English Level
Comparison

Comparing English Language Levels & CEFR

When it comes to measuring someone's level of English, there are a number of different scores and frameworks that are used to determine the difference between beginner, intermediate, upper-intermediate and advanced.

When trying to understand your level of English proficiency it can sometimes be confusing as people may use different terminology to describe the same thing. Read on to find out more about different kinds of English level frameworks and to compare different exam scores.

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What is the CEFR?

The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (known as CEFR) is a framework or guideline used to describe achievements of language learners of across Europe.

The CEFR shows language ability on a six-point scale, starting at A1 for beginners, until C1 Advanced and C2 for those who are proficient in the language.

CEFR English Level Comparison

Below you can find a table that can be used to cross-reference different levels English. Contrast the CEFR with popular exam scores including the IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC and different Cambridge exams. Please note that the table below is for guidance only and should not be used as an exact indicator.

Intermediate +	B2	FCE BEC Vantage	5.5 – 6.5	87 – 109	543 – 626	785 – 944	310 – 399	60 – 74	59 – 75	Level 3	ISE II	7 – 9
Level	CEFR	Cambridge	IELTS	TOEFL		TOEIC		BULATS	PTE		TRINITY
Level	CEFR	Cambridge	IELTS	iBT	ITP	L&R	S&W	BULATS	Academic	General	ISE	GESE
Proficiency	C2	CPE	8.5 – 9.0	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	90 – 100	85 – 90	Level 5	ISE IV	12
Advanced	C1	CAE BEC Higher	7.0 – 8.0	110 – 120	627 – 677	945 – 990	400	75 – 89	76 – 84	Level 4	ISE III	10 – 11
Upper-Intermediate	B2	FCE BEC Vantage	5.5 – 6.5	87 – 109	543 – 626	785 – 944	310 – 399	60 – 74	59 – 75	Level 3	ISE II	7 – 9
Intermediate	B1	PET BEC Preliminary	4.0 – 5.0	57 – 86	460 – 542	550 – 784	240 – 309	40 – 59	43 – 58	Level 2	ISE I	5 – 6
Pre-Intermediate +	B1	PET BEC Preliminary	4.0 – 5.0	57 – 86	460 – 542	550 – 784	240 – 309	40 – 59	43 – 58	Level 2	ISE I	5 – 6
Pre-Intermediate	A2	KET YLE Flyers	3.0 – 3.5	24 – 56	337 – 459	225 – 549	160 – 239	20 – 39	30 – 42	Level 1	ISE 0	3 – 4
Elementary	A1	KET YLE Movers	0 – 2.5	8 – 23	0 – 336	120 – 224	80 – 159	0 – 19	0 – 29	Level A1	N/A	2

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Still not sure what level of English you are? Take our 15-minute English grammar test and find out how your grammar skills compare.

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CAE (Cambridge C1) and IELTS Score Comparison

You can use the table below to compare IELTS and Cambridge exam scores.

IELTS band	Cambridge English: C1 Advanced (CAE)
4.0	32
4.5	36
5.0	41
5.5	47
6.0	52
6.5	58
7.0	67
7.5	74
8.0	80
8.5	87
9.0	93

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