Is PTE 81 a good score?
IELTS 8.0 describes a very good user. An overall comparison does not establish admission or visa eligibility. Check the required overall and individual skill scores with your institution or visa authority. The next Pearson overall range starts at PTE 86 (IELTS 8.5), 5 points above 81. This gap does not predict how long improvement will take.
Skill scores that match IELTS 8.0
Universities and visa bodies often set a minimum per skill, not just overall. These are the PTE communicative-skill ranges that concord to IELTS 8.0 in each module.
| Skill | PTE range for IELTS 8.0 |
|---|---|
| Listening | 69–74 |
| Reading | 70–74 |
| Speaking | 88–89 |
| Writing | 85–89 |
Pearson and IELTS Partners: published comparisons for IELTS 8.0
Pearson published its concordance for the enhanced PTE Academic in July 2025; the IELTS Partners publish a separate study. The values below are shown as published, without rounding the IELTS Partners' figures into minimum scores. These comparisons should not be combined into one scale.
| Score compared with IELTS 8.0 | Pearson (2025) | IELTS Partners |
|---|---|---|
| Overall | 79–85 | 82.3 |
| Listening | 69–74 | 79.4 |
| Reading | 70–74 | 78.4 |
| Speaking | 88–89 | 80.9 |
| Writing | 85–89 | 89.4 |
What PTE 81 / IELTS 8.0 means for visas
An overall score cannot establish your English level for a visa. Check each skill against the official requirements below and the rules for your test date; meeting an English requirement alone does not establish visa eligibility.
Australia: If you scored 81 in each of the four PTE Academic skills, your English level would be Proficient English for a test taken from 7 August 2025 (it was Superior English under the old table, which still covers tests taken on or before 6 August 2025). Check your four skill scores with the PTE points calculator or see PTE Superior English.
| Country / level | IELTS (each skill) | PTE Academic (each skill) |
|---|---|---|
| Australia: Vocational English | 5.0 | 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 (L/R/W/S) |
| Australia: Competent English | 6.0 | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 (L/R/W/S) |
| Australia: Proficient English (10 points) | 7.0 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 (L/R/W/S) |
| Australia: Superior English (20 points) | 8.0 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 (L/R/W/S) |
These PTE Academic minimums apply to tests taken from 7 August 2025. Earlier tests use different requirements. Verify each skill and the applicable test-date rules on the linked Department of Home Affairs page.
Get from PTE 81 to 86
Take a free AI-scored PTE Academic mock, see which skill is holding the overall down, and practise that task type until the score moves.
Take a free mock →Frequently asked questions
What is PTE 81 in IELTS?+
A PTE Academic overall score of 81 aligns with an IELTS overall band of 8.0. Pearson's July 2025 concordance maps PTE 79–85 to IELTS 8.0.
Is PTE 81 a good score?+
PTE Academic overall 81 aligns with IELTS 8.0 in Pearson's July 2025 concordance, which describes a very good user. Check the required overall and individual skill scores with your institution or visa authority.
How many more points do I need for IELTS 8.5?+
5 points. Pearson's July 2025 overall range for IELTS 8.5 starts at PTE 86. This is a comparison between score scales, not a prediction of your IELTS result or how long improvement will take.
How does the IELTS Partners' comparison describe IELTS 8.0?+
The IELTS Partners publish PTE Academic 82.3 overall alongside IELTS 8.0. Pearson's July 2025 study lists the overall range 79–85. These are separate research comparisons, not admission thresholds or an exact prediction of your IELTS result. Compare individual skills and check your institution's requirements.
What score does your university ask for?
Nearby scores
Source: Pearson, “Establishing score concordance between the enhanced PTE Academic and IELTS Academic” (July 2025). BandLadder is an independent practice platform, not an official Pearson tool. A concordance shows close equivalents, not exact one-to-one scores; check the requirement published by your institution or visa authority.
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