English Level Conversion
Published on 2022-09-06; updated on 2022-10-05
Skilled immigrants must prove their English and / or French skills by taking an approved language test. Approved English tests include:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program: the CELIP-General test, not the Genereal-LS test.
- International English Language Testing System: the IELTS General Training option, not the Academic option.
For a person who wants to estimate his/her IELTS level from other popular English test scores, this article provides a mapping table.
English levelling systems
There are many different English levelling systems in use around the world.
- The International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is an international standardized test of English language proficiency for non-native English language speakers. It is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and Cambridge Assessment English, and was established in 1989.
- The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP) Test is a recognized computer-delivered English language assessment tool.
- The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is an international standard for describing language ability. It describes language ability on a six-point scale, from A1 for beginners, up to C2 for those who have mastered a language.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a standardized test to measure the English language ability of non-native speakers wishing to enroll in English-speaking universities. The test is accepted by more than 11,000 universities and other institutions in over 190 countries and territories. TOEFL iBT is the premier test of academic English communication offered at test centres worldwide.
- China's Standards of English Language Ability (CSE) is the first full-range English proficiency scale in China, and is intended to support examination reforms with a sound basis for test development and quality control. The CSE was released in the form of national language standards by the Ministry of Education and National Language Commission on February 12th, 2018 and came into effect from June 1st, 2018.
- The College English Test, better known as CET, is a national English as a foreign language test in the People's Republic of China. It examines the English proficiency of undergraduate and postgraduate students in China. It includes two levels: CET4 and CET6. Since 2005 reform, the highest score possible is 710.
Converting other English level to IELTS
Although it is hard to map one levelling system to another, the table below gives you a good approximation. If you’ve taken one of these tests, this table gives you an idea what type of score you might be able to get on another one.
| CEFR | TOEFL iBT | IELTS | CES | CET-4 | CET-6 |
| A1 Beginner | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| A2 Elementary | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| B1 Intermediate | 42 - 71 | 4.0 - 5.0 | level 4 | n/a | n/a |
| B2 Upper Intermediate | 72 - 94 | 5.5 - 6.0 | level 5 - 6 | n/a | n/a |
| C1 Advanced | 95 - 120 | 6.5 - 7.5 | level 6 - 7 | 530 | 500 |
| C2 Proficient | n/a | 8.0 - 9.0 | level 8 - 9 | n/a | n/a |
Here are some estimation examples:
- Mark scored 92 in his TOEFL iBT test. He expects to get 6.0 if he takes his IELTS test.
- Rachel scored 690 in her CET-6 test. Since the highest CET-6 score possible is 710, Rachel's estimation on her IELTS score is around 8.5.
References
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