Bands equivalency of oxford, langcert, doulingo, password, toefl, ielts etc

 

Below is an overview—based largely on conversions used by some UK institutions (for example, the University of Leicester’s published table)—of how several English‐language tests or qualifications might roughly map onto one another. Keep in mind: these equivalencies are only approximate. Differences in test design, reporting, and the fact that some qualifications (like school exams) measure academic achievement rather than “real‐world” language use mean that any conversion must be used with care. Always check the official requirements of the institution or organization to which you’re applying.

1. The “Core” Standard: IELTS

IELTS scores are reported in bands (for example, 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5). Many universities and organizations set a minimum band (often in the 6.0–7.0 range) as an attestation of proficiency.

2. Standardized International Tests

TOEFL iBT

Based on many conversion tables, the rough relationships are as follows (note that some tables differentiate between the standard and home editions):

• IELTS 5.5: TOEFL iBT ≈ 70–80
• IELTS 6.0: TOEFL iBT ≈ 80–90
• IELTS 6.5: TOEFL iBT ≈ 90–100
• IELTS 7.0: TOEFL iBT ≈ 100–110
• IELTS 7.5: TOEFL iBT ≈ 110 or above

(The slight differences (e.g. home edition vs. standard) mean you should confirm with your target institution.)

Duolingo English Test (DET)

The conversion used by a number of institutions is roughly:

• IELTS 5.5: DET score ≈ 95
• IELTS 6.0: DET score ≈ 105
• IELTS 6.5: DET score ≈ 120
• IELTS 7.0: DET score ≈ 130
• IELTS 7.5: DET score ≈ 140

This scale gives you a ball‐park idea for comparing Duolingo scores with an IELTS “band.”

Password Plus

This test is designed to mirror IELTS thresholds almost one‐to‐one. That is, a Password Plus result is reported in values that effectively match the IELTS bands:

• Password Plus 5.5, 6.0, 6.5, 7.0, 7.5 In other words, if you receive a “6.0” on Password Plus, it is treated as equivalent to an IELTS 6.0 by many conversion tables.

3. LanguageCert Qualifications

LanguageCert comes in two common forms:

1.    LanguageCert Academic

o    Here the scoring is numerical and the conversions used by some UK institutions are roughly:

§  IELTS 5.5 ≈ 60

§  IELTS 6.0 ≈ 65

§  IELTS 6.5 ≈ 70

§  IELTS 7.0 ≈ 75

§  IELTS 7.5 ≈ 80

2.    LanguageCert International ESOL B2

o    This test reports outcomes qualitatively (e.g. “Pass” or “High Pass”). In these conversions, a basic “Pass” is generally seen as aligning with the lower IELTS threshold (around 5.5), while a “High Pass” is taken to indicate a level nearer to 6.0–6.5. (Because it uses fewer “grade points,” it’s less precise than the numerical tests.)

4. Oxford Examinations (e.g. Oxford AQA iGCSE in English)

The Oxford examinations (sometimes referred to by their awarding body, AQA) are academic qualifications rather than standardized “proficiency tests” for university admissions. Their grading is usually reported as letters or grades rather than numeric scores. For context, conversion tables used by some institutions indicate that:

• For English as a First Language:
• A Grade “C1” in these exams is seen as roughly equivalent to an IELTS score in the lower pass range (around 5.5–6.0)
• A Grade “B1” suggests a higher proficiency, though the conversion isn’t exact.
• For English as a Second Language:
• A Grade “B2” is taken as roughly analogous to a lower IELTS band (near 5.5),
• Whereas a Grade “A2” is indicative of a higher level.

Because these exams assess school curriculum achievement rather than a full language proficiency spectrum (listening, speaking, reading, and writing under standardized conditions), conversion to IELTS bands isn’t a direct 1:1 affair. Admissions offices or employers who seek IELTS scores usually request a test that’s specifically designed as a language proficiency test.

5. A Summary Equivalency Table

Below is a simplified table summarizing the approximate conversion from these tests to IELTS bands:

Test / Qualification	IELTS Band 5.5	IELTS Band 6.0	IELTS Band 6.5	IELTS Band 7.0	IELTS Band 7.5
IELTS	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0	7.5
TOEFL iBT (Standard/Home Edition)	70–80	80–90	90–100	100–110	110+
Duolingo English Test (DET)	≈95	≈105	≈120	≈130	≈140
Password Plus	5.5	6.0	6.5	7.0	7.5
LanguageCert Academic	≈60	≈65	≈70	≈75	≈80
LanguageCert International ESOL B2	“Pass” (≈5.5)	“High Pass” (≈6.0–6.5)	“High Pass” (≈6.0–6.5)	—	—
Oxford AQA iGCSE, English (First Language)	Grade C1 (≈5.5–6.0)	Grade C1 (≈5.5–6.0)	Grade B1 (≈6.0+)	Grade B1 (≈6.0+)	—
Oxford AQA iGCSE, English (Second Language)	Grade B2 (≈5.5)	Grade B2 (≈5.5)	Grade A2 (≈6.0+)	Grade A2 (≈6.0+)	—

Note: The “Oxford” and LanguageCert International ESOL B2 rows are inherently less precise given that they are based on school or qualitative criteria rather than a strict proficiency test. Always check the specific conversion guide provided by the receiving institution.

Final Thoughts

Since each testing system measures English skills in different contexts (academic exams versus standardized language tests) and reports them on different scales or even qualitatively, these equivalencies should be seen as rough guides. When preparing for university applications or another formal requirement, it’s always best to consult the official conversion information from both the testing bodies and the institution in question.

Would you like more detailed guidance on preparing for any of these specific tests or further insights on how these equivalencies might impact your application process?