IELTS 5.5 to PTE
IELTS 5.5 equals PTE Academic 39–46 by Pearson's table (July 2025). The IELTS Partners' own table (2021) links it to PTE 45.4.
IELTS 5.5 is about
PTE Academic10–90
39–46
Pearson, Jul 2025
IELTS Partners' table: 45.4IELTS Partners, 2021
IELTS 5.5 is about PTE 39–46.
Get a study plan for 5.5IELTS 5.5 by section
IELTS recommends comparing the two tests one skill at a time.
| Listening | Reading | Writing | Speaking | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pearson, Jul 2025 | 40–46 | 42–47 | 41–50 | 39–53 |
| IELTS Partners, 2021 | 42.7 | 47.9 | 51 | 42.2 |
Universities that accept IELTS 5.5
This band meets each university's overall IELTS minimum, as stated on its own website and checked in the last six months. Courses can ask for more, and most also set a minimum for each skill.
| University | Country | IELTS, undergrad | IELTS, postgrad | PTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Guildhall School of Music & Drama | United Kingdom | 5.5 | 5.5 | – |
| Ravensbourne University London | United Kingdom | 5.5 | 6.0 | 51 |
| Arkansas State University | United States | 5.5 | 6.0 | 43 |
| Auburn University at Montgomery | United States | 5.5 | – | 44 |
| Canadore College | Canada | 5.5 | 6.0 | – |
| Atlantic Technological University | Ireland | 5.5 | 6.0 | – |
| Griffith College | Ireland | 5.5 | 6.5 | – |
| Leipzig University | Germany | – | 5.5 | – |
Frequently asked questions
What is IELTS 5.5 in PTE?
IELTS 5.5 equals PTE Academic 39–46 by Pearson's table (July 2025). The IELTS Partners' own table (2021) links it to PTE 45.4.
What CEFR level is IELTS 5.5?
IELTS 5.5 is CEFR B2, Upper intermediate. You follow the main ideas of complex texts and talk with native speakers without strain on either side.
Why are there two PTE answers?
Pearson (July 2025) and the IELTS Partners (2021) built their tables from different studies, on different versions of PTE. Pearson's is newer and covers the current test. If a university names a PTE minimum, use that number.
Which universities accept IELTS 5.5?
For example Guildhall School of Music & Drama, Ravensbourne University London, and Arkansas State University. Requirements differ by course and level, so check the university's own page.
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