English Proficiency Tests Compared: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Duolingo and More

Which English test should you take?

Answer six quick questions and see which tests fit you best, with the reasons. The full comparison is below.

Almost every university that teaches in English asks international applicants for proof of English, and most accept a short list of tests. Those tests have changed a lot recently: TOEFL moved to a new 1–6 scale in January 2026, IELTS is phasing out its paper test, and newer tests such as the Duolingo English Test and LanguageCert are now on many lists. Every fact on this page was read on the test owners’ own websites on 26 October 2026; the sources are listed at the end.

Seven English tests at a glance

Owners also publish how widely their test is recognised: TOEFL “more than 13,500” institutions, IELTS “over 13,500” organisations, Cambridge C1 Advanced more than 11,000 educational institutions, businesses and government departments, the DET 6,500+ institutions, PTE 4,000+ universities and colleges, LanguageCert 3,000 institutions and the Oxford Test of English 1,200+. Each counts something slightly different, so use these as a rough guide, not a ranking.

Fees in the US and India

Every owner prices by country, some including tax and some not. These are the prices shown on the official sites on 26 October 2026; check the booking page for your own city before you pay.

Which tests you can take at home

For a visa, check the exact rules first. For example, LanguageCert says Australian visas need its test-centre version, and UK visas need its Academic SELT at a UKVI centre.

What C1 means on each test

Each owner publishes where its own scores sit on the CEFR, the A1–C2 scale used across Europe and by many universities. These are each test’s own alignments, not conversions between tests.

Pearson publishes its PTE Academic alignment as a chart rather than exact cut-offs. To turn a DET score into rough IELTS and TOEFL equivalents, use the DET score comparison; the owners disagree about how the new TOEFL scale compares, so treat any cross-test table as approximate.

Retakes and validity

“No expiry” does not mean every university will accept an old certificate. Many ask for a result from the last two years whatever the test says, so check the admissions page.

Each test in brief

Duolingo English Test

The shortest test, taken only at home: about one hour, with 13 question types that adapt to your level, results within 2 days and a score from 10 to 160 with eight subscores. See what the Duolingo English Test is.

IELTS Academic

Run by the British Council, IDP and Cambridge. Listening (about 30 minutes), Reading (60), Writing (60) and a face-to-face Speaking interview (11–14 minutes). The paper test is being phased out from mid-2026 in favour of computer delivery, with an optional Writing on Paper version. A One Skill Retake lets you resit one section within 60 days.

TOEFL iBT

Run by ETS. Since 21 January 2026 it has new task types, adapts to your answers, takes about two hours with no scheduled breaks, and reports each section and the total on a 1–6 scale in half bands. Until January 2028 the report also shows a comparable 0–120 score. Compare it with the DET in Duolingo English Test vs TOEFL.

PTE Academic

Run by Pearson, entirely on computer at a test centre: Speaking and Writing together, then Reading, then Listening. Scored 10–90. Pearson has more than 500 centres, including 57 in India and 88 in the US.

Cambridge C1 Advanced

A Cambridge English Qualification at C1 level, with four papers: Reading and Use of English (1 h 30), Writing (1 h 30), Listening (about 40 minutes) and Speaking (15 minutes, usually in pairs). It gives a certificate that does not expire. Grade A (200–210) is reported as C2; scores from 160 to 179 earn a B2 certificate.

Oxford Test of English

From Oxford University Press, taken on computer at Approved Test Centres. You can take all four modules or only some. The standard test covers A2–B2; the Advanced version certifies B2 and C1 and is aimed at academic and professional use.

LanguageCert Academic

About two and a half hours, at a centre or online with live proctoring, scored 0–100 on the LanguageCert Global Scale. Speaking is a separate component taken the same day or within 14 days. Results come within 5 business days and do not expire.

How to choose

1. Start from the requirement

   Find the English requirement on your university or visa page and note exactly which tests it names. A test that is not listed is not an option, however good it is.

2. Check the minimums

   Note the overall score and any minimum for each skill. Many programmes set both.

3. Work back from your deadline

   Allow for booking, results and a possible retake. A test you can take this week with results in two days is very different from one with a six-week wait.

4. Compare cost and travel

   Add the fee, any extras and travel to a centre, and compare that total.

5. Pick the format that suits you

   Some people do better with a human examiner, others at home on a computer. If two tests are accepted, choose the one you will perform best on.

6. Practise in the real format

   Whichever you choose, practise under the real timers before test day.

Where the Duolingo English Test fits

If your university accepts it, the DET is usually the quickest and cheapest route: about an hour, at home, results within two days, for $70. Check acceptance first in our list of universities that accept the Duolingo English Test, then see how you would score with a full mock test: all 13 question types, the real timers and a score on all eight subscores. For the question types one by one, see the DET question type guides, such as Read and Complete and Interactive Listening.

Sources

All read on 26 October 2026. Owners change prices and rules, so check these pages before you book.

• TOEFL iBT: test content, scores, score scale update, fees, fees in India, FAQ (ETS)
• IELTS: IELTS Academic, scoring, ways to take IELTS, IELTS and the CEFR, One Skill Retake, fee in India (IDP)
• PTE Academic: PTE Academic, scoring, centres and fees, retake policy (Pearson)
• Cambridge C1 Advanced: format, results, ways to take the exam (Cambridge University Press & Assessment)
• Oxford Test of English: test takers, Advanced, test regulations (Oxford University Press)
• LanguageCert Academic: FAQ, test and prices, results
• Duolingo English Test: for test takers, test structure (Duolingo)

Questions people ask

What are the main English proficiency tests?

