PTE 86 to IELTS
PTE 86 equals IELTS 8.5 by Pearson's table (July 2025), but IELTS 8.0 by the IELTS Partners' table (2021).
10Overall score90
PTE 86 is about
IELTSBands 4.0–9.0
8.5
Pearson, Jul 2025
IELTS Partners' table: 8.0IELTS Partners, 2021
PTE 86 is about IELTS 8.5.
Get a study plan for 8.5Universities that accept PTE 86
This score meets each university's own minimum for this test, as stated on its website and checked in the last six months. Courses can ask for more.
| University | Country | IELTS, undergrad | IELTS, postgrad | PTE |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Northeastern University | United States | 7.5 | – | 79 |
| London Business School | United Kingdom | – | 7.0 | 76 |
| University of Graz | Austria | – | 7.0 | 76 |
| Brown University | United States | 8.0 | – | 75 |
| Erasmus University Rotterdam | Netherlands | 7.0 | 6.5 | 75 |
| INSEAD | Singapore | – | 7.5 | 72 |
| University of Nottingham Ningbo China | China | – | 6.5 | 71 |
| London School of Economics and Political Science | United Kingdom | 7.0 | 7.0 | 70 |
Frequently asked questions
What is PTE 86 in IELTS?
PTE 86 equals IELTS 8.5 by Pearson's table (July 2025), but IELTS 8.0 by the IELTS Partners' table (2021).
What CEFR level is PTE 86?
PTE 86 matches IELTS 8.5, which is CEFR C2, Proficient. You understand almost everything you hear or read and express yourself precisely.
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 PTE 86?
For example Northeastern University, London Business School, and University of Graz. Requirements differ by course and level, so check the university's own page.
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