IELTS Score Conversion 2026: IELTS to PTE to TOEFL to CELPIP to CLB Table

Understanding IELTS score conversion to PTE, TOEFL, CELPIP, and CLB is essential for Indian students and professionals applying to multiple countries or considering alternative English tests. Each country and immigration programme uses a different scoring system, and knowing the exact equivalences can save you from taking unnecessary tests or targeting the wrong score. In this comprehensive guide, EEC — with 27+ years of experience coaching students for all major English proficiency tests — provides verified conversion tables, section-wise breakdowns, and country-specific recommendations to help you navigate the score landscape with confidence.

Why Score Conversion Matters

Score conversion matters because the English proficiency landscape is no longer a single-test world. While IELTS remains the most widely accepted test (11,000+ organizations in 140+ countries), PTE Academic has gained massive ground in Australia and Canada, TOEFL iBT dominates US university admissions, and CELPIP is the preferred Canadian immigration test. Many Indian students apply to multiple countries simultaneously — for example, Canada AND Australia — and need to know whether their IELTS 7.0 is equivalent to the PTE 65 required by Australian universities or the CLB 9 needed for maximum Canada CRS points.

Score conversion also matters for test switching. If you have taken IELTS multiple times and cannot break through a particular band, switching to PTE (which is computer-scored and offers faster results) or CELPIP (which maps directly to CLB for Canada) might be more strategic. Conversely, if you scored well on PTE but need IELTS for UK visa requirements, knowing the conversion helps you set realistic targets. EEC is one of the few coaching centres in Gujarat that prepares students for ALL major English tests, so our counselors can analyse your profile and recommend the optimal test choice. For a side-by-side comparison, see our IELTS vs PTE guide and IELTS vs TOEFL guide.

Master Score Conversion Table — IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, CELPIP, CLB

The table below provides approximate overall score equivalences across five major English proficiency frameworks. These conversions are based on official concordance data from ETS (TOEFL), Pearson (PTE), IRCC (CLB), and cross-referenced with published university and immigration authority guidelines. Note that conversions are approximate — different organisations may use slightly different thresholds, so always verify with the specific institution or programme you are applying to.

IELTS to PTE Conversion (Detailed)

The IELTS-to-PTE conversion is particularly important for Indian students targeting Australia, where both tests are equally accepted for visa applications and university admissions. Australia's Department of Home Affairs publishes official equivalences: IELTS 7.0 each = PTE 65 each (Proficient English, 10 PR points) and IELTS 8.0 each = PTE 79 each (Superior English, 20 PR points). For university admissions, most Australian universities accept PTE 58–65 as equivalent to IELTS 6.5–7.0.

Many Indian students find PTE easier to score high in for two reasons: (1) PTE is entirely computer-scored, eliminating human examiner variability in Writing and Speaking assessment. (2) PTE Speaking tasks are recorded into a microphone rather than delivered face-to-face, which reduces anxiety for many test takers. However, PTE Reading has unique integrated question types (re-order paragraphs, fill-in-the-blanks with drag-and-drop) that require specific preparation. If you have been scoring IELTS 6.0–6.5 and cannot break through to 7.0 despite multiple attempts, switching to PTE with targeted preparation may be an effective strategy. See our detailed IELTS vs PTE comparison for format differences.

IELTS to TOEFL Conversion (Detailed)

The IELTS-to-TOEFL conversion is critical for students targeting the United States, where TOEFL iBT remains the dominant English test for university admissions. ETS (the makers of TOEFL) publishes official concordance data: IELTS 7.0 = TOEFL 94–101, IELTS 6.5 = TOEFL 79–93, and IELTS 6.0 = TOEFL 60–78. Most US universities require TOEFL 80–100 for graduate admission, which corresponds to IELTS 6.5–7.0. Top-tier universities (MIT, Stanford, Ivy League) typically require TOEFL 100+ (IELTS 7.0–7.5).

TOEFL and IELTS differ significantly in format. TOEFL is entirely computer-based with integrated tasks (e.g., read a passage, listen to a lecture, then write about both), while IELTS keeps skills more separated. TOEFL Speaking involves recording responses to prompts (similar to PTE), whereas IELTS uses a live examiner. Indian students who are strong in academic reading and listening often find TOEFL more natural because its content is heavily academic. However, TOEFL's integrated writing task is challenging for students unfamiliar with the format. EEC offers comprehensive TOEFL coaching alongside IELTS, allowing students to prepare for both tests and choose the one where they perform best. See our IELTS vs TOEFL comparison for a detailed breakdown.

