Indonesian EFL Journal
Vol. 12 No. 2 (2026)

A QUANTITATIVE CROSSWALK BETWEEN TOEFL ITP SCORES AND CEFR LEVELS: AN OUTCOME-BASED APPROACH FOR ELT IN HIGHER EDUCATION

Erna Nurkholida (UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri)
Ulin Ni’mah Rodliya Ulfah (Syekh Wasil Kediri)
Rafidah Abdullah (University of Islam Sultan Sharif Ali)
Titik Setiasih (UIN Syekh Wasil Kediri)



Article Info

Publish Date
29 May 2026

Abstract

As the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) gains prominence as a global benchmark, higher education institutions require precise and transparent methods to interpret institutional English proficiency test scores. However, the absence of empirical alignment between TOEFL ITP scores and CEFR levels poses challenges for outcome-based academic environments, particularly in relation to placement, certification, and policy decisions. This study aims to develop a quantitative crosswalk between TOEFL ITP scores and CEFR proficiency levels within an Outcome-Based Education (OBE) framework. Using a quantitative cross-sectional design, data were collected from 90 students in the seventh-semester university who completed a preparatory course and subsequently took an online TOEFL ITP prediction test via the institutional Learning Management System. The relationship between TOEFL ITP scores and CEFR classifications was analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and linear regression. The findings reveal a strong and statistically significant positive correlation between TOEFL ITP scores and CEFR levels (r = .78, p < .001). Regression analysis indicates that CEFR levels explain 60.8% of the variance in TOEFL ITP scores (R² = .608), with an average increase of approximately 90 points per CEFR level. Most participants were classified at the B1 level, indicating an intermediate proficiency typical of students preparing for academic contexts. These findings provide empirical support for aligning TOEFL ITP scores with CEFR descriptors and highlight the potential of an outcome-based approach to enhance transparency, accountability, and curriculum-aligned assessment practices in English Language Teaching (ELT) in higher education.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

pub

Publisher

Subject

Languange, Linguistic, Communication & Media

Description

The scopes of the journal include critical issues of educational practices in primary, secondary and tertiary education as well as in university level surrounding: English Language Pedagogy Language Acquisition Bilingualism and Multilingualism English language Literacy English for Specific Purposes ...