Is PTE 36 a good score?
IELTS 5.0 describes a modest user. It is typically enough for English-language courses and some vocational programmes, not for degree entry. You are 3 points from IELTS 5.5, which is usually one weak skill away.
Skill scores that match IELTS 5.0
Universities and visa bodies often set a minimum per skill, not just overall. These are the PTE communicative-skill ranges that concord to IELTS 5.0 in each module.
| Skill | PTE range for IELTS 5.0 |
|---|---|
| Listening | 33–39 |
| Reading | 36–41 |
| Speaking | 24–38 |
| Writing | 29–40 |
What PTE 36 / IELTS 5.0 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) | below |
| Australia: Proficient English (10 points) | 7.0 | 58 / 59 / 69 / 76 (L/R/W/S) | below |
| Australia: Superior English (20 points) | 8.0 | 69 / 70 / 85 / 88 (L/R/W/S) | below |
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.
Get from PTE 36 to 39
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.
Start a free scored PTE mock →Frequently asked questions
What is PTE 36 in IELTS?+
A PTE Academic overall score of 36 is equivalent to an IELTS overall band of 5.0. Pearson's July 2025 concordance maps PTE 31–38 to IELTS 5.0.
Is PTE 36 a good score?+
PTE 36 equals IELTS 5.0 (CEFR B1), which describes a modest user. It is typically enough for English-language courses and some vocational programmes, not for degree entry.
How many more points do I need for IELTS 5.5?+
3 points. IELTS 5.5 starts at PTE 39, so from 36 you need to reach 39. Most learners close a gap this size with two to four weeks of scored practice on their weakest skill.
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.
© 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