CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) is a six-level scale, A1 to C2, developed by the Council of Europe to describe language ability. It is not a test. TOEIC is a specific English test created by ETS that produces a numeric score. Many tests, including TOEIC, convert their scores into CEFR levels so employers can compare results across different exams.
What TOEIC actually is
TOEIC is a standardised English test designed for the workplace. ETS (Educational Testing Service), the American organisation behind the SAT and TOEFL, developed it to measure how well non-native speakers handle professional English: reading business emails, understanding meetings, interpreting reports.
The full TOEIC Listening and Reading test contains 200 questions across two hours. Scores run from 10 to 990. In France, TOEIC dominates the professional English certification market. Around 700,000 tests are taken every year, largely because French candidates can fund it through their CPF (Compte Personnel de Formation) training credits. Expect to pay between 100 and 150 euros out of pocket when CPF does not cover the full cost.
If your employer runs a corporate English programme, TOEIC is probably the benchmark they use internally. That is its stronghold.
What CEFR actually is
CEFR is a framework, not an exam. The Council of Europe published it so that countries, schools, and employers across Europe could discuss language ability using shared vocabulary. A1 is beginner. C2 is near-native mastery. The levels describe what a speaker can actually do: read a newspaper, negotiate a contract, follow a fast conversation.
Dozens of tests report results using CEFR levels. Cambridge exams do. IELTS does. The French DELF does. Examinizer does. When an employer in Germany or Spain asks for "B2 English," they are asking for a CEFR level, not a specific test. Any accredited or recognised test confirming B2 proficiency satisfies that requirement.
This is the key distinction. TOEIC gives you a number. CEFR gives you a level. Most European hiring managers think in levels.
How TOEIC scores convert to CEFR levels
ETS publishes an official score-to-CEFR mapping. Here is how the two scales align:
| TOEIC score range | CEFR level | What it means in practice |
|---|---|---|
| 10 to 224 | A1 | Basic words and phrases only |
| 225 to 549 | A2 to B1 | Simple conversations, familiar topics |
| 550 to 784 | B1 to B2 | Independent user, handles most everyday professional tasks |
| 785 to 944 | B2 to C1 | Confident professional English, complex texts |
| 945 to 990 | C1 to C2 | Near-fluent, handles abstract and specialised topics |
When someone asks "what is the TOEIC B2 equivalent?" the answer is a score of roughly 785. Below 785 and you are in B1 territory, regardless of how close you feel to the next level.
When TOEIC makes sense
TOEIC is worth choosing if your situation matches one of these conditions.
You are on the French job market and your CPF account can fund the test. TOEIC is the dominant benchmark for French HR departments, and many job postings in France explicitly ask for a score rather than a CEFR level. In that context, a CEFR certificate from a lesser-known provider will not carry the same weight.
Your employer runs an internal English assessment programme built around TOEIC scores. Some large French corporations track employees' progress using TOEIC benchmarks over time. If you are already inside that system, staying consistent makes sense.
You need proof of workplace English specifically. TOEIC's content, emails, phone calls, reports, presentations, signals to a recruiter that you have been tested in a professional context, not just on general language ability.
When a CEFR certificate makes sense
Most European employers outside France do not ask for a TOEIC score. They ask for a CEFR level. B2 is B2, whether you proved it through Cambridge, IELTS, or an online platform like Examinizer.
A CEFR certificate is useful when you need to demonstrate your level quickly. The Examinizer English test takes 25 minutes, gives you a result immediately, and costs 8 euros for a shareable certificate. Compare that to 100 to 150 euros for TOEIC, weeks of preparation, and a fixed exam slot at a test centre.
If a job application asks for "proof of B2 English" with no specific test mentioned, an Examinizer CEFR certificate answers that requirement at a fraction of the cost. That matters when you are applying to several roles at once.
TOEIC vs Examinizer: side-by-side comparison
| Factor | TOEIC | Examinizer |
|---|---|---|
| What it tests | Workplace English (listening and reading) | General English proficiency (A1 to C2) |
| Format | 200 questions, 2 hours, test centre | 25 questions, 25 minutes, online |
| Result format | Numeric score (10 to 990) with CEFR indication | CEFR level (A1 to C2) |
| Cost | 100 to 150 euros | Free test, 8 euros for certificate |
| Result time | Several days after the exam | Immediate |
| Booking required | Yes, fixed date at an approved centre | No, start any time |
| Official accreditation | Yes, ETS accredited | No formal accreditation (not equivalent to IELTS or Cambridge) |
FAQ
Is TOEIC recognised across Europe?
TOEIC is recognised but not universally requested outside France. In France it is the dominant professional English test. In Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, and most other European countries, employers typically ask for a CEFR level rather than a TOEIC score. Check what the job posting actually requires before registering for any test.
Can I get a CEFR certificate instead of TOEIC?
Yes, if the employer or institution asks for a CEFR level rather than a TOEIC score. A CEFR certificate from a recognised platform confirms your level directly. If the posting says "TOEIC score required" or "minimum 785 TOEIC," you will need the actual TOEIC test. If it says "B2 English required," a CEFR certificate covers it.
What TOEIC score equals B2?
According to ETS's official conversion, a TOEIC score of 785 marks the start of the B2 range. Scores from 785 to 944 correspond to B2 and C1. To be safely within B2, aim for at least 800. Below 785, you are in B1 territory on the CEFR scale.
Which is better for a CV: TOEIC or a CEFR certificate?
It depends on your target employer and market. For French companies and CPF-funded programmes, a TOEIC score carries more weight. For international or European roles, a CEFR level is often more immediately understood. When in doubt, list both: your TOEIC score and the corresponding CEFR level it maps to.
Take the Examinizer English test in 25 minutes and get your CEFR result straight away. A shareable certificate costs 8 euros. No booking, no waiting, no test centre. Check your English level now.