EF SET to IELTS Converter

The EF Standard English Test (EF SET) and IELTS Academic both align to the CEFR scale, so EF SET scores map to IELTS bands via the shared CEFR mapping. EF SET 90 to 100 = CEFR C2 = IELTS 8.5 to 9.0; EF SET 71 to 89 = CEFR C1 = IELTS 7.5 to 8.5; EF SET 61 to 70 = CEFR B2 high = IELTS 7.0 to 7.5; EF SET 51 to 60 = CEFR B2 = IELTS 5.5 to 6.5; EF SET 41 to 50 = CEFR B1 high = IELTS 4.5 to 5.0; EF SET 31 to 40 = CEFR B1 = IELTS 3.5 to 4.0. The conversion is indicative; EF SET is self-assessment, while IELTS is proctored and certified.

No. EF SET is a self-assessment tool designed by EF Education First to give learners an indicative CEFR level, not an admission-grade certificate. Universities require IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Duolingo English Test, or Cambridge English Qualifications for admission. Immigration authorities (IRCC for Canada, UKVI for the UK, Department of Home Affairs for Australia) do not accept EF SET for any visa category. The conversion to IELTS is for self-evaluation: it tells you whether you are ready to take a formal test, not a substitute for one.

Three legitimate reasons. First, no-cost self-assessment: EF SET is one of the few no-charge, CEFR-aligned English tests with a recognised brand behind it. Knowing your CEFR level helps you set realistic targets for IELTS or TOEFL preparation. Second, professional CV signal: many candidates list EF SET on their CV under language proficiency as an indicative marker. Third, monitoring progress: take EF SET every few months during IELTS preparation to track whether your CEFR level is moving up before paying for a full IELTS retake.

For any formal application (university admission, visa, professional licensing, employer-required certification), yes. EF SET is not accepted by universities or governments. Take EF SET only as a no-cost self-assessment to check whether you are ready to take IELTS. The typical workflow: take EF SET to estimate your CEFR level, prepare for IELTS using the converted IELTS band as your starting point, then take IELTS Academic for the formal record.

At the CEFR level, reasonably accurate. At the half-band IELTS level, less so. EF SET measures only Reading and Listening (not Writing or Speaking), while IELTS measures all four skills. So the conversion can over-estimate IELTS for candidates with strong receptive skills and weak productive skills. Use the conversion as a CEFR-level signal, not as a precise IELTS prediction. For an accurate IELTS estimate, take an IELTS practice test.

EF SET measures Reading and Listening only. There is no Writing or Speaking component. The test is approximately 50 minutes long and adapts to the test-taker performance. Results are reported as a numeric score from 0 to 100 with a CEFR level (A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2). The test is fully online and self-proctored. Because Writing and Speaking are not assessed, EF SET does not produce a profile comparable to IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE Academic which test all four skills.

EF SET 70 corresponds to CEFR B2 high, indicative of IELTS 7.0 to 7.5. This level would meet most undergraduate and many graduate program thresholds, IF EF SET were accepted. But EF SET is not accepted for university admission. With an EF SET 70, you have a strong starting point to take IELTS Academic and target IELTS 7.0+ for the formal application. Plan to take IELTS at least 6 to 12 months before your application deadline.

Three main differences. Format: EF SET is online and self-proctored, with adaptive item delivery; IELTS is proctored at a test centre or via authorised online proctoring. Skills covered: EF SET tests Reading and Listening only; IELTS tests all four skills (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Scoring: EF SET is AI-scored from 0 to 100; IELTS is band-scored 0 to 9 by 0.5, with human examiners for Writing and Speaking. Fee: EF SET is no charge; IELTS is around 245 USD per attempt.