IELTS to CEFR Conversion: Band Descriptors, and Score Comparisons
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Content Curator | Updated On - Mar 27, 2024
CEFR IELTS level is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages developed by the Council of Europe in 1990 and published in 1991. CEFR IELTS is the exam that evaluates your level of proficiency in the Foreign Language. The CEFR scores are used worldwide and not only restricted to the European Countries, as the name suggests. Many government universities set B2 as the minimum score for secondary education or graduate universities.
The CEFR is a six-point scale ranging from A1 to C1 - A1 indicating that you have basic fluency in the language and C1, which is similar to the IELTS band score of 9, indicating that you are a native fluent speaker. These indicators were developed to avoid using the terms ‘beginner’, and ‘intermediate’. Or ‘advanced’. CEFR levels and IELTS comparisons have been done to show that CEFR is not the standardized tool for precise equating, nor was it intended to provide standardized solutions.
IELTS in CEFR scale is equivalent to the CEFR score range. For instance, if you have scored a 6.5 IELTS score, then the CEFR scale would be B2, which means you can compose texts on various topics and understand major topics. So, if you score higher than 6.5 in your IELTS, then the CEFR would be somewhere between C1 and C2. 7 IELTS band score equivalent to CEFR C2. CEFR level IELTS provides a descriptor as to what the candidates are expected to be able to do to reach any level in the foreign language. CEFR levels are accepted in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Ireland, and the USA.
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Importance of CEFR to IELTS Conversion
IELTS to CEFR is important as it breaks down language proficiency and language learning into six levels. These levels start from A1 to C2. While IELTS CEFR A1 means the basic day-to-day language level, C1 is the highest and expert level of language. Calculation of IELTS in CEFR acts like a scale and tells an individual on the point where he/she stands in language learning. It tells whether the individual is a beginner or has acquired a high level of expertise. CEFR was developed by Cambridge for the Council of Europe. It not only measures English proficiency but also measures 35 or more languages. Individuals who aspire to move to Europe for different purposes will have to use IELTS and European Framework to check their required language eligibility.
IELTS CEFR Level Calculator
CEFR and IELTS score conversion is done by a particular scale provided by European council. CEFR levels are A1,A1,B1,B2,C1 and C2. These levels have a particular character of intermediate, beginner and professional. This scale can be used to measure IELTS band scores with the CEFR level and help the individual to develop language as per the level required. The following table of conversion can be used by IELTS accepting universities, institutions or students to check the language proficiency.
| IELTS Band | CEFR Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 9.0 | C2 | Expert |
| 8.5 | ||
| 8.0 | C1 | Very Good |
| 7.5 | Good | |
| 7.0 | ||
| 6.5 | B2 | Competent |
| 6.0 | ||
| 5.5 | Modest | |
| 5.0 | B1 | |
| 4.5 | Limited | |
| 0 to 4.0 | A2 to A1 | Extremely Limited/Intermittent/Non Use |
The above chart shows the different levels of CEFR and IELTS bands along with the description. The following points details out the level of proficiency and language learning as per above mentioned:
- IELTS CEFR Level C2 is for high professionals and experts in language. They have mastered the language with an IELTS score of 9.0 to 8.5 bands. It falls in the professional user category.
- CEFR Level C1 IELTS dictates the individual who is good at the language. C1 level English IELTS scores range from 7.5 bands to 7 bands. While IELTS C1 level score also includes 8.0 band which is considered very good. C1 CEFR IELTS level requires candidates to score high on IELTS reading, writing, listening and speaking skills.
- CEFR Level B2 IELTS holds the competency as weak as a modest level of language. IELTS B2 level scores range from 6.5 to 6 as being competent and 5.5 as modest. IELTS B2 Level falls under the intermediate category.
- The level of A2 and A1 falls under the basic category and holds the IELTS band score from 4.0 to 0.
Overlapping of IELTS Band score and CEFR
There is clear overlapping seen in the above presented table of the IELTS band score equivalent to CEFR. The B2 level English IELTS score of 5.5 is considered modest but comes in the B2 level. While 6.5 IELTS CEFR level holds the competent description as well as IELTS 6.0 CEFR. You must have a better idea of IELTS score calculation to understand the language requirements.
