Comparison tool for TOEFL iBT, IELTS

Comparison tool for TOEFL iBT, IELTS

Educational Testing Service (ETS) has released an official score comparison for the TOEFL iBT test and IELTS academic test. The mapping tool provides the higher education community with an ETS-authorised comparison tool for each of the four skill sections (reading, listening, speaking, and writing), as well as for the total scores for both the English language assessments. The tool was created in response to the field's request for an accurate comparison that is grounded in research.

The newly-released ETS-authorised score comparison is based on a sampling of 1,153 students who took both the TOEFL iBT test and IELTS test. The equipercentile linking method was used to align the scores from the two assessments. This method is based on best practices required by the Guidelines for Practice by the International Language Testing Association (ILTA, 2007), the Standards for Educational and Psychological Testing (AERA, APA, NCME, 1999), and ETS Standards for Quality and Fairness (ETS, 2002, page 45). “Reviewing and comparing test results from two very different English language assessments that vary in design, content, and scoring can be a complex task,” commented Teresa Sanchez-Lazer, Executive Director of the TOEFL Program. “Based on feedback from the field, ETS felt a user-friendly, research-based comparison that can be used with confidence was warranted. We hope the new tool will be useful to admissions officials around the world in reviewing the English skills of non-native speakers.”

The TOEFL test measures a student's ability to use and understand English at the university level and evaluates how a student combines listening, reading, speaking and writing skills needed to succeed in an academic setting. The TOEFL test is recognized by prestigious universities around the world.

ETS has also published Linking TOEFL iBT Scores to IELTS Scores – A Research Report that outlines the research design, including the data collection, data analysis, and study results in which the score comparison was created.

More information regarding the TOEFL test is available at the TOEFL Go Anywhere website www.TOEFLGoAnywhere.org.