The Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR)
The CEFR is a widely applied and recognised global framework for learning and assessment which facilitates the comparison of language curricula, syllabuses and exams. In the context of language exams, the CEFR assists assessment providers, publishers, teachers, learners and other relevant stakeholders in setting consistent content and performance standards. The table below, for example, is a representation of how the CEFR can be used to compare the levels of LanguageCert exams against those of IELTS.
Language learners are categorised into three broad levels that are further broken down into two sublevels; Basic Users (A1, A2), Independent Users (B1, B2) and Proficient Users (C1, C2).
All exams developed by LanguageCert are aligned to the CEFR levels. In meeting these requirements, exam materials writers adhere to the highest international standards based on their extensive expertise, knowledge and understanding of the CEFR.
Alignment of the IESOL and SELT language qualifications to the CEFR
LanguageCert International ESOL (IESOL) Exam | CEFR | IELTS | ||
Exam Level | Score per skill | SELT requirement per skill | CEFR Levels | IELTS score bands |
C2 Mastery |
33 - 50 25 - 32 |
R, W, S 33 - 50 L 25 - 50 |
C2 | 9.0 |
C1 Expert |
39 - 50 33 - 38 25 - 32 |
39 - 50 33 - 38 |
C1 |
8.0 7.5 7.0 |
B2 Communicator |
39 - 50 33 - 38 25 - 32 |
39 - 50 33 - 38 |
B2 |
6.5 6.0 5.5 |
B1 Achiever |
39 - 50 33 - 38 25 - 32 |
39 - 50 33 - 38 |
B1 |
5.0 4.5 4.0 |
A2 Access |
39 - 50 33 - 38 25 - 32 |
39 - 50 33 - 38 |
A2 | |
A1 Preliminary |
39 - 50 33 - 38 25 - 32 |
39 - 50 33 - 38 |
A1 |
Version 1.0 20 July 2020
- Overall Grades are reported as Pass or High Pass: Listening, Reading, Writing (L, R, W) aggregate 75-100 points for Pass, and 101-150 for High Pass; Speaking 25-34 for Pass, and 35-50 for High Pass.
- IESOL Statements of Results report the scores in each skill for the Written exam (L, R, W) and the Spoken exam (S).
- SELT Test Reports report the score for each skill on one Report (L, R, W, S) and for 2-facet tests only: (L, S).
- Exact equivalences tend to be complex and challenging owing to differences in test design and purpose (Taylor, 2004). Illustrative comparisons in the table above are indicative only.
- Source for the IELTS comparison: ielts.org/ielts-for-organisations/common-european-framework. As with LanguageCert’s International ESOL scores (with the exception of C2 Mastery), IELTS band scores represent overall aggregate band scores, not individual band scores for Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.