Similarly with the CEFR C1 Level IELTS score of 8 is considered very good, and the other scores are considered good. This overlapping of scores creates an understanding bias between the individual and the university. It depends upon the university and the institution to consider the score as per level and the descriptions. While a university can consider 8.0 as the expert level similar to 9.0 and 8.5 band scores.
CEFR and IELTS Equivalency
IELTS equivalent CEFR can be checked using the European Framework. There are several factors that impact the description level and CEFR level of language. These factors are given below based on the CEFR Level scale:
C2 CEFR level
This level is the expertise level and requires:
- High IELTS listening skills without getting distracted.
- High pronunciation command and use of good vocabulary
- Professional terms used while IELTS writing creatively
C1 CEFR Level IELTS
This level is also for the professional users and requires:
- Good fluency or oral as well as written language
- Use of good vocabulary
- Free of grammatical errors
- Understanding the point of view of speech or text
CEFR B2 IELTS Score
This falls under intermediate category and includes:
- Understanding the situation.
- Communicating easily and spontaneously
- Clear, precise and to-the point communication
B1 CEFR Level
This level is for the independent users and includes:
- Able to communicate on topics of candidate's interest
- Taking pause to think and then IELTS speaking
A2 and A1 CEFR Level
These level falls under beginner category and includes:
- Use of normal and simple vocabulary
- Language used in day-to-day life.
Conversion of IELTS Band to CEFR makes it easy to have an objective interpretation of language learning and Proficiency. There are six levels of comparison on which IELTS Band scores are measured. The CEFR can be used by people who want to study abroad, for teachers, universities and people who aspire to travel abroad. IELTS Band comparison also provides the required eligibility language proficiency for a particular institute or job.
FAQs
Ques. What is the CEFR test in India?
Ans. CEFR test is the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, which is a framework used to assess your abilities and skills in a foreign language.
Ques. Where is CEFR used?
Ans. The CEFR is accepted in countries like the UK, the USA, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and Ireland.
Ques. What are the benefits of the CEFR test?
Ans. CEFR tests more than 35 languages. So, if you are aspiring to move to another country, you need the European framework for the required language ability as well as the IELTS score.
Ques. What is the full form of CEFR?
Ans. The full form of CEFR is Common European Framework of Reference for Languages.
Ques. What is a good level of CEFR?
Ans. B2 is the most demanded CEFR score for most universities. However, C2 or C1 which is equivalent to the IELTS band score of 9 or 8 is also considered to be good.
Ques. Is IELTS equivalent to CEFR?
Ans. The IELTS band score is equivalent to the CEFR score. An IELTS band score of 7 is equivalent to a C1 and an IELTS score of 4.5 is equivalent to B1.
Ques. What is the highest level of CEFR?
Ans. The highest level of CEFR is C2 which means that your EF SET score is between 71-100, and you are proficient and a native speaker of the language or in other terms can be called a bilingual.
Ques. Is CEFR accepted in Canada?
Ans. The CEFR is accepted worldwide, including in many European countries and Canada.
Ques. Is C1 in the CEFR framework good?
Ans. A C1 CEFR scale means that you are in full autonomy of the foreign language and are ready to start your studies in that specific language-spoken country.
Ques. Which CEFR level is considered to be a beginner?
Ans. A1 CEFR is considered to be a beginner, which means that you are still in the process of learning and being well-versed with the language.
Ques. What is IELTS 7 in CEFR?
Ans. An IELTS band score of 7 means a C1 in the CEFR which indicates that your ET-SET score is between 61-70, and you are capable of functioning independently and can work on a variety of topics without any prior preparation.
Ques. What is the difference between IELTS and CEFR?
Ans. IELTS is not a level-based proficiency test and focuses only on one language, while CEFR is a level-based test that emphasizes more than 35 languages.
Ques. How do I check my CEFR scores?
Ans. You need to take a fully designed standardized test to find your CEFR level score and scales. EF SET for English is free, so most people choose that option.
Ques. What is the lowest English level?
Ans. The lowest English level in the CEFR is A1, meaning that you are a beginner in the specific language domain.
Ques. How can I increase my CEFR levels?
Ans. To increase your CEFR levels, you need to start reading articles, books, and magazines to enhance your pronunciation and vocabulary. You might also consider enrolling yourself in language classes or listening to daily podcasts.
*The article might have information for the previous academic years, please refer the official website of the exam.