What English proficiency test should I take?

There are many different reasons to take an English proficiency test, and there are also a lot of different types of tests and exams. That’s why it’s important to do your research and understand which one is more suited to your needs and skills. This article can help you with that.

Choosing the right exam for you.

The first question you should ask yourself is: why are you taking a proficiency exam? Whether it’s for migration, education or professional purposes you can find the right one for you. The most common ones such as the PTE Academic, TOEFL, IELTS are widely accepted worldwide.

Check which exam you should take.

Most universities and immigration offices will have a section on their website where they explain which proficiency tests they accept and what score you should get in each of them. Check out the Harvard Business school and Australian government pages for example.

Grading scales

The three exams that were mentioned previously work with grading scales. This means you can’t fail them, but the score you get will determine your level of English on the CEFR. Each exam has its own score system, but the CEFR is standardized and is accepted globally as proof of proficiency.

The PTE Academic Test

The PTE Academic is completely computer-based. The speaking part is taken by recording yourself on the computer. You take the test in one sitting, which lasts about 2 hours. The results can take around 5 working days to come out but usually do in 24 hours. It’s valid for 2 years for Academic purposes and 3 years for Australian immigration purposes.

The IELTS

The IELTS has both computer-based and paper-based options. You have to attend an interview with an examiner to do the speaking part of the exam. You take the test in two sittings, adding up to a total of 2:45 hours. Results take from 5 to 13 days to come out. The validity is the same as the PTE.

The TOEFL

The TOEFL is completely computer-based. The speaking part is taken by recording yourself on the computer. The exam takes around 3 hours to be completed. The results can take from 6 to 16 days to come out, depending on which version you took. The validity is the same as the other two.

Other common English proficiency tests

There are other English proficiency tests accepted worldwide such as the Cambridge exams: FCE, CAE and CPE. The GRE, or Graduate Record Examinations. And finally, the GMAT, Graduate Management Admissions Test. They serve different purposes, so it’s important to do your research.

Why you should take the PTE Academic

Out of all of these English proficiency tests, we recommend you take the PTE Academic for a series of reasons. It is extremely easy to book, as it’s held almost every day of the year. The results usually come out in under 48 hours and you can get a good score, even if you don’t have perfect English.