Cambridge English Scale Explained: Score Mapping & Qualification Benchmark
The Cambridge English Scale is a single reporting scale from 80 to 230 used across Cambridge English Qualifications. It reports performance on a common range so that scores align to CEFR levels A1–C2 and to specific exams, with each qualification targeting a band of the scale.
What this guide covers
- What the Cambridge English Scale is and its 80–230 range
- How scale scores map to CEFR levels
- Which scale bands correspond to each qualification and grade
- How an overall scale score is produced from the skill papers
Out of scope
- Exact grade boundaries for a specific exam session (these vary and are set by Cambridge)
- Direct numeric equivalence to IELTS (only broad comparison is appropriate)
Scope of this guide
This page explains the Cambridge English Scale and how its scores relate to CEFR levels and Cambridge qualifications. Grade boundaries for individual sessions are set by Cambridge and can vary; the mappings here are the stable, published alignments.
What the Cambridge English Scale is
Introduced in 2015, the Cambridge English Scale is a single score range from 80 to 230 used to report results across Cambridge English Qualifications and for each of the four skills (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking) plus Use of English. Because every exam reports on the same scale, results are comparable across exams and skills.
Scale-to-CEFR mapping
| CEFR level | Cambridge English Scale range |
|---|---|
| Pre-A1 | 80 – 99 |
| A1 | 100 – 119 |
| A2 | 120 – 139 |
| B1 | 140 – 159 |
| B2 | 160 – 179 |
| C1 | 180 – 199 |
| C2 | 200 – 230 |
Published alignment of the Cambridge English Scale to CEFR. Individual exams report only the part of the scale relevant to their level.
Qualifications and grades on the scale
Each qualification is aimed at a target CEFR level but reports a band above and below it, so a candidate can demonstrate a higher or lower level than the exam’s target.
| Qualification | Target CEFR | Scale range reported | Grade / result notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| A2 Key | A2 | 100 – 150 | Pass with Distinction can reach B1; low scores report A1 |
| B1 Preliminary | B1 | 120 – 170 | Distinction can reach B2; lower results report A2 |
| B2 First | B2 | 140 – 190 | Grade A (180–190) reports C1; Grade B/C report B2; 140–159 reports B1 |
| C1 Advanced | C1 | 160 – 210 | Grade A (200–210) reports C2; Grade B/C report C1; 160–179 reports B2 |
| C2 Proficiency | C2 | 180 – 230 | Grade A reports C2; lower grades can report C1 |
Ranges reflect Cambridge’s published reporting. Exact grade boundaries are set per session.
How the overall score is calculated
A candidate receives a scale score for each skill paper. The overall score is the average of the individual skill scale scores, and the CEFR level and grade are derived from that overall figure together with the profile across skills.
Can Cambridge Scale scores be compared to IELTS?
Both the Cambridge English Scale and IELTS are aligned to the CEFR, so they can be compared broadly through CEFR — but they are separate scales built on different tests. Treat any Cambridge-to-IELTS comparison as approximate, not as an exact conversion.
Free download
Cambridge English Scale to CEFR Conversion Chart
A single-page lookup chart mapping Cambridge English Scale scores (80–230) to CEFR levels and to each qualification’s grades — ideal for advising students.
Frequently asked questions
What score range on the Cambridge English Scale corresponds to CEFR Level C1?
On the Cambridge English Scale, CEFR Level C1 corresponds to roughly 180–199. Exams such as C1 Advanced are targeted at this band; a very high grade on C1 Advanced (around 200 or above) reports C2, while lower scores on that exam can report B2.
How is the overall Cambridge English Scale score calculated across individual skill papers?
Each skill paper (Reading, Writing, Listening, Speaking, and Use of English where applicable) is reported as a scale score. The overall Cambridge English Scale score is the average of these individual skill scores, and the reported CEFR level and grade are derived from that overall figure along with the candidate’s profile across skills.
Can Cambridge English Scale scores be directly compared to IELTS band scores?
Only broadly. Both the Cambridge English Scale and IELTS are aligned to the CEFR, so you can compare them indirectly through CEFR levels. However, they are distinct scales based on different tests, so any Cambridge-to-IELTS comparison is approximate and should not be treated as an exact one-to-one conversion.
The Cambridge English Scale is a single, unified reporting system ranging from 80 to 230 that maps candidate performance across Cambridge English Qualifications and CEFR levels A1 to C2.
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References & further reading
Written and reviewed by Ian L. Evans, TeflToday.org. Last reviewed August 4, 2026.