Compare PTE Core and IELTS General for Canada PR: CLB 7 and CLB 9 scores, microphone versus examiner speaking, test format and which option may fit you.
Compare PTE Core with IELTS General Training for Canadian immigration
IRCC currently specifies PTE Core and IELTS General Training as accepted English-test versions. PTE Academic and IELTS Academic serve different purposes and are not substitutes simply because the names are similar.
PTE Core uses a microphone; IELTS Speaking uses a live examiner
PTE Core completes all four skills by computer at a Pearson test centre and records speaking through a microphone. IELTS General Training Speaking is a real-time interview with a certified examiner. Test this experience difference before relying on claims about difficulty.
PTE Core vs IELTS scores for CLB 7
IELTS General CLB 7 requires 6.0 in Speaking, Listening, Reading and Writing. The PTE Core CLB 7 ranges are Speaking 68–75, Listening 60–70, Reading 60–68 and Writing 69–78. These are separate IRCC ranges, not a direct overall-score conversion.
PTE Core vs IELTS scores for CLB 9
For CLB 9, IRCC lists PTE Core Speaking 84–88, Listening 82–88, Reading 78–87 and Writing 88–89. IELTS General requires Speaking 7.0, Listening 8.0, Reading 7.0 and Writing 7.0.
IELTS delivery is changing while its speaking format remains
IELTS has announced a transition to computer-delivered testing from mid-2026, with Writing on Paper in selected markets. Confirm the local arrangement through IELTS; Speaking remains with an examiner.
Choose from official samples and four-skill CLB targets
Raw scores from the two tests are not directly comparable. Try each official sample format, then use the official IRCC table to map listening, speaking, reading and writing separately to CLB.