Key Takeaway
- A PTE Core Score Report contains an overall score and four communicative-skill scores. Every score uses a 10–90 scale.
- Use the chart to convert Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing separately. Do not convert only the overall score.
- For CLB 7, the score ranges begin at Listening 60, Reading 60, Speaking 68 and Writing 69.
- For CLB 9, the score ranges begin at Listening 82, Reading 78, Speaking 84 and Writing 88.
- For CLB 10, the score ranges begin at Listening 89, Reading 88, Speaking 89 and Writing 90.
- Confirm the CLB level required for your application on the current IRCC page before setting your PTE Core targets.
You open your PTE Core Score Report and see five numbers. One is your overall score. The other four are for Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. So which number is your CLB level?
The answer is that you do not turn the whole report into one CLB number. You match each communicative-skill score to its own CLB range. That step keeps the conversion clear.
This guide gives you the complete PTE Core score chart for CLB 3 to 10. It also shows how to read the table, how to handle different CLB levels across the four skills and how to set targets for CLB 7, 9 or 10.
If you are still choosing a test, first read our comparison of PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI and PTE Core. The chart on this page is only for PTE Core.
What Does the PTE Core Score Chart Show?
Pearson reports PTE Core results as one overall score and four communicative-skill scores: Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing. The overall score and every skill score use a scale from 10 to 90.
The overall score is based on performance across the complete test. Pearson states that it is not the average of the four communicative-skill scores. That is why adding the four skill scores and dividing by four will not reproduce the overall score.
The CLB conversion table is arranged by skill. Read across the row for each skill score rather than trying to convert the overall score.
CLB stands for Canadian Language Benchmarks. Pearson describes it as the standard used to describe, measure and recognize the language ability of adult immigrants and prospective immigrants who plan to live and work in Canada.
What Is the PTE Core to CLB Score Chart?
The current Pearson PTE Core chart maps scores to CLB levels 3 through 10. Use the Listening column for your Listening score, the Reading column for Reading, the Speaking column for Speaking and the Writing column for Writing.
| CLB level | Listening | Reading | Speaking | Writing |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 10 | 89–90 | 88–90 | 89–90 | 90 |
| CLB 9 | 82–88 | 78–87 | 84–88 | 88–89 |
| CLB 8 | 71–81 | 69–77 | 76–83 | 79–87 |
| CLB 7 | 60–70 | 60–68 | 68–75 | 69–78 |
| CLB 6 | 50–59 | 51–59 | 59–67 | 60–68 |
| CLB 5 | 39–49 | 42–50 | 51–58 | 51–59 |
| CLB 4 | 28–38 | 33–41 | 42–50 | 41–50 |
| CLB 3 | 18–27 | 24–32 | 34–41 | 32–40 |
Treat the ranges as exact bands. For example, a Listening score of 70 is CLB 7, while a Listening score of 71 is CLB 8. A Writing score of 87 is CLB 8, while a Writing score of 88 is CLB 9.
The table converts test scores. It does not tell you which CLB level your application needs. Check the current IRCC requirements before taking the test.
How Do You Convert PTE Core Scores to CLB?
Use the same three steps for every Score Report.
1. Copy the four skill scores. Write down Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing in that order. Keep the overall score separate.
2. Find each score in the matching column. Do not move a Reading score into the Listening column or use one column for every skill.
3. Record four CLB results. Your skills can map to different CLB levels. Keep all four results instead of calculating an average CLB.
Here are three worked examples.
Example 1: all four skills reach CLB 7
- Listening 65 → CLB 7
- Reading 64 → CLB 7
- Speaking 72 → CLB 7
- Writing 74 → CLB 7
Example 2: the skills do not all match
- Listening 83 → CLB 9
- Reading 72 → CLB 8
- Speaking 85 → CLB 9
- Writing 87 → CLB 8
This report has two CLB 9 skills and two CLB 8 skills. Calling it simply “CLB 9” would hide the lower Reading and Writing results.
Example 3: all four skills reach CLB 10
- Listening 89 → CLB 10
- Reading 88 → CLB 10
- Speaking 89 → CLB 10
- Writing 90 → CLB 10
What PTE Core Scores Start CLB 7, 9 and 10?
If you already know your target CLB level, this smaller table gives you the first score in each official range.
| Target | Listening starts at | Reading starts at | Speaking starts at | Writing starts at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CLB 7 | 60 | 60 | 68 | 69 |
| CLB 9 | 82 | 78 | 84 | 88 |
| CLB 10 | 89 | 88 | 89 | 90 |
These are conversion boundaries, not universal immigration requirements. The required CLB level depends on the application route. Use the current IRCC instructions for your route before treating any row as your target.
One easy mistake is to use the same number for all four skills. The CLB 9 starting points show why that fails: Reading starts at 78, while Writing starts at 88.
How Do You Use the Chart to Plan Your Next Step?
Start with the rule that matters for your application, not with a score you saw in someone else’s plan.
- Open the current IRCC page for your application route and note the required CLB level for each ability.
- Use the chart to turn those CLB levels into four PTE Core score targets.
- Compare your official result or practice feedback with each target separately.
- Put more study time into the skills below target while continuing to practise the full PTE Core exam format.
- Recheck the current Pearson and IRCC pages before you book or submit an application.
Also avoid these common errors:
- Do not use the overall score as a replacement for the four skill scores.
- Do not average four CLB levels into a new level.
- Do not switch the Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing columns.
- Do not treat a CLB conversion row as proof that you meet an application rule.
- Do not use a PTE Academic chart for a PTE Core result. Use the chart for the test named on the report.
Frequently Asked Questions About the PTE Core Score Chart
Is a PTE Core score of 60 equal to CLB 7?
It depends on the skill. A score of 60 is CLB 7 for Listening and Reading. It is CLB 6 for Speaking and Writing. Always use the correct skill column.
What PTE Core scores equal CLB 9?
CLB 9 covers Listening 82–88, Reading 78–87, Speaking 84–88 and Writing 88–89.
What PTE Core scores equal CLB 10?
CLB 10 covers Listening 89–90, Reading 88–90, Speaking 89–90 and Writing 90.
Does the PTE Core overall score decide my CLB level?
Use the four communicative-skill columns to convert Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing separately. Pearson reports the overall score separately and states that it is not the average of the four skill scores.
What happens when one skill has a lower CLB level?
Keep the four converted levels. Then compare each one with the exact ability requirement for your application. Do not hide the lower skill by reporting only the strongest result or an average.
Which PTE option must I take for Express Entry?
IRCC’s Express Entry language-test page states that PTE test takers must take the PTE Core option. If you have not booked yet, check the differences between PTE Academic and PTE Core before choosing.
Where can I find the four scores after my test?
Open the Score Report in your myPTE account. Our guide to checking a PTE result explains the result-access process. Use the PTE Core skill scores from that report with this chart.
Conclusion
The clearest way to use a PTE Core score chart is simple: ignore shortcuts and convert one skill at a time. Match Listening to Listening, Reading to Reading, Speaking to Speaking and Writing to Writing. Keep the four CLB results visible, especially when they are different.
If your goal is CLB 7, 9 or 10, use the starting-score table to set four separate targets. Then confirm that the target CLB level matches the current rule for your application on the official IRCC website.
The conversion takes only a minute when the columns are clear. The important part is using the right test, the right skill and the right current application requirement.
