Choosing an exam · · 5 min read
IELTS or Cambridge: how to choose without regrets
Score or level, expiry or lifelong certificate: the differences that actually matter, explained in five minutes.
It’s the question we hear most in first consultations. The short answer: it depends on who is asking for it. The long answer is below.
Score versus level
IELTS gives you a score in bands from 0 to 9: it tells you how good you are, to within half a band. Cambridge exams certify a specific level (B2, C1, C2): you pass the exam at that level or you don’t, even though results are reported on the Cambridge English Scale.
How long it lasts
- IELTS: universities and organisations usually accept results from the last 2 years.
- Cambridge: the certificate doesn’t expire, although some organisations still ask for a recent result.
The practical rule
- Do you have a precise requirement (a university abroad, a visa, a professional body)? Read what they ask for and take that exam.
- Want a certificate for your CV or for university in Italy? Cambridge is often the easier choice, because it lasts.
- Need a precise number quickly? Usually IELTS or PTE.
Before you register, always check the latest requirements on the website of the organisation asking for the certificate.
Not sure? Try our Exam Finder: four questions and you’ll have a first answer.