IELTS 8.5 in CEFR
IELTS 8.5 is CEFR C2, Proficient, by the IELTS partners' own mapping (ielts.org and British Council, 2026).
IELTS 8.5 is about CEFR C2.
Get a study plan for 8.5IELTS 8.5 in other tests
| Test | Score | Source |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL 1–6 | 6.0 | ETS, 2026 |
| TOEFL 0–120 | 115–119 | ETS & IELTS, Apr 2025 |
| Duolingo | 160 | Duolingo, 2022 table, rechecked 2025 |
| PTE | 86–89 | Pearson, Jul 2025 |
| Cambridge Scale | 205–210 | Cambridge chart, measured by us |
What IELTS 8.5 means
You understand almost everything you hear or read and express yourself precisely.
Universities that accept IELTS 8.5
This band meets each university's overall IELTS minimum, as stated on its own website and checked in the last six months. Courses can ask for more, and most also set a minimum for each skill.
| University | Country | IELTS, undergrad | IELTS, postgrad |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | United States | 8.0 | – |
| University of Cambridge | United Kingdom | 7.5 | – |
| University of Oxford | United Kingdom | 7.5 | – |
| Amherst College | United States | 7.5 | – |
| INSEAD | Singapore | – | 7.5 |
| IESE Business School | Spain | – | 7.5 |
| ESMT Berlin | Germany | – | 7.0 |
| Hertie School | Germany | – | 7.0 |
Frequently asked questions
What CEFR level is IELTS 8.5?
IELTS 8.5 is CEFR C2, Proficient, by the IELTS partners' own mapping (ielts.org and British Council, 2026).
What is IELTS 8.5 in TOEFL, Duolingo and PTE?
IELTS 8.5 equals TOEFL 6.0 on the new scale, Duolingo 160 and PTE 86–89.
Which universities accept IELTS 8.5?
For example Brown University, University of Cambridge, and University of Oxford. Requirements differ by course and level, so check the university's own page.
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