Which English Test Do You Need?
Popular English Proficiency Tests
Universities, employers and immigration authorities abroad use these tests to check your English. Tap a test for its full guide.
IELTS
Academic and General Training. Bands 0–9. Face-to-face Speaking.
IELTS Guide →TOEFL iBT
New 2026 format, about 90 minutes, scored 1–6.
TOEFL Guide →PTE Academic
Computer-scored, 10–90, fast results.
Read More →Duolingo English Test
About 1 hour at home, scored 10–160.
Read More →Other Tests
Cambridge, LanguageCert, CELPIP and more.
Read More →Compare the Main Tests
Length, score scale and fee in India (2026, as reported).
| Test | Length | Score | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | 2 h 45 min | Band 0–9 | ₹19,000 |
| TOEFL iBT | 90 min | 1–6 | ₹15,729 |
| PTE Academic | 2 h 15 min | 10–90 | ₹18,900 |
| Duolingo (DET) | 1 h | 10–160 | US$59 |
IELTS and PTE fees include GST; TOEFL fee as listed for India; Duolingo is charged in US dollars. Fees change — check each test’s official website before booking.
Which Test for Which Country?
A general guide. Always confirm with your university and the country’s visa website.
| Goal | Tests usually accepted |
|---|---|
| USA — university | TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo (many), PTE |
| UK — university and visa | IELTS (UKVI for some visas), PTE, others by university |
| Canada — study and migration | IELTS, CELPIP, PTE Core for migration; universities accept more |
| Australia and New Zealand | IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and others for visas |
| Europe and Asia | IELTS and TOEFL most widely; Duolingo at many universities |
Visa rules change often and differ by visa type.
PTE Academic
Pearson Test of English Academic — a computer-based test, scored by computer.
Taken at Pearson test centres. Widely used for Australian and New Zealand visas, and PTE Academic UKVI for UK visas (as reported). Details: pearsonpte.com.
Duolingo English Test
A short, adaptive test taken online at home.
Accepted by many universities, especially in the USA; less often for visas. Check acceptance before booking. Details: englishtest.duolingo.com.
Other English Tests
Accepted by some universities, employers or immigration programmes.
Cambridge English
C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency — certificates that do not expire, accepted by many UK and European universities.
LanguageCert
LanguageCert Academic and SELT tests, accepted by many UK universities and for some UK visas.
CELPIP
Canadian English test used for Canadian immigration and citizenship.
PTE Core
Pearson’s general English test, used for Canadian migration.
Oxford Test of English
An online, modular test accepted by some universities and employers.
Michigan tests
MET and other Michigan Language Assessment tests, accepted by some institutions.
CEFR Levels — A Common Scale
Most tests map their scores to the Common European Framework of Reference, from A1 to C2.
A1–A2
Basic user — simple everyday English.
B1
Independent user — handles familiar topics.
B2
Upper independent — the usual minimum for undergraduate study abroad.
C1
Proficient — often needed for postgraduate and competitive courses.
C2
Mastery — near-native English.
Each test publishes its own score-to-CEFR mapping; check the official tables when comparing scores.
How to Choose Your Test
List your targets
Write down each university, course or visa you are applying for.
Check accepted tests
Note which tests each one accepts and the minimum scores.
Pick a common test
Choose one test accepted by all — usually IELTS or TOEFL.
Match your style
Prefer speaking to a person? IELTS. Prefer a computer? TOEFL or PTE. Need home testing? TOEFL or Duolingo.
Book early
Leave time for a retake before application deadlines.
Book on the Official Websites
Register only through each test’s official website or authorised partners. Fees and rules change — always check before you pay.
English Test FAQs
Which English test is best?
There is no single best test. Choose the one your university, employer or visa accepts, then the format that suits you — computer or face-to-face speaking, longer or shorter, at a centre or at home.
Are these tests accepted for visas?
Visa rules differ by country and change often. For example, the UK requires approved tests for some visas, and Canada and Australia list specific tests for migration. Always check the government website of the country.
How long are scores valid?
Usually two years for IELTS, TOEFL, PTE and Duolingo. Some organisations set their own limits.
What is CEFR?
The Common European Framework of Reference describes language ability from A1 (beginner) to C2 (mastery). Most tests report or map their scores to CEFR levels, which helps universities compare them.
Can I take a test at home?
Yes — TOEFL iBT and the Duolingo English Test can be taken at home with online supervision. IELTS and PTE Academic are usually taken at a test centre.
Do Indian students need an English test?
Most universities abroad ask for one, even if you studied in English. Some accept a waiver based on Class 12 English marks — check each university.