You may have seen letters like A2, B1, B2 and C1 on a course page or a score report. They come from the CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages. It is the most widely used way to describe how well someone can use a language. This guide explains what each level means in everyday English and how it lines up, roughly, with IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL iBT and PTE Academic scores.
What the levels mean
- A2 (elementary): you can handle common expressions about everyday topics such as shopping, work and family, and take part in simple, routine exchanges.
- B1 (intermediate): you can deal with most everyday situations, follow the main points of clear standard speech and texts, and describe experiences and plans.
- B2 (upper-intermediate): you can follow the main ideas of complex texts and talks, interact with fluency, and write clear, detailed text on many subjects.
- C1 (advanced): you can understand demanding, longer texts and implied meaning, express yourself fluently and flexibly, and write well-structured, detailed text.
Below A2 is A1 (beginner). Above C1 is C2 (highly proficient). Most learners who prepare for IELTS or CELPIP are somewhere between B1 and C1.
How the exam scores line up
Each exam owner publishes its own comparison. Here are the ranges they give for A2 to C1. They are comparisons published by the exam providers, not predictions of your own score:
| Level | IELTS (overall band) | CELPIP (level) | TOEFL iBT (1 to 6 scale) | PTE Academic (10 to 90) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A2 | 3.0 to 3.5 | 3 to 4 | 2 to 2.5 | 30 to 42 |
| B1 | 4.0 to 5.0 | 5 to 6 | 3 to 3.5 | 43 to 58 |
| B2 | 5.5 to 6.5 | 7 to 9 | 4 to 4.5 | 59 to 75 |
| C1 | 7.0 to 8.0 | 10 to 11 | 5 to 5.5 | 76 to 84 |
Read these numbers with care
- They are a guide, not an equation. IELTS itself says there is no one-to-one match between its bands and CEFR levels. It describes a score of 5 as borderline between B1 and B2, and places the start of C1 between 6.5 and 7.
- Every skill counts. These exams test Speaking and Writing as well as Listening and Reading. A learner can be B2 in reading and B1 in writing, and the overall score reflects the mix.
- TOEFL changed its scale. For tests taken from 21 January 2026, TOEFL iBT reports scores from 1 to 6 in half-point steps. For a transition period of about two years, reports also show a comparable 0 to 120 overall score, and older reports use the 0 to 120 scale.
- PTE Academic is not PTE Core. The table is for PTE Academic. For Express Entry, IRCC accepts PTE Core, which is a different test.
- Tables change. Exam owners update their comparisons from time to time, so check the source if a score matters for an application.
Which level do you need?
It depends on your goal. Universities, employers and immigration programmes each set their own minimum, and many use exam scores or Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) rather than CEFR letters. For Express Entry, read Express Entry language scores explained and check the official requirements for your programme. This article is general information and not immigration advice.
Find your own level
If you are not sure where you stand, our free Level Check gives you an A2 to C1 result in about 45 minutes. Below it, we show the general comparison ranges published by the exam providers, kept separate from your placement estimate. It does not test Speaking or Writing, so for a fuller picture you can book an assessment with feedback. Your Level Check result is a placement estimate. It does not predict an IELTS, CELPIP, TOEFL or PTE score.
Sources: IELTS and the CEFR (ielts.org); CELPIP test format and scoring (celpip.ca); ETS, understand your TOEFL scores; Pearson, understand your PTE Academic score.