The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) uses a nine-band scale to score test takers’ performance in each section of the test (listening, reading, writing, and speaking). The scores range from 0 (non-user) to 9 (expert user).
The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is a standardized system for evaluating and describing language proficiency levels in different languages. It is widely used in Europe and around the world as a benchmark for language education and assessment.
The following table provides a rough conversion of IELTS bands to CEFR levels:
IELTS Band | CEFR Level |
---|---|
9 | C2 |
8 | C1 |
7 | B2 |
6 | B1 |
5 | A2 |
4 | A1 |
3 | A1/A2 |
2 | A1/A2 |
1 | A1/A2 |
0 | A1/A2 |
It’s important to note that this conversion is rough and may vary slightly depending on the context in which the scores are being used. For example, some institutions or programs may have their own conversion tables or may use different criteria for evaluating language proficiency.