How to Interpret the TOEFL/IELTS Conversion Charts?

The charts illustrate that the TOEFL scoring scale use a significantly wider point range (0-120) than the IELTS (0-9) grading system. You’ll receive a more accurate assessment of your English language skills with the TOEFL. Between 60 and 93 on the TOEFL, for instance, there is a significant difference: While 93 is a good score, 60 is typically insufficient for entrance to American universities. The needed average TOEFL score is 78, however 93 is actually higher.

In contrast, 60 and 93 translate to 6 and 6.5 on the IELTS. The difference is just 0.5 points! Consequently, you cannot observe these subtle disparities in language understanding on the IELTS that you can on the TOEFL, even if your actual English proficiency is truly between 6 and 6.5 (or, between 60 and 93 on the TOEFL).

Additionally, as opposed to the IELTS, the TOEFL does not round results. IELTS scores round down to 6, which is regrettably slightly less than the average needed to be admitted to US universities. Nevertheless, you will be sure to pass the minimum entrance standards for many American universities if you score 78 on the TOEFL, which is equivalent to 6 on the IELTS.

The TOEFL scoring method thus makes it marginally easier to obtain the score required for admission if your goal is to be accepted into as many U.S. universities as you can.

For example, a minimum TOEFL score of 87 or a minimum IELTS band score of 7 are required for UCLA’s graduate program. However, the translation chart above indicates that a score of 87 on the TOEFL translates into an IELTS score of 6.5, which is half of what UCLA requires! Therefore, choosing the TOEFL over the IELTS may make it slightly easier for you to meet UCLA’s English requirements.

Nevertheless, it can be challenging to get admitted into American institutions because many of them have specific requirements for the TOEFL scores in the Reading, Writing, Speaking, and Listening sections. How come? Because even if you achieve the required total score on the TOEFL, your application can be denied if one of your component scores is too low! On the other hand, most American colleges just need a minimum overall band score on the IELTS, not sectional scores. Because of this, you normally won’t need to concentrate about getting a certain number on any one IELTS section—just a total score.

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