- Importance of English as a Foreign Language Assessment Tests
- Different Foreign Language Assessment Test
- What is the need to compare or convert IELTS scores into other English Exam scores?
- Comparing IELTS with Other English Exams
- Which Test Should One Take?
- Is Conversion of Scores a Usual Practice?
- What are the Pros and Cons of Score Conversion?
Updated on: 12 Sep 2023
Table of Content English as a Foreign Language Assessment Test is beneficial to students who want to move to an English speaking country but do not belong to one. These tests assess the English proficiency of the students by testing their reading, writing, speaking and listening abilities. A few other skills might be included to bring more clarity to the assessment. These scores come handy while applying for universities, or a work visa, in countries with native language English. There are quite a few options a student can choose from based on the country they are applying in, or the purpose they want to move abroad for. IELTS, or International English Language Testing System, is one of the most famous exams to test the English proficiency of non-native speakers. IELTS scores are accepted in a lot of countries like the UK, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. A lot of universities in the US also accept IELTS scores. This exam is conducted frequently throughout the year, with numerous test centres spread around the world including India. The scores range from band 0 to band 9 and are useful while applying for universities, or a work visa, or an immigration visa in countries accepting IELTS. A whopping number of 2.5 million students take this exam every year. TOEFL stands for Test Of English as a Foreign Language. TOEFL scores play a significant part in university applications in countries like the US, the UK, France, New Zealand, Canada and many more. The score ranges from 0 to 120, each of the four sections being evaluated out of 30. Reportedly, more than 35 million students have taken this exam since 1965. Cambridge English Exams have four different levels, namely, Proficiency (CPE), Advanced (CAE), Preliminary (PET), Key (KET). They do not follow any grading system in particular. You either pass or fail in these exams. The Oral Proficiency Interview tests only the speaking ability of the person taking the test. It is held in the form of an interview. The test taker is supposed to be scored by two people - the interviewer, and a second certified tester. The scoring is done as follows - Superior, Advanced High, Advanced Mid, Advanced Low, Intermediate High, Intermediate Mid, Intermediate Low, Novice High, Novice Mid, Novice Low. OPIC stands for Oral Proficiency Interview ( Computer ). As the name suggests, it is a computer-based exam that delivers an accurate and reliable evaluation of the examinee’s oral proficiency in English. The test is conducted using a virtual avatar so that the examinee can take the exam as per his or her convenience. The test goes on for 40 minutes and is evaluated by the ACTFL professionals. A self-assessment test precedes the actual exam to judge the level of the OPIC fit for the examinee. Let us understand this with an example. Although a lot of universities accept IELTS scores, a certain university that you want to be in, might require a TOEFL score. Let us suppose you want to get into Stanford and you already have your IELTS scores in your back pocket. Now, before you start staying up nights for your TOEFL preparations, your IELTS scores help you to get an idea about how well you’ll fare on the TOEFL. Moreover, having sample IELTS scores and converting them into other English Exam scores might help you decide which examination is best suited for you. Once you have your IELTS scores handy, you can get an idea about how much you can score in the other English exams using the following table. The following table shows the score conversion from IELTS to TOEFL and Cambridge Exams. IELTS TOEFL(iBT) Cambridge 9 118-120 209+ 8.5 115-117 205-208 8 110-114 200-204 7.5 102-109 191 -199 7 94-101 185 - 190 6.5 79-93 176-184 6 60-78 169-175 5.5 46-59 162-168 5 35-45 154 - 161 4.5 32-34 Cannot be mapped with Cambridge Scores 4 0-31 Cannot be mapped with Cambridge Scores 3.5 0-31 Cannot be mapped with Cambridge Scores 3 0-31 Cannot be mapped with Cambridge Scores 0-2.5 0-31 Cannot be mapped with Cambridge Scores Before preparing for any English language assessment test, one should decide which exam would be the best as per the purpose it is required to serve and the country one chooses to be in. If you have been following the British style of English, which is the one that we follow in India, you’re likely to score better in the IELTS exam. Moreover, if you are planning on moving to the UK, Canada, New Zealand or Australia, IELTS would be the best option for you, as it is widely accepted in these countries. IELTS also provides both paper and computer-delivered tests in India, and hence, can be a favorable option for many. Computer-based IELTS exams are held very frequently throughout the year. One major advantage of IELTS is that it has two different exams for two different purposes. Academic for students moving abroad for higher studies, and General for people who need it for work or immigration visa. The General IELTS exam is easier than the academic one, and hence, one need not trouble oneself preparing unnecessarily for a harder exam. IELTS can take two days. The Speaking skills test might be conducted on