International students dreaming about studying in a foreign country face a bottleneck when applying to any university – they need to demonstrate an English language proficiency level. However, practical language tests should not only satisfy the application prerequisite but can also serve students to overcome language-specific academic challenges while engaging in an English-speaking environment. In this article, the readers can find out about the most popular English language tests in the world, their characteristics, structure, and target audience.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)

This test is administered by educational and other institutions in the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, USA and many other European countries. It is the most popular and widely accepted for higher studies in English-speaking countries since it assesses all four aspects of the language with an equal focus: reading, listening, writing, and speaking.

Test Types:
IELTS Academic: Required for higher education institutions and professional registration.
IELTS General Training: Most commonly, it is needed for immigration to English-speaking nations.
Format: The test consists of four sections with the last one, speaking, done in person with an examiner.
Scoring: 0 being the lowest to 9 being the highest, students should be more than 6 and less than 7.5 to qualify majority of the universities.
Ideal for: Students who want to pursue higher education in the US and Canada after completion of their undergraduate course in their home country.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

The TOEFL, more specifically the iBT (International Basic Test) form, is widely used in many universities across the United States as well as in many other institutions worldwide. It focuses on the use of English in academic contexts. This test is therefore recommended for students who wish to study in the US or in other countries with similar programs.

Format: TOEFL iBT is entirely Web based and has four main components: reading, listening, speaking and writing. For speaking, there are some restrictions in that a computer is being used to record responses instead of the students communicating with an examiner.
Scoring: The scores are on a range of 0-120, with the cut-off point for most universities being set between 80-100.

Best for: Export Education US is best for foreigners with a plan to study in America or those who do not mind having a computer-based examination.

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

PTE A Level (Academic) is one more English proficiency test that, like any other test, is accepted by a good number of educational institutions worldwide and is adamantly preferred by many for its speedy result (where the result can be obtained within two working days). It is totally computerized and involves automated scoring thus reducing the possibility of human judgment bias.
Format: PTE measures all of the four skills, however, it cycles through multiple activities within a single task (reading and speaking within one task, for instance) which helps giving a comprehensive picture of the speakers language abilities.
Scoring: The range of scores is from 10-90. The average score accepted in many institutions is within the range of 50 to 70 depending on the institution accepting it.
Ideal for: Students who wish to apply for universities in the United States, Canada and Australian Universities or people who wish to obtain a result quite quickly.

Cambridge English Exams (C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency)

The most well-known qualifications for advanced English proficiency in students are Cambridge English Exams, especially C1 Advanced and C2 Proficiency. In contrast to IELTS or TOEFL, these exams never expire and can be held lifelong as proof of one's proficiency in English.
Format: The exam is a reading, writing, listening, and speaking exam with components such as "Use of English" specifically testing grammar and vocabulary.
Scoring: A Cambridge exam has grading scale (A, B, C) with equivalency to Common European Framework (CEFR) level: C1 and C2 score at the highest level.
Best for: Student looking for top universities or entry in the most professional areas whose job will extensively rely on English and who would find a certification without renewal useful.

Duolingo English Test

Recently, the Duolingo English Test has gained popularity because it is taken online and inexpensive. It is convenient for those students who cannot travel to test centers.
It is an adaptive format including reading, listening, writing, and speaking tasks. The adaptive feature of the test means that its level of difficulty adjusts according to the performance.
Score: The score ranges between 10 to 160. Most universities require at least 100-120.
Best for: students seeking low-cost accessible option and for whom the programme they are applying to accepts Duolingo as a replacement for other forms of tests.

CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)

CELPIP is intended for immigration into Canada is accepted by several Canadian universities and professional organizations.

Format: Tests everyday English rather than a strictly academic test, whereas the CELPIP-Academic test has an academic structure designed for education.
Scoring: Score runs from 1 to 12 and is equivalent to the CLB scale in immigration.
Best for: Students and immigration who will be studying or settling in Canada.

Choosing the Right Test for You

A great starting point when selecting an English language test would be to consider the country of study. Some countries are more keen on using other tests. For example, IELTS is widely used in the UK while TOEFL is widely adopted in the US. You should investigate the specific test scores that your desired universities require. Furthermore, one may require a face-to-face speaking test or a computer-based speaking test.
Cost and Accessibility: Duolingo is an online-based free application, while IELTS and TOEFL do have a test center that you have to visit. Each of these has a different set of advantages, and one can submit it at any international institution, so depends on what suits you the best with your specific study abroad purpose, country, and personal preference.

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