Who Should Take CEFR and Who Should Take IELTS?

“If I have a CEFR B2 certificate, do I still need to take IELTS?”
“Is IELTS 6.0 equal to CEFR B2?”
These are some of the most common questions we receive every week. While both CEFR and IELTS assess language proficiency, their purposes and recognition differ. To avoid confusion, it's important to understand how they compare.

What is CEFR?
CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a European system for evaluating language proficiency. It divides learners into six levels from A1 to C2 and assesses their skills in listening, reading, writing, and speaking.

• A1–A2 — Beginner
• B1–B2 — Intermediate
• C1–C2 — Advanced

CEFR is mostly used for local language courses, internal assessments, or CEFR-based exams.

What is IELTS?
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is a globally recognized English exam commonly required for:

• Admission to foreign universities
• Student visa applications
• Work or immigration purposes

The test includes 4 sections: Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking.
Scores range from 0 to 9 bands, where 6.0–6.5 is intermediate, and 7.0+ is considered advanced.
CEFR to IELTS Comparison:

Keep in mind this is not an official conversion — every university or embassy may have specific requirements.
Which One Do You Need?

• If you're attending a local language course, CEFR may be enough.
• If you're applying to a foreign university or for a student visa, you'll likely need IELTS.
• Some countries (like Italy or Turkey) accept CEFR B2 for certain grant programs, but most institutions prefer IELTS or TOEFL.

CEFR is a general framework for evaluating your language level, while IELTS is an international examination. Whichever path you choose, your documents should align with the specific requirements of that path.
If you're still unsure which one you need, you can get free consultation from World.uz specialists. We will help you choose the most suitable option based on your goals, assist in preparing your documents, and guide you on which certificate is required.