| LSI/IH Portsmouth Level (CEF*) | Can do | IELTS Level | Cambridge Exam |
| Advanced (C2) | Understand native speakers extremely well Communicate ideas and opinions with considerable clarity |
7.5 – 9 | CPE Certificate of Proficiency in English |
| Pre-Advanced (C1) | Understand familiar registers of spoken English even at sustained levels of discourse
Communicate on a wide range of subjects effectively |
6.5 – 7 | CAE Certificate of Advanced English |
| Upper-Intermediate (B2) | Understand native speakers in stock or job-related situations Communicate adequately in a range of situations |
5.5 – 6 | FCE First Certificate in English |
| Intermediate (B1-B2) | Understand familiar and simple texts competently Can communicate adequately in most everyday situations |
4.5 – 5 | |
| Lower-Intermediate (B1) | Understand the main points of clear standard input on familiar matters Sustain dialogues on topics which are familiar or of personal interest Understand basic notices, instructions or information |
4 – 4.5 | |
| Elementary (A1-A2) | Interact in a simple way an describe in simple terms aspects of his/her background | 3 – 3.5 | |
| Beginner (A1) | Initially a non-user of English, working towards being able to understand and use correctly simple words or stock phrases | 2 |
*Common European Framework
Progress – on average, students tend to complete an LSI/IH Portsmouth level (e.g intermediate) approximately every 12 weeks.