In most cases, you will need to provide evidence of English proficiency by taking an English proficiency test when you apply to a foreign university. Here is a list of English proficiency tests which you can consider taking. This includes the IELTS exam (one you know about, surely) as well as the lesser known Duolingo English Test.
Key communication skills and advanced language ability are pivotal to success in a study program, whether it is the IELTS exam or the Duolingo English Test. All of these tests have different acceptability among universities. You should check which test suits you best and is accepted by your program for admission.
English Proficiency Tests Comparison 2026 – At a Glance
Test | Offered By | Score Scale | Test Duration | Fee (India) | Good Score | Best For |
IELTS Academic | British Council | Band 1-9 | 2 hrs 45 min | INR 14,000 | 7.5+ (many unis accept 6.5-7.0) | Commonwealth countries: UK, Canada, Australia |
TOEFL iBT | ETS (same as GRE) | 0-120 (sections 0-30) | ~3 hours | USD 180 | 110+ (very good); 90+ minimum most unis | USA universities primarily; accepted globally |
C1 Advanced (CAE) | Cambridge Assessments (non-profit, UoC) | Cambridge English Scale 180-230 | ~4 hours | INR 6,000 | Score 180-192 = Grade C (C1 level) | UK universities; European universities; 9,000+ institutions |
C2 Proficiency (CPE) | Cambridge Assessments | Cambridge English Scale 200-230 | Similar to CAE | Verify at cambridgeenglish.org | 200+ = C2 level (highest proficiency) | Students targeting highest English proficiency certification |
PTE Academic | Pearson | 10-90 (GSE scale) | ~3 hours | INR 13,300 | 75+ (very good); scored by AI; results in 48 hours | Growing acceptance globally; not universally accepted in USA |
Duolingo English Test (DET) | Duolingo | 10-160 | ~60 min (from home) | USD 59 (~INR 5,000) | 120+ (very good); ~1,000 universities accept | Students wanting fast, affordable, home-based test; Yale, Columbia, Duke accept |
All test fees are approximate and subject to change. Verify current fees at the respective official test websites before registering.
1. International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
The International English Language Testing System, better known as IELTS, is a globally accepted standardised English proficiency test for non-native English speakers. It is offered by the British Council. Around 3.5 million people take the IELTS annually, for different purposes. These include university admissions, training, and migration.
IELTS Detail | Information |
Offered by | British Council |
Annual test takers | Around 3.5 million globally |
Test duration | 2 hours and 45 minutes |
Sections | 4 sections: Listening, Speaking, Reading, Writing |
Score scale | Band 1 (lowest) to 9 (highest); scores reported for each section and as an overall band |
Test types | IELTS Academic (for higher education/professional registration) and IELTS General Training (for migration and workplace English). Take IELTS Academic for study abroad. |
Key difference between types | Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both. Reading and Writing sections differ – Academic is more rigorous and formal. |
Test fee (India) | INR 14,000 (verify at britishcouncil.in) |
Good score | Above 7.5 is considered good. However, universities have minimum acceptable scores ranging between 5.5 and 7.5 bands. Check your specific university requirements. |
Test availability | British Council India offers IELTS in more than 55 locations; Academic version available on 48 dates; General Training on 24 dates |
Best for | IELTS is a more popular test when applying to universities in Commonwealth countries: UK, Canada, Australia |
Prep resources | britishcouncil.org/exam/ielts/preparation |
2. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
The Test of English as a Foreign Language or TOEFL is another popular standardised English proficiency test. It is designed and administered by ETS, the same organisation behind the GRE. Like IELTS, TOEFL is also widely accepted by many English-speaking academic and professional institutions. In general, TOEFL is a more popular test among US universities.
TOEFL Detail | Information |
Offered by | ETS (Educational Testing Service; same organisation as GRE) |
Test duration | About 3 hours (entire test given in one day) |
Sections | 4 sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, Writing |
Score scale | Each section: 0-30; total score: 0-120 |
Good score | 110+ described as a very good user; 90-100 is the standard minimum for most programs |
Score validity | Valid for two years after the test date |
Test fee (India) | USD 180 (~INR 15,000-16,000 at current rates; verify at ets.org/toefl) |
Test availability | Offered up to 60 times a year; can be taken as many times as you want (minimum 12 days between attempts) |
Home edition | TOEFL iBT Home Edition available; identical content to test centre version; monitored by proctor online |
Paper-based test | Available if no internet connectivity; however, does NOT include the speaking section due to technological constraints |
Best for | USA universities primarily; also widely accepted globally; favoured for American English academic contexts |
Prep resources | ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/prepare |
Also Read: F1 Student Visa Rejection Reasons and How to Avoid Them
3. C1 Advanced (Cambridge Advanced English / CAE)
C1 Advanced, formerly known as Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE), is a somewhat less commonly known English proficiency test. More than 9,000 educational institutions, businesses and government departments around the world accept C1 Advanced as proof of high-level achievement in learning English. The test is operated by Cambridge Assessments, a non-profit wing of the University of Cambridge, which conducts assessments for 8 million learners in 170 countries.
The C1 Advanced is quite a popular and widely accepted test among UK universities (just like IELTS). We highly recommend you take either the C1 Advanced or IELTS if you are focusing on applying to the UK.
