PTE Concordance Report

The PTE published an updated Concordance report in 2020. It has led to some concern among students regarding how the PTE concordance report will impact their PTE scores. To clarify any doubts about the PTE Concordance report, scroll below:

Some frequently asked questions about the PTE concordance report are:

• What is the PTE Concordance Report?
• How to calculate score concordance between PTE and IELTS?
• How does the PTE Concordance report affect my application?

To find out more about the latest PTE concordance report and important updates, keep reading.

What is the PTE Concordance Report?

The PTE Concordance report is aimed at streamlining academic scores and standards across the two major English Language exams around the world: the Pearson Test of English, i.e. (PTE) and the International English Language Testing System, i.e. (IELTS).

The PTE organising body regularly revises and updates its evaluation methodology to consistently provide test-takers with the most accurate score on their exam. To do so, it conducts studies of students who have attempted both exams relatively recently – by comparing and contrasting the scores received by a single student on both tests. In this way, they can pinpoint any inconsistency and ensure that score equivalency is properly translated.

What is the purpose of the Concordance report?

There are several testing options for students to prove their English proficiency, such as the IELTS or the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Many universities accept several types of test scores for admissions. Thus, it is important that all student scores across various types of tests align with consistency to ensure a smooth admissions process. The aim of the Concordance report is to fulfil these conditions and publish the results so that universities may update their score requirements accordingly.

It also means that students who have attempted only one of these tests can compare their scores according to the concordance report table.

Who is the PTE Concordance report for?

This report is aimed at universities, admissions committees as well as other professional bodies that use PTE scores to evaluate candidates. Often universities have a language requirement for admissions into particular courses and programs. They accept proof of English proficiency through various certification exams like PET, IELTS, TOEFL etc. Through the concordance report, universities are able to find the equivalent of scores from each test. These scores are calibrated according to the industry standard for English language proficiency – the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).

The PET concordance report is thus used by universities to adjust their language requirements for admissions.

What has changed in the 2020 PTE Concordance Report?

The original concordance report was published in 2011 by the PTE organising body. Following this, they proceeded to collect data from thousands of students over the following years in order to update the report as required. The report also takes into account the variables for the students like sex, age, native language and country of origin. Thus they are able to get a generally representative sample of test-takers. Through this updating and researching process, the PET exam remains the most reliable and accurate English language proficiency test available.

Does the 2020 Concordance Report change my PTE score?

The updated concordance PET scores have been minimally adjusted so as to reflect accuracy corresponding with the IELTS. This does not mean that your personal score has changed, only the IELTS Band to which your score corresponds. The change will only affect certain university admissions requirements, and you may check the updated requirements on the admissions portal.

Earlier students required a PTE score of 30 to be considered in the 4.5 IELTS band. Now they only require a 23. Similarly, each IELTS Band and its corresponding PTE score have been adjusted to reflect the English language skills of the test-taker accurately. Refer to the table below and check which band your score corresponds to here.

Table Key

Thus, the PTE Concordance Report has been updated after in-depth research to reflect a more accurate and reliable score for students and institutes, cementing its position as the leading English Language Test around the world.