Is PTE 39 a good score?
IELTS 5.5 describes a modest user. Pathway and pre-sessional English programmes usually start here; direct degree entry is rare. Because 39 is at the bottom of the 5.5 range, a bad day drops you to IELTS 5.0; treat 43 as the safe target.
Skill scores that match IELTS 5.5
Universities and visa bodies often set a minimum per skill, not just overall. These are the PTE communicative-skill ranges that concord to IELTS 5.5 in each module.
| Skill | PTE range for IELTS 5.5 |
|---|---|
| Listening | 40–46 |
| Reading | 42–47 |
| Speaking | 39–53 |
| Writing | 41–50 |
What PTE 39 / IELTS 5.5 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 39 to 47
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 39 in IELTS?+
A PTE Academic overall score of 39 is equivalent to an IELTS overall band of 5.5. Pearson's July 2025 concordance maps PTE 39–46 to IELTS 5.5.
Is PTE 39 a good score?+
PTE 39 equals IELTS 5.5 (CEFR B2), which describes a modest user. Pathway and pre-sessional English programmes usually start here; direct degree entry is rare.
How many more points do I need for IELTS 6.0?+
8 points. IELTS 6.0 starts at PTE 47, so from 39 you need to reach 47. 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.
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