Mapping the TOEFL Primary Tests onto the Common European Framework of Reference - Executive Summary - Results - Standard-Setting Methodology

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw

Mapping the TOEFL Primary® tests to the CEFR provides an interpretable link between TOEFL Primary scores and the CEFR proficiency scale used for learning, teaching, and assessment. The study describes how TOEFL Primary evaluates young EFL learners’ communicative competence through reading, listening, and speaking. It reports the standard-setting approach, the expert panel composition, and the resulting minimum correspondence between CEFR levels and TOEFL Primary star, badge, and ribbon performance indicators. Guidance is provided for using global CEFR descriptors as context for interpreting outcomes.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Executive Summary

Background

ETS’s Goal

Standard-Setting Methodology

Results

Interpreting Results

Mapping the TOEFL Primary® Tests onto the Common European Framework of Reference Executive Summary Background The Common European Framework of Reference for Languages: Learning, Teaching, Assessment (CEFR) provides a common basis for describing the skills needed to reach different levels of language proficiency and is used by language instructors, educators, curriculum designers, and agencies working in the field of language development. The CEFR describes language proficiency in reading, writing, speaking, and listening on a sixlevel scale: A1–A2 (Basic User) B1–B2 (Independent User) C1–C2 (Proficient User) The CEFR provides a descriptive context that may be used to interpret the meaning and practical significance of scores on language tests. If a test score corresponds to one of the levels of the CEFR, what that score means and what students with at least that score are likely to be able to do becomes clear. ETS’s Goal The TOEFL Primary® tests measure the English ability of young English-as-a-foreign-language (EFL) learners (ages 8+) who are learning English to develop communicative competence. The TOEFL Primary tests provide a snapshot of young EFL learners’ English ability in three skills areas: reading, listening, and speaking. Teachers, schools, and parents may use the TOEFL Primary test to obtain accurate and meaningful information about students’ current English ability, including determining what students have accomplished, identifying areas for improvement, and monitoring students’progress. Some schools may use TOEFL Primary scores to place students in the appropriate level of instruction. The purpose of this mapping study was to identify the minimum scores on the TOEFL Primary tests that correspond to specific levels of the CEFR. Minimum scores were identified for the Reading and Listening Test (Step 1 and Step 2) and Speaking Test. The results of the mapping study allow ETS to align the reported TOEFL Primary levels with the CEFR levels. Standard-Setting Methodology Standard setting is the process by which a panel of informed experts makes score requirement recommendations that correspond to particular levels of knowledge, skills, proficiency, mastery, or readiness that students need. The end result of standard setting is one or more recommended minimum score requirements, or cut scores. Following the standard-setting process, this study aligned the CEFR levels with the TOEFL Primary Reading, Listening, and Speaking levels. For this study, the panel consisted of 18 educators with experience teaching English as a foreign or second language from 15 countries. Results TOEFL Primary score reports show levels of performance with stars (Reading and Listening Test – Step 1), badges (Reading and Listening Test – Step 2), or ribbons (Speaking) . The tables below show the correspondence between CEFR levels and TOEFL Primary test scores. TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test – Step 1 Scores | Level | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Scale Score | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | | Reading CEFR Level | A1 | | | A2 | | | | | B1 | | | | | | Listening CEFR Level | A1 | A2 | | | | | | | | B1 | | | | Students receiving a level of onemay be at the very beginning stages of learning English. A CEFR level is not provided for a level of one . TOEFL Primary Reading and Listening Test – Step 2 Scores | Level | | | | | | | | | | | | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Scale Score | 104 | 105 | 106 | 107 | 108 | 109 | 110 | 111 | 112 | 113 | 114 | 115 | | Reading CEFR Level | A1 | | | A2 | | | | | | | B1 | | | Listening CEFR Level | A1 | A2 | | | | | | | | B1 | | | Students receiving one may receive better information about their proficiency by taking Step 1. A CEFR

FAQs

What is the purpose of mapping TOEFL Primary test results to the CEFR?

The mapping study identifies the minimum TOEFL Primary scores that correspond to specific CEFR levels so ETS can align reported TOEFL Primary levels with CEFR levels and clarify what those scores mean for learners’ abilities.

Which TOEFL Primary skills and score areas are mapped to CEFR levels?

The study maps minimum scores for Reading and Listening (Step 1 and Step 2) and for the Speaking test to CEFR levels.

How can users interpret the mapped CEFR levels from TOEFL Primary results?

Users interpret recommended CEFR levels by referring to the CEFR global descriptors and additional modified CEFR descriptors referenced in the mapping study materials, treating the results as guidelines rather than rigid cut scores.

Sep 30, 2026

Uploaded by dabgoudw