Key Differences Between TOEFL and Examinizer
TOEFL iBT and Examinizer are built for different audiences. TOEFL is developed by ETS specifically to measure whether a student's academic English is ready for university-level coursework taught in English, primarily in the US and Canada. Examinizer measures general CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference, developed by the Council of Europe) proficiency for professional and personal contexts, without an academic focus.
| Feature | TOEFL iBT | Examinizer |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | ETS (Educational Testing Service) | Examinizer (POSAYSHINE s.r.o.) |
| Cost | $220-300 | €8 (incl. 21% EU VAT = €9.68) |
| Duration | 3 hours | 25 minutes |
| Skills tested | Reading, listening, speaking, writing | Grammar, vocabulary, reading comprehension |
| Score | 0-120 | CEFR A1-C2 |
| Result delivery | 4-8 days | Instant |
| Accepted for | US/Canadian universities, immigration | Professional HR contexts |
| Format | Computer-based at test centres | Online anytime |
TOEFL to CEFR Mapping
ETS does not officially publish CEFR equivalencies for TOEFL iBT scores. The mapping below is an approximate, community-derived correspondence used informally by language educators and should not be treated as an official ETS conversion.
| TOEFL iBT Score | CEFR Level |
|---|---|
| 0-31 | A2 |
| 32-42 | B1 (lower) |
| 43-71 | B1-B2 |
| 72-94 | B2 |
| 95-113 | C1 |
| 114-120 | C2 |
When to Choose TOEFL
Choose TOEFL if you are applying to a US or Canadian university, since TOEFL is the most widely requested English proficiency test across North American admissions offices. Choose TOEFL if you are applying to graduate school, where academic English proficiency, including formal academic writing, is specifically assessed. Choose TOEFL if you are pursuing immigration to North America through a pathway that requires an accredited English test. Choose TOEFL if you are applying for a scholarship that requires proof of academic English ability as part of the eligibility criteria.
When to Choose Examinizer
Choose Examinizer if you want a quick CEFR estimate for professional, non-academic contexts rather than university admission. Choose Examinizer if a European employer has asked for a general sense of your English level rather than a specific accredited score. Choose Examinizer if you want to check your level before deciding whether to invest in TOEFL preparation and the exam fee. Choose Examinizer if you are an HR professional screening international team members for general English competence.
Honest Limitations
TOEFL is accepted by more than 11,500 universities in over 150 countries, making it one of the most widely recognised academic English tests in the world. Examinizer is not accepted by any university for admission purposes. TOEFL tests academic English including speaking and academic writing, both in a structured, examiner-scored format. Examinizer does not test speaking or academic writing at all, covering only grammar, vocabulary, and reading comprehension. TOEFL scores are considered valid for 2 years by most receiving institutions, while Examinizer certificates carry no official expiry, since they document a point-in-time self-assessment rather than an accredited qualification. TOEFL is a separate accreditation track from ALTE (Association of Language Testers in Europe), the consortium behind many of the European exams referenced elsewhere on this site, though both ultimately reference the same CEFR scale.
For a broader look at how CEFR levels work across A1 to C2, see our CEFR guide. If you want to check your level before deciding whether to invest in TOEFL preparation, the English test hub and CEFR test are free starting points, and the full certificate flow is available at examinizer.net/online-language-certificate/.