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Comparing Scores

Are You Missing Out on Qualified Applicants?

English-language proficiency scores are a key element in your admissions process. If your TOEFL iBT®, IELTS®, Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR) and TOEFL® Essentials™ requirements are not aligned, you might be turning away well-qualified applicants or excluding them entirely because they do not apply.

To make it easier for you to compare scores and identify misalignment, we've developed these helpful, research-based tools.

Comparing TOEFL iBT® Test and IELTS Academic Module Scores

Total Score Comparison Table

Based on the research reports that link TOEFL iBT scores to IELTS scores, ETS developed this comparison table to help you make informed admissions decisions.

TOEFL Score IELTS Band
0–31 0–4
32–34 4.5
35–45 5
46–59 5.5*
60–78 6*
79–93 6.5*
94–101 7*
102–109 7.5*
110–114 8
115–117 8.5
118–120 9

Note: The asterisk indicates score comparison ranges with the highest degree of confidence, based on the analysis of 1,153 individuals who took both the TOEFL test and the IELTS academic module.

ETS does not endorse using these tables to calculate cut scores. Institutions wishing to set cut scores should study the 2 tests and work with test results to set cut scores that are appropriate to meet their specific needs.

Total Score Comparison Tool

Enter your TOEFL iBT Total Score to see the IELTS Overall Band Score.

TOEFL Score IELTS Band
0-31 0-4
32-34 4.5
35-45 5
46-59 5.5
60-78 6
79-93 6.5
94-101 7
102-109 7.5
110-114 8
115-117 8.5
118-120 9

Use the slider above or enter your own score below.

Shading indicates score comparison ranges with the highest degree of confidence

Section Score Comparison Tables

TOEFL iBT section scores contain valuable information to help differentiate applicants. They give you even more insight into your applicant's abilities and can help you see whether a test taker demonstrated the skills that are most important to your program or institution.

Below are comparison tables for each of the 4 sections of the TOEFL iBT test and how they compare to the IELTS academic module.

Note: The asterisk indicates score comparison ranges with the highest degree of confidence, based on the analysis of 1,153 individuals who took both the TOEFL test and the IELTS academic module.

ETS does not endorse using these tables to calculate cut scores. Institutions wishing to set cut scores should study the 2 tests and work with test results to set cut scores that are appropriate to meet their specific needs.

TOEFL Reading Section

TOEFL Reading IELTS Reading
0–2 0–4
3 4.5
4–7 5*
8–12 5.5*
13–18 6*
19–23 6.5*
24–26 7*
27–28 7.5*
29 8*
29 8.5*
30 9

TOEFL Listening Section

TOEFL Listening IELTS Listening
0–2 0–4
3 4.5
4–6 5
7–11 5.5*
12–19 6*
20–23 6.5*
24–26 7*
27 7.5*
28 8*
29 8.5*
30 9

TOEFL Speaking Section

TOEFL Speaking IELTS Speaking
0–11 0–4
12–13 4.5
14–15 5*
16–17 5.5*
18–19 6*
20–22 6.5*
23 7*
24–25 7.5*
26–27 8*
28–29 8.5*
30 9

TOEFL Writing Section

TOEFL Writing IELTS Writing
0–11 0–4
12–13 4.5
14–17 5*
18–20 5.5*
21–23 6*
24–26 6.5*
27–28 7*
29 7.5
30 8
30 8.5
30 9

Comparing TOEFL iBT Scores to the CEFR

The mapping of TOEFL iBT scores and CEFR levels is based on an initial standard-setting exercise with educators, and subsequent analyses of test scores to address feedback from universities and teachers of English about the levels of performance in an academic setting.

Comparison Table

Below are the TOEFL iBT scores mapped to their corresponding CEFR levels.

CEFR level Reading (0–30) Listening (0–30) Speaking (0–30) Writing (0–30) Total (0–120)
C2 29 28 28 29 114
C1 24 22 25 24 95
B2 18 17 20 17 72
B1 4 9 16 13 42
A2 n/a n/a 10 7 n/a

Note: The TOEFL iBT test provides the highest measurement precision at language-proficiency levels B2 and C1, which are typical requirements for admissions in higher-education institutions. Test takers with very high scores are likely to be able to perform at CEFR level C2.

Research

Comparing TOEFL iBT and TOEFL® Essentials™ Scores

Institutions can accept both the TOEFL iBT and TOEFL Essentials tests for the same purposes, including university admissions. To make sure your score requirements are aligned, visit the Setting Score Requirements page on the TOEFL Essentials website. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about comparing TOEFL scores.

See also:

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