For university admission the main ones are IELTS Academic, TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, the Duolingo English Test, Cambridge C1 Advanced, the Oxford Test of English and LanguageCert Academic. Universities each publish their own list of accepted tests, so the right one for you is the one named on your university or visa page.

Can I take an English proficiency test online at home?

Yes, several. The Duolingo English Test is taken only at home. TOEFL iBT has a Home Edition with a live proctor, IELTS Online is available for Academic in some countries, and LanguageCert Academic can be taken online. PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the Oxford Test of English are taken at test centres only.

Which English proficiency test is the easiest?

None is clearly easier: each is aligned to the CEFR, so in principle the same level of English should earn the same CEFR level on any of them. What differs is the experience. The DET is shortest at about an hour, some tests use a human speaking examiner, and some are fully on computer. Pick the format you perform best in.

Which English proficiency test is the shortest?

The Duolingo English Test, at about one hour. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and the Oxford Test of English take about two hours, LanguageCert Academic about two and a half, IELTS Academic 2 hours 45 minutes, and Cambridge C1 Advanced about four hours across its four papers. These times are as published by each owner on 26 October 2026.

Which English proficiency tests never expire?

Cambridge English certificates, the Oxford Test of English and LanguageCert results have no expiry date. TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic and the Duolingo English Test are valid for 2 years, and IELTS recommends 2 years. In practice many universities still ask for a result from the last two years whatever the test says, so check the admissions page.

How much do English proficiency tests cost?

On the official sites on 26 October 2026: in the US, TOEFL iBT US$280, PTE Academic US$275 and IELTS Academic US$325 at the centres we checked; the Duolingo English Test is US$70. In India: TOEFL ₹15,729, LanguageCert ₹15,915 online, PTE ₹18,900 and IELTS ₹19,000. Cambridge and Oxford fees are set by each centre.

What is PTE Academic?

PTE Academic is Pearson’s computer-based English test. It is taken on computer at a test centre in about two hours, in three parts: Speaking and Writing, Reading, then Listening. It is scored from 10 to 90, results usually arrive within two business days, and scores are valid for two years.

Can I take PTE Academic at home?

No. Pearson says PTE Academic cannot be taken at home; you sit it at one of more than 500 Pearson test centres, which include 57 in India and 88 in the US. If you need an at-home test, the Duolingo English Test, TOEFL iBT Home Edition and LanguageCert Academic online are the options to check.

What is LanguageCert Academic?

LanguageCert Academic is an English test for university admission, taken at a test centre or online with live proctoring. It takes about 2 hours 34 minutes, with Speaking as a separate part on the same day or within 14 days. Scores run from 0 to 100, results come within five business days, and they do not expire.

What is the Oxford Test of English?

The Oxford Test of English is Oxford University Press’s computer-based English test, taken at Approved Test Centres. You can take all four modules or just the ones you need. The standard test covers A2 to B2 in about two hours; the Advanced version certifies B2 and C1 for academic and professional use. Certificates are valid for life.

What is Cambridge C1 Advanced?

C1 Advanced is a Cambridge English Qualification at C1 level, with four papers: Reading and Use of English, Writing, Listening, and a face-to-face Speaking test, about four hours in total. Results are on the Cambridge English Scale, where 180–199 is C1 and 200–210 is C2. The certificate does not expire, though institutions decide what they accept.

Does IELTS have a one skill retake?

Yes. The IELTS One Skill Retake lets you resit one section, such as Writing, within 60 days of a full IELTS test taken on computer, at centres that offer it. You can use it once per test, results take 3 to 5 days, and the price is set locally: ₹12,650 in India through IDP when we checked.

How soon can I retake an English proficiency test?

It depends on the test. TOEFL iBT allows a retake as often as you like, but not twice within three days. PTE Academic lets you book again once you have your scores. The DET allows three tests in any 30 days. Oxford allows two sittings in eight weeks, and LanguageCert asks for a 90-day wait after three attempts.

How fast are results for PTE, Cambridge, Oxford and LanguageCert?

PTE Academic results usually arrive within two business days, and at most five. LanguageCert Academic gives results within five business days. The Oxford Test of English gives Reading and Listening the same day and Speaking and Writing within five working days. Cambridge C1 Advanced takes 5–10 working days on computer and 4–6 weeks on paper.

What score is C1 on each English proficiency test?

By each owner’s own alignment: Duolingo English Test 130–150, TOEFL iBT 5–5.5 on the new scale, Cambridge English Scale 180–199, LanguageCert Academic 75–89 and Oxford Test of English Advanced 141–170. IELTS says C1 starts between bands 6.5 and 7. Pearson publishes PTE’s alignment as a chart rather than exact cut-offs.

What is the difference between an English proficiency test and an English level test?

A proficiency test such as IELTS, TOEFL or the DET is proctored, and its certified result is what universities and visa offices accept. A level test, like our English level test, gives you a quick estimate for your own planning. Use a level test to choose where to start, and a proficiency test when an institution asks for proof.

Do all universities accept every English proficiency test?

No. Each university and each visa route publishes its own list, and some accept only certain versions, such as IELTS for UKVI or LanguageCert’s Academic SELT for some UK visas. Before booking, check the exact test name, the minimum overall score, any minimum for each skill, and how recent the result must be.

Quick reference: English Proficiency Tests Compared at a glance

Walk into the DET already knowing the room.

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