IELTS GT to CLB Conversion

For Canada immigration (Express Entry, PNPs, citizenship), English proficiency is measured using Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB). IELTS General Training scores convert to CLB levels on a section-by-section basis — not based on the overall band. This is crucial because the CLB conversion is non-linear: the same 0.5 IELTS improvement can mean different CLB jumps depending on the section and score range. IRCC publishes the official conversion table, which EEC counselors use for precise CRS point calculation.

Notice the asymmetry: CLB 7 requires IELTS 6.0 in all four sections, but CLB 9 requires L:8.0/R:7.0/W:7.0/S:7.0 — Listening jumps by 2.0 bands while the other sections jump by only 1.0. This means Listening is the hardest section to convert to high CLB levels. Conversely, Reading CLB 9 only requires IELTS 7.0, which is the same as Writing and Speaking. For CRS maximisation, your strategy should focus heavily on Listening improvement, as it is the bottleneck section for CLB 9+. EEC's Canada-specialist trainers design preparation plans around these CLB conversion thresholds. See our IELTS for Canada PR guide for full CRS analysis.

CELPIP to CLB Conversion

CELPIP offers the simplest conversion in the entire English testing landscape: CELPIP Level = CLB Level on a direct 1:1 basis. CELPIP 7 = CLB 7, CELPIP 9 = CLB 9, CELPIP 10 = CLB 10. There is no conversion table, no rounding, and no ambiguity. This is because CELPIP was specifically designed by Paragon Testing (a University of British Columbia subsidiary) to align with the Canadian Language Benchmarks framework.

The 1:1 CLB mapping eliminates one of the most confusing aspects of using IELTS for Canada immigration: the non-linear, section-specific conversion. With IELTS, you might score 7.0 overall but only get CLB 7 in two sections and CLB 8 in two others because the conversion depends on each section's individual score. With CELPIP, what you see is what you get. This transparency is one reason CELPIP has become increasingly popular among Indian Canada PR applicants. However, CELPIP is accepted ONLY for Canadian immigration and citizenship — not for university admissions or for any country other than Canada. If you are applying to multiple countries, IELTS remains the more versatile choice. See our CELPIP vs IELTS comparison.

Which Score for Which Country

Choosing the right test depends on your destination country, application type (study vs immigration), and individual strengths. Here is a country-by-country breakdown of which tests and scores are accepted:

For Indian students applying to multiple countries simultaneously (a common EEC strategy), IELTS Academic is typically the most versatile single test. An IELTS Academic 7.0 with no section below 6.5 is accepted for study visas in virtually all English-speaking countries and meets the minimum immigration thresholds for Australia, New Zealand, and (with GT version) Canada. If you are focused exclusively on Canada PR, CELPIP's direct CLB mapping and faster results (3–4 days) make it the more strategic choice. If you are focused on the USA, TOEFL is still the most widely recognised, though IELTS acceptance is growing rapidly. EEC counselors analyse your multi-country strategy and recommend the optimal test to maximise your chances across all applications. Get your free multi-country test strategy.

EEC Coaches All Major English Tests

Unlike coaching centres that specialise in only one test, EEC offers expert preparation for all major English proficiency tests: IELTS Academic & GT, PTE Academic & Core, TOEFL iBT, CELPIP-General, and Duolingo English Test. This means EEC can serve as your single preparation partner regardless of which test (or combination of tests) your study abroad or immigration journey requires. At \u20b97,500 per course, EEC provides the most affordable multi-test coaching in India.

The EEC advantage is not just test preparation — it is integrated journey planning. When you enrol at EEC, your test preparation is aligned with your country targets, university shortlist, visa requirements, and application timelines. If your counselor recommends switching from IELTS to PTE midway through preparation (because your practice scores suggest PTE will yield a higher result), you can make that switch seamlessly within the same coaching framework. Every EEC branch also provides FREE study abroad counseling for 40+ countries, education loan guidance, visa documentation support, and pre-departure briefings. From your first diagnostic test to your airport farewell, EEC handles every step. Call +91 8758883889 or book a free consultation.

“Score conversion is not just about numbers \u2014 it is about finding the test where YOUR strengths align with the scoring system. At EEC, we diagnose your profile across tests and recommend the path that gets you to your target score fastest.”

— Test Prep Team, EEC

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