a different day, as per the circumstances. If you are not good with face-to-face interviews, IELTS can prove to be tough for you. Your essay structure should be strong for the Writing test. You should also keep in mind, that an IELTS exam costs 13,250 INR. On the other hand, the TOEFL is based on American English. If you see yourself in the US or Canada in a year or so, you should take the TOEFL exam. TOEFL scores are more readily accepted in these countries. Before preparing for TOEFL, remember, only computer-based exams are conducted in India. Hence, you are required to be familiar with basic computer skills. Reportedly, it is easy to score in this exam as the questions are pretty direct and straight-forward. The application fee for TOEFL is around 11,000 INR. Now, talking about Cambridge English Exams, they have one huge advantage over IELTS. IELTS scores expire after two years, whereas, CAE scores do not have an expiration date. But you should also remember, CAE has a wider range of topics and is way less academic. You should go for CAE if you really love English and you just want to know where you stand. Being less academic also happens to make it more interesting. For Indians, IELTS seems to be the most practical option. Indians have been trained in British English since the beginning of their school life. Hence, they already have an edge with the IELTS exam. IELTS scores are accepted everywhere in the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and in a lot of places in the US too, as stated earlier. Although, there are certain universities like Stanford University, Harvard and Georgia Institute of Technology in the US that do not accept the IELTS scores. If you plan on applying to any of those universities, you will have to take the TOEFL. Before you confuse yourself, let me tell you, converting scores to other English exam scores is not actual practice. It is a student-designed concept. Converting scores merely helps you to get an idea about what exam you should proceed with. If you have taken the TOEFL, and you are not satisfied with your result, by converting the scores, you can judge whether you should reattempt TOEFL or prepare for some other English Assessment exam. It helps you understand where you stand before you start preparing for another exam. This helps you to plan your preparation and set a proper achievable goal. But also, take this example. Suppose a certain university requires a minimum of 90 in the TOEFL. You have taken the IELTS exam and scored a 6.5. Now here is the problem. Score conversion charts suggest you can score anything between 79-93, which means, with whatever preparation you have right then, you may or may not get into the university you were planning for. Hence, converting your scores should never be your last step during the preparations. Score conversion charts provide you a range. It is an approximation of where you are likely to stand. Speaking of IELTS scores, if you are someone who is aiming to study abroad and are certain that an IELTS score is the way to your desired university and course abroad, then you may want to check out how IELTS scores are calculated by clicking here. Furthermore, you can also check out our IELTS preparation guide which will help you land that perfect score guaranteeing your admissions to top universities abroad. 
Importance of English as a Foreign Language Assessment Tests
Different Foreign Language Assessment Test
IELTS
TOEFL
Cambridge English Exams
CPE: It has five sections - Reading, Composition, Use of English, Listening, Interview. The scoring pattern is A, B or C for pass and D, E or U for fail.
CAE: It has four sections - Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening and Speaking. The scoring pattern is A, B or C for pass and D, E or U for fail.
PET: The test is divided into three sections - Reading and Writing, Listening, Speaking. The scoring pattern is 'pass’, ‘pass with merit’, ‘narrow fail’, or ‘fail’.
KET: It has three different sections - Reading and Writing, Listening and Speaking. There are two versions of KET: KET and KET for schools. The grading system follows the pattern - Pass with distinction (B1), Pass with Merit (A2), Pass (A2), Fail (A1).
There are other Cambridge English exams available too, like FCE, BEC, etc.OPI
OPIC
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What is the need to compare or convert IELTS scores into other English Exam scores?
Comparing IELTS with Other English Exams:
Which Test Should One Take?
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Is Conversion of Scores a Usual Practice?
Having appeared for the IELTS, you cannot get the TOEFL equivalent of that and try applying for Stanford. That is against the rules. You will have to take the TOEFL again. What are the Pros and Cons of Score Conversion?
It also helps you to boost your confidence, which is the first step in every exam preparation.
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Therefore, you are advised to check your score range beforehand and start preparing likewise.
First published date: 21 Oct 2019
About author
Yogender Panchal
Yogender is a tech enthusiast with specialization in digital marketing. He is currently working at Gyandhan a leading company which provides Education Loan who are studying Abroad. Playing Volleyball, driving a car, traveling, researching new online marketing trends are some of his interest areas that keeps his rejuvenated.
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