Most universities ask for proof of English. The four main tests are below. Always check exactly which test and score your university and visa need.
| Test | Format | Scores | Results | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS Academic | Paper or computer; speaking face to face with an examiner | Bands 0–9 | About 3–13 days | Most widely accepted. For some UK visas you need "IELTS for UKVI". |
| PTE Academic | Computer-based, AI-scored, about 2 hours | 10–90 | Often within 48 hours | Popular for Australia; accepted by many UK, Canadian and US universities. |
| TOEFL iBT | Computer-based at a centre or at home | 0–120 (new 1–6 scale also reported) | About 4–8 days | Very popular for the USA. |
| Duolingo English Test | Online at home, about 1 hour | 10–160 | About 2 days | Low cost and convenient; accepted by many universities but usually not for visas. |
Rough score equivalents
As a rough guide only, IELTS 6.5 is often treated as similar to PTE ~58–65, TOEFL iBT ~79–93 and Duolingo ~110–120. Each university publishes its own table.
How to choose
- Check which tests your shortlisted universities accept.
- If you need a test for a visa, check the official list of approved tests.
- Pick the format you're most comfortable with: some people prefer a human speaking examiner, others a computer.
- Do practice tests and allow time to retake if needed.