The Core Inventory for General English (CIGE) was designed to help teachers understand what grammar, vocabulary, and language skills learners typically master at each CEFR level (A1–C1). But how accurate is it, really? 

To find out, this project analysed 416 responses from the Writing module of the British Council’s Aptis test. We looked closely at how test-takers actually used grammar and discourse features in their writing and compared that to what the CIGE predicts. A team of expert judges also rated a selection of responses blind, providing an independent check. 

What did we find? Slightly under half of the CIGE items matched the expected levels well. For many, the evidence was inconclusive. 

Citation:

Jones, G. (2015). A validation study of the British Council - Eaquels Core Inventory for General English. British Council. https://doi.org/10.57884/20DW-NE38