PTE Core scores explained: the 10–90 scale, CLB, and what IRCC asks for
PTE Core is Pearson's English test for Canadian permanent residence and citizenship, and nothing else: Pearson says to take PTE Academic instead for a Canadian university or for Australian and New Zealand visas. You get an overall score and four skill scores on a 10 to 90 scale, and each skill score converts to a Canadian Language Benchmark through a table Pearson publishes.
Read on pearsonpte.com's PTE Core and scoring pages and on IRCC's Express Entry language page on 15 October 2026. One detail to know before comparing tests: Pearson's CLB table ends at CLB 10, and so does IRCC's own conversion chart, for PTE Core, CELPIP and IELTS alike. CELPIP's own scale runs to 12, but IRCC's chart does not list anything above 10 for any English test.
The test: three parts, about two hours, scored by computer
PTE Core is taken on a computer at a Pearson test centre; Pearson says it cannot be taken at home. It has 19 question types in three parts. There is no human examiner at any point: Pearson says every PTE test, PTE Core included, is scored by computer, and some question types are scored on the quality of the response and on whether it meets the word count, not only on right or wrong.
Pearson does not publish a single price: the fee depends on the country where you sit, and its price finder shows the local figure.
- Part 1: Speaking & Writing50–65 minutes7 question types
- Part 2: Reading27–37 minutes5 question types
- Part 3: Listening22–37 minutes7 question types
Pearson's CLB table
Each skill converts separately, and the bands are not the same width for every skill: CLB 7 takes 60 in listening and reading but 68 in speaking and 69 in writing. Writing has the narrowest top: CLB 10 needs a 90, the maximum score.
Our reading: the speaking and writing columns sit higher than listening and reading at every level from CLB 4 up. A candidate who sees the same overall score in a practice test should check the skill scores against this table, because IRCC sets minimums per skill, not overall.
- CLB 10L 89–90 · R 88–90 · S 89–90 · W 90
- CLB 9L 82–88 · R 78–87 · S 84–88 · W 88–89
- CLB 8L 71–81 · R 69–77 · S 76–83 · W 79–87
- CLB 7L 60–70 · R 60–68 · S 68–75 · W 69–78
- CLB 6L 50–59 · R 51–59 · S 59–67 · W 60–68
- CLB 5L 39–49 · R 42–50 · S 51–58 · W 51–59
- CLB 4L 28–38 · R 33–41 · S 42–50 · W 41–50citizenship needs listening 28 and speaking 42
- CLB 3L 18–27 · R 24–32 · S 34–41 · W 32–40
Results, sharing, and changing your booking
Pearson says most candidates get results within two business days, sometimes up to five. The score report sits in your myPTE account, and you can share it digitally with as many institutions as you like, free.
Rescheduling is free up to 14 days before the test. Cancelling 14 or more days ahead is a full refund; between 13 and 8 days, 50%; fewer than 7 days, nothing, except at Pearson's discretion. Inside 14 days, a reschedule means cancelling and rebooking, so those refund rules apply.
How long a PTE Core score lasts, and when that does not matter
Pearson's FAQ: A PTE Core score is valid for two years from the test date. After this period, the score expires and can no longer be used for visa applications. For Express Entry that matches IRCC, which says results must be less than 2 years old when you complete your profile and when you apply for permanent residence.
Citizenship is the exception. IRCC asks citizenship applicants for their test results even if they're expired, and accepts PTE Core at listening 28 and speaking 42. So a PTE Core report older than two years can still be the language proof for a citizenship file, whatever the expiry on Pearson's page. The details are in our guide to Canadian citizenship language proof.
What each Canadian programme asks for
From IRCC's Express Entry language page, read 15 October 2026. IRCC says you must take the PTE Core option for Express Entry, not PTE Academic.
- Citizenship (ages 18–54)listening 28, speaking 42CLB 4; reading and writing not assessed
- Federal Skilled WorkerCLB 7 in all four skillsL 60 · R 60 · S 68 · W 69
- Canadian Experience Class, TEER 0 or 1CLB 7 in all four skills
- Canadian Experience Class, TEER 2 or 3CLB 5 in all four skillsL 39 · R 42 · S 51 · W 51
- Federal Skilled TradesCLB 5 speaking and listening, CLB 4 reading and writing
Mistakes worth avoiding
Booking PTE Academic for Canadian PR.
Booking PTE Core.
IRCC's Express Entry page says you must take the PTE Core option, and Pearson says PTE Academic is for university admission and for Australia and New Zealand.
Reading CLB from the overall score.
Converting each skill score separately.
IRCC sets minimums per skill, and Pearson's bands differ by skill: CLB 7 is 60 in listening but 68 in speaking.
Re-sitting for citizenship because the PTE Core report is over two years old.
Checking the old scores against IRCC's citizenship minimums first.
IRCC asks citizenship applicants to include accepted test results even if they are expired.
Cancelling a week before the test and expecting half the fee back.
Deciding 8 or more days ahead, or 14 for a full refund.
Pearson's policy: 50% between 13 and 8 days, no refund under 7 days.
Questions
What PTE Core score is CLB 7?
Listening 60–70, reading 60–68, speaking 68–75 and writing 69–78, from Pearson's PTE Core CLB comparison table read 15 October 2026. Each skill is converted separately; IRCC's Federal Skilled Worker minimum is CLB 7 in all four.
What PTE Core score do I need for Canadian citizenship?
Listening 28 and speaking 42, IRCC's published minimum for PTE Core, which matches CLB 4 on Pearson's table. Applicants aged 18 to 54 on the day they apply need it; reading and writing are not assessed, and IRCC accepts results even if they are expired.
Can PTE Core give CLB 11 or 12?
Not on Pearson's published PTE Core CLB table, which tops out at CLB 10 (listening 89–90, reading 88–90, speaking 89–90, writing 90). IRCC's own conversion chart also stops at CLB 10 for every English test it lists, CELPIP and IELTS included, even though CELPIP's own scale runs to 12. Read 15 October 2026.
How long is a PTE Core score valid?
Two years from the test date, according to Pearson, which matches IRCC's rule that Express Entry results must be less than two years old. For citizenship, IRCC asks for results even if they are expired.
Is PTE Core marked by a human?
No. Pearson says all PTE tests, including PTE Core, are scored by computer, with no interaction with a human examiner during the test.
Last updated