Michigan Language Assessment recently conducted a concordance study to align the Michigan English Test (MET) scores with IELTS Academic band scores. Governments, colleges and universities, professional and licensing boards, credential evaluation agencies, and other stakeholders rely on such research studies to inform their decisions and compare English language proficiency levels across tests.
Following best practice principles for concordance studies, this study involved over 1,000 participants from more than 25 countries with an interest in obtaining certification of their English language proficiency for educational, professional, or personal purposes. Participants took both IELTS Academic and MET. The full study can be found in our research library.
The following table shows how MET overall scores align with IELTS Academic overall band scores.
| MET score range | IELTS Academic band |
| 38-43 | 4.5 |
| 44-48 | 5.0 |
| 49-52 | 5.5 |
| 53-57 | 6.0 |
| 58-61 | 6.5 |
| 62-66 | 7.0 |
| 67-70 | 7.5 |
| 71-75 | 8.0 |
| 76-80 | 8.5 |
This information about IELTS and MET scores is useful for test takers as well as test users. It is important to point out that IELTS and MET are different tests, that these IELTS and MET score comparisons are estimates only, and populations that differ significantly from those used in the study may yield different comparisons. Because the score comparisons presented in the table are indicative only, score users are advised not to rely solely on published score equivalences when making decisions; they should weigh evidence from additional sources where feasible. More detailed guidance on interpreting score equivalences can be found in the full report.
Test takers who have questions about their MET results or institutions that would like additional information about the results of the IELTS and MET concordance study can contact us at info@michiganassessment.org.