Understanding how to convert TOEFL scores to CEFR levels is essential for students planning to study abroad or seeking to improve their English proficiency. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) measures your ability to use and understand English at a university level, while the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) provides a standard for comparing language skills across different languages.
Many students wonder how their TOEFL scores correlate with CEFR levels to gauge their language abilities effectively. This guide will clarify the conversion process, helping you determine your CEFR level based on your TOEFL score, and ensuring you're well-prepared for your academic and professional goals.
Table of Content
What is the TOEFL Test?
The TOEFL exam, administered by ETS (Educational Testing Services), is known as the Test of English as a Foreign Language. It's widely accepted by universities and educational institutions in the US, Canada, and abroad. The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) evaluates international students' English skills in listening, speaking, reading, and writing, reflecting the language used in academic settings. ETS sets the TOEFL questions, administers the test, and sends score reports to test-takers. Due to the pandemic, ETS introduced the TOEFL at Home test and the TOEFL Essentials Test, ensuring a smooth testing experience for candidates.
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TOEFL Score Scale (Section-wise)
The TOEFL exam assesses your English language skills across four sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing. Each section is scored separately, and the scores range from 0 to 30. Here's a breakdown of the TOEFL score scale for each section:
- Reading Section: Scores range from 0 to 30.
- Listening Section: Scores range from 0 to 30.
- Speaking Section: Scores range from 0 to 30.
- Writing Section: Scores range from 0 to 30.
The total TOEFL score is the sum of the scores from each section, with a maximum total score of 120. This score scale helps evaluate your proficiency in English across different language skills.
TOEFL iBT Score Range
The TOEFL iBT (Internet-Based Test) score range is as follows:
Skill/ Score Range | Level* |
|---|---|
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TOEFL Total Score | These are added together for a total score of 0–120. |
TOEFL iBT Total Score Range
The total score of the TOEFL iBT exam is derived from adding all the section scores. Here's the breakdown of the total TOEFL iBT score range:
Total TOEFL iBT Score Range | Score Description |
|---|---|
118-120 | Expert User |
115-117 | Very Good User |
110-114 | Very Good User |
102-109 | Good User |
94-101 | Good User |
79-93 | Competent User |
60-78 | Competent User |
46-59 | Modest User |
35-45 | Modest User |
32-34 | Limited User |
0-31 | Extremely limited User |
What is CEFR?
CEFR, or the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, is an international standard developed by the Council of Europe in 1996. It provides a framework for assessing language abilities on a scale ranging from A1 for beginners to C2 for those who have mastered a language.
The CEFR is widely used by universities and institutions around the world to set language proficiency benchmarks for both learners and educators. It helps to understand the level of different qualifications and facilitates easy comparison of language abilities across different exams and countries.
Level Group | Level | Description |
|---|---|---|
A - Basic User | A1 - Beginner | The level refers to a very basic understanding of the language wherein the person can understand the commonly used phrases, can introduce him/herself and describe where they live, etc. The person with A1 level is often not able to speak well nor able to understand the language well until and unless spoken to very slowly and deliberately and with assistance. |
A2 - Elementary | A little improvement over A1, the A2 level refers to the ability to communicate about the everyday requirements in the language. The person can understand the day to day expressions and describe the immediate environment and answer routine and direct questions. | |
B - Independent User | B1 - Intermediate | This level is more than the previous in terms of the ability of the person to communicate with relevant ease in the language. Can relatively travel with ease, communicate his/her requirements in a manner understandable and can communicate in relatively well-formed sentences in areas of interest...but not all areas. The person is also able to communicate his/her opinion in a better manner. |
B2 - Upper-Intermediate | In terms of improvement over the B2 level, the basic understanding of the language remains the same but there is a relatively marked improvement in spontaneity and fluency of responses. The candidate can produce and use clear detailed sentences and communicate with the native speaker with ease. Also, the level signifies an improvement in the manner of expressing his/her opinions. | |
C - Proficient User | C1 - Advanced | The C Level refers to the advanced levels of proficiency in the language and relates to a level that signifies the person can speak, write and converse in the foreign language with ease. The fluency is also highly improved and the vocabulary is also distinctively well developed. This level refers to the ability of a person to use the language in academic or professional settings with efficiency and ease. |
C2 - Proficient | This is the highest level of proficiency, referring to the candidates’ ability to communicate in the foreign language without any restrictions/ concerns. The fluency and vocabulary are further embellished with the person's ability to argue and present his/ her point of view and also discern the finer nuances of the language. In other words, this is as close as a person gets to speaking the language like a native. |
TOEFL Scores conversion to CEFR Levels
CEFR Levels to TOEFL Score Conversion: The table below shows which CEFR levels correspond to your TOEFL Scores. CEFR is an international scale for measuring language abilities from beginner (A1) to master (C2). It's used by employers and educational institutions to compare qualifications internationally, especially in Europe like studying in Germany.
TOEFL iBT Total Score range (0–120) | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
114–120 | C2 |
95–113 | C1 |
72–94 | B2 |
42–71 | B1 |
NA | A2 |
NA | A1 |
NA | Below A1 |
Section-wise TOEFL Scores to CEFR Levels conversion
Here is the conversion of section-wise TOEFL scores to CEFR levels:
TOEFL Listening Section Scores to CEFR Levels
| TOEFL iBT (0–30) | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| 28–30 | C2 |
| 22–27 | C1 |
| 17–21 | B2 |
| 9–16 | B1 |
| n/a | A2 |
| n/a | A1 |
| n/a | Below A1 |
TOEFL Reading Section Scores to CEFR Levels
| TOEFL iBT (0–30) | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| 29–30 | C2 |
| 24–28 | C1 |
| 18–23 | B2 |
| 4–17 | B1 |
| n/a | A2 |
| n/a | A1 |
| n/a | Below A1 |
TOEFL Writing Section Scores to CEFR Levels
| TOEFL iBT (0–30) | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| 29–30 | C2 |
| 24–28 | C1 |
| 17–23 | B2 |
| 13–16 | B1 |
| 7–12 | A2 |
| n/a | A1 |
| n/a | Below A1 |
TOEFL Speaking Section Scores to CEFR Levels
| TOEFL iBT (0–30) | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| 28–30 | C2 |
| 25–27 | C1 |
| 20–24 | B2 |
| 16–19 | B1 |
| 10–15 | A2 |
| n/a | A1 |
| n/a | Below A1 |
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