CAE / C1 Advanced Detail | Information |
Offered by | Cambridge Assessments (non-profit wing of University of Cambridge); assessments for 8 million learners in 170 countries |
Institutions accepting it | More than 9,000 educational institutions, businesses, and government departments globally |
Test duration | Approximately 4 hours total (Reading and Usage 1hr 30min; Listening ~40min; Speaking 15min face-to-face; Writing 1hr 30min) |
Speaking format | Face-to-face with two candidates and two examiners – different from IELTS (1 candidate + examiner) and TOEFL (computer) |
Score scale | Cambridge English Scale |
Grade breakdown | Score 200-210 = Grade A (C2 level – above C1); Score 193-199 = Grade B; Score 180-192 = Grade C (C1 level) |
Test framework | Uses Common European Framework of Languages (CEFR); targeted at C1 level |
Test fee (India) | INR 6,000 (verify at cambridgeenglish.org) – significantly cheaper than IELTS and TOEFL |
Best for | UK universities; European universities; students who prefer a face-to-face speaking test over computer-based |
4. C2 Proficiency (Cambridge English Proficiency / CPE)
CPE is another English proficiency test offered by Cambridge Assessments. It tests proficiency at the C2 level – the highest level of English proficiency according to the CEFR framework. The test structure is almost identical to CAE. Scoring ranges between 200-230. CPE is relevant for students who need to demonstrate the highest level of English proficiency for admission to extremely rigorous academic programs, or for professional certification.
5. Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic)
The Pearson Test of English or PTE is a newer English proficiency test offered by Pearson, a major publishing and assessment company. Because the PTE is a relatively new entrant, it is not as popular as competitor tests like IELTS and TOEFL. As a result, it is also not universally accepted by universities, especially in the US. But it is growing in popularity and may soon become a popular option.
PTE Academic Detail | Information |
Offered by | Pearson (major publishing and assessment company) |
Test duration | Approximately 3 hours |
Sections | 4 skills assessed: Speaking, Writing (conducted together), Reading, Listening (with optional 10-minute break) |
Question formats | Twenty different question formats ranging from multiple choice to essay writing and interpreting information |
Score scale | 10-90 based on GSE (Global Scale of English) |
Good score | 75 and above is considered very good |
Result speed | Results typically available within 48 hours of taking the test – faster than IELTS and TOEFL |
Scoring method | Scored by a trained AI algorithm which mimics how human markers would score, based on previous responses |
Test availability | More than 295 test centres in over 50 countries |
Test fee (India) | INR 13,300 (verify at pearsonpte.com) |
University acceptance | Not universally accepted, especially in the USA; check if your target university accepts PTE before registering |
Best for | Students targeting UK, Australia, Canada; students who want faster results; students comfortable with AI-evaluated speaking |
6. Duolingo English Test (DET)
Like the PTE, the Duolingo English Test is a new but very promising proficiency test. It is offered by Duolingo, an American language learning platform. As a new entrant, the DET is not as popular as competitor tests like IELTS and TOEFL. But it has witnessed rapid growth in popularity and is increasingly being accepted by many top universities like Yale, Columbia, and Duke. Around 1,000 universities accept DET scores.
Duolingo Detail | Information |
Offered by | Duolingo (American language learning platform) |
Test duration | Under 1 hour total; 3 parts: Setup (5 min), Adaptive Test (45 min), Video Interview (10 min) |
Test format | Entirely from home; requires working internet connection and webcam; monitored by proctor remotely |
Parts | Setup (test rules walkthrough), Adaptive Test (graded section: reading, writing, speaking, listening), Video Interview (ungraded; open-ended questions) |
Score scale | 10-160 |
Good score | 120 and above is considered very good |
Result speed | Results within 48 hours |
Test fee | USD 59 (approximately INR 5,000 – the most affordable option on this list) |
University acceptance | Around 1,000 universities globally; top universities accepting DET include Yale, Columbia, Duke. Check if your institution accepts DET before registering. |
Unique advantage | Take from home any time; very affordable; fast results; adaptive format |
Best for | Students wanting the most affordable and convenient option; students applying to universities that explicitly accept DET |
Which English Proficiency Test Should You Choose?
If You Are Applying To… | Recommended Test(s) | Reason |
USA universities (MS, PhD, MBA) | TOEFL iBT | TOEFL is the most popular test among US universities; ETS organisation is behind both GRE and TOEFL |
UK universities | IELTS Academic or C1 Advanced (CAE) | Both widely accepted by UK universities; CAE is operated by University of Cambridge (non-profit) |
Australia / Canada / New Zealand | IELTS Academic | IELTS is the most popular test for Commonwealth countries |
Germany / Europe (English-taught programs) | IELTS Academic or TOEFL iBT | Both accepted; verify with specific program |
Multiple countries simultaneously | IELTS Academic | Widest global acceptance across both US and Commonwealth universities |
Students wanting fastest results (48hrs) | PTE Academic or Duolingo | Both return results within 48 hours vs 13 days (IELTS) or 10 days (TOEFL) |
Students wanting most affordable test | Duolingo English Test (USD 59) | Most affordable; take from home; accepted by ~1,000 universities including Yale, Columbia, Duke |
Students who missed IELTS cut-off for UBC | UBC Vantage One route | UBC offers the Vantage program for strong students who failed the IELTS requirement for direct admission |
GradRight SelectRight helps you find the right university for your profile. Check which English test your target university requires before registering. Free, personalised. Find Your University on GradRight SelectRight
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