| IELTS | PTE overall | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7.5 | 71–78 | 64–68 | 65–69 | 83–87 | 77–84 |
| 8.0 | 79–85 | 69–74 | 70–74 | 88–89 | 85–89 |
| 8.5 | 86–89 | 75–80 | 75–80 | 90 | 90 |
Australian visas: 79 each is Proficient on new tests
For a PTE Academic taken on or after 7 August 2025, Superior English needs at least 69 listening, 70 reading, 85 writing and 88 speaking (Home Affairs). A flat 79 passes listening and reading but falls short in writing and speaking, so it counts as Proficient (58, 59, 69, 76) (Home Affairs).
On tests taken before 7 August 2025, Superior was 79 in each skill. Home Affairs says older results may still be used for up to 3 years, depending on the visa subclass.
| Home Affairs level | Overall | Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proficient | – | 58 | 59 | 69 | 76 |
| Superior | – | 69 | 70 | 85 | 88 |
Know your target? Check where you stand
Take a free AI-scored PTE mock and see your score per skill before you book the real test. Free account, no card.
Take a free mock →Practise before you book: free PTE mock test, PTE predictions, PTE Core practice test and PTE to IELTS converter.
Universities
Pearson's typical minimums are 51–60 for undergraduate and 57–67 for postgraduate degrees (Score Guide), so an overall 79 clears both by a wide margin. Where a course sets skill minimums, check each one: the same overall can hide a weaker skill.
For lists of universities by score, see universities accepting PTE 65 in the UK and in the USA.
Frequently asked questions
Is PTE 79 equal to IELTS 8?+
Pearson's table puts overall 79–85 at IELTS 8.0.
Is PTE 79 each Superior English?+
Only on tests taken before 7 August 2025. Newer tests need 69 listening, 70 reading, 85 writing and 88 speaking.
Do I need 79 for university?+
Rarely. Pearson says the 76–84 level is generally not required for undergraduate courses, and its typical postgraduate range is 57–67.
What PTE score is Proficient English now?+
At least 58 listening, 59 reading, 69 writing and 76 speaking, on tests from 7 August 2025.
Keep reading
Related
- Is PTE 65 good?
- What is the highest PTE score?
- PTE vs IELTS for Australia PR
- English tests for Australian visas
- All 3112 guides
Guide updated on 30 October 2026. Individual prices and policies may have earlier observation dates. Confirm current details on the linked official pages before you book or apply.
© 2026 BandLadder. Written and checked by the BandLadder team. You may quote or cite this page with credit to BandLadder and a link to it; republishing it in full needs our written permission. Content use policy