Making a comparison of the different English language test scores is difficult. They all differ in their design, focus, purpose and format. Therefore, any comparison is going to be approximate.
| CEFR | IELTS | TOEFL | ILR | ACTFL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2 | 9.0 | 118 - 120 | 4+ | Superior | Full Professional Proficiency |
| C2 | 8.5 | 115 – 117 | 4 | Superior | Full Professional Proficiency |
| C1 | 8.0 | 110 – 114 | 3+ | Advanced High | Professional Working Proficiency |
| C1 | 7.5 | 102 – 109 | 3 | Advanced High | Professional Working Proficiency |
| B2 | 6.5 | 79 – 93 | 2+ | Advanced Med | Limited Working Proficiency |
| B2 | 6.0 | 60 – 78 | 2+ | Advanced Med | Limited Working Proficiency |
| B2 | 5.5 | 46 – 59 | 2+ | Advanced Med | Limited Working Proficiency |
| B1 | 5.0 | 35 – 45 | 2 | Advanced Med | Limited Working Proficiency |
| B1 | 4.5 | 32 – 34 | 2 | Advanced Low | Limited Working Proficiency |
| A2 | 3.5- 4.0 | 0 – 31 | 1+ | Intermediate High | Limited Working Proficiency |
| A1 | 2.0 – 3.0 | N/a | 1 | Intermediate Mid | Limited Working Proficiency |
CEFR is the international standard for describing language ability. If you don’t have a valid test certificate from IELTS or TOEFL then use this scale on your CV or application form.
If you plan to work or study and need a certificate then the IELTS test is the most widely accepted in the world. Choose this one.
In the US both the TOEFL and IELTS tests are widely accepted. Choose either if you only want to go to the US.
In the US both the ILR and the ACTFL scales are used in the US for describing language ability. Many government agencies use them, but for immigration purposes you will need to use either your TOEFL or IELTS test score when applying for a visa.
The LinkedIn method for describing language ability is based on the ILR scale. Bizarrely the world’s most popular job hunting platform uses a scale to measure language ability, a key skill for many jobs, that almost no one connected with employment and immigration in the world uses.
