PTE 90 to IELTS: band 9.0
A PTE Academic overall score of 90 is equivalent to an IELTS overall band of 9.0 (CEFR C2). Pearson's July 2025 concordance maps PTE 90 to IELTS 9.0, and 90 sits at the top of that range.
Is PTE 90 a good score?
IELTS 9.0 describes an expert user. Very few programmes ask for it; it is mainly relevant for competitive scholarships and some medical registrations.
Skill scores that match IELTS 9.0
Universities and visa bodies often set a minimum per skill, not just overall. These are the PTE communicative-skill ranges that concord to IELTS 9.0 in each module.
| Skill | PTE range for IELTS 9.0 |
|---|---|
| Listening | 81–90 |
| Reading | 81–90 |
| Speaking | not concorded at this band |
| Writing | not concorded at this band |
What PTE 90 / IELTS 9.0 means for visas
Immigration bodies set their thresholds per skill, so an overall score only tells you whether you are in range. Use it to pick a target, then check each skill against the official table linked in the row.
| Country / level | IELTS (each skill) | PTE Academic (each skill) | Your overall |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia: Vocational English | 5.0 | 33 / 36 / 29 / 24 (L/R/W/S) | in range |
| Australia: Competent English | 6.0 | 47 / 48 / 51 / 54 (L/R/W/S) | in range |
| Australia: Proficient English (10 points) | 7.0 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 (L/R/W/S) | in range |
| Australia: Superior English (20 points) | 8.0 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 (L/R/W/S) | in range |
Australian levels are set by the Department of Home Affairs and changed on 7 August 2025 to per-skill PTE minimums. “In range” compares your overall band to the per-skill requirement; verify each skill on the official page before relying on it.
Keep your score sharp
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What is PTE 90 in IELTS?
A PTE Academic overall score of 90 is equivalent to an IELTS overall band of 9.0. Pearson's July 2025 concordance maps PTE 90 to IELTS 9.0.
Is PTE 90 a good score?
PTE 90 equals IELTS 9.0 (CEFR C2), which describes an expert user. Very few programmes ask for it; it is mainly relevant for competitive scholarships and some medical registrations.
Nearby scores
PTE 88 to IELTSPTE 89 to IELTSIELTS 9.0 to PTEFull concordance table
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.