Prominent English Proficiency Tests: An Overview
If you want to study abroad, specifically in an English-speaking nation like the US, UK, Australia, Canada, or New Zealand—or even in a nation like Malaysia, the UAE, or France where English is not the first official language—a there’s a good chance you will need to take an English proficiency test first.
Depending on the needs of the institution, the majority of higher education institutions generally prefer certain English proficiency tests, or all of them. If you want to pass an English language proficiency test and receive the required score as specified by your institution of choice, just like other forms of assessment tests, you must prepare for it.
The most well-known English proficiency exams are listed here. Many universities demand these of prospective overseas students.
IELTS Academic: International English Language Testing System
More than 10,000 HEIs, governments, and businesses worldwide recognise the IELTS Academic exam, which can be taken by people who desire to study or work abroad.
There are four areas of the test, which are: Listening, Reading, Writing, & Speaking. The entire exam might last three hours. The test is graded on a scale of 0 to 9 and is valid for two years after the test date.
IELTS is accepted in all English-speaking nations, including those where English is not the official language, including Australia, New Zealand, the US, the UK, Canada, and Ireland.
Methods of Taking Them
Both paper-based and computer-based IELTS tests are available. You must complete reading, listening, and writing assessments online for the IELTS test. The speaking portion, like the IELTS paper, must be done face to face.
Cost
The cost of taking the IELTS exam varies by nation and there is no fixed fee.
The English language proficiency test (TOEFL)
The TOEFL may be the most well-known and often Commonly English proficiency test at academic institutions in English-speaking nations. More than 11,000 HEIs from more than 150 countries accept TOEFL scores internationally.
Passing this exam gives admissions officers assurance that the applicants are ready for university and beyond. Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing make up the four sections of the test. It uses a scale of 0–120 for the whole test and 0–30 for each section. The test may last for around three hours. It is valid for two years after the test is taken.
Methods of Taking Them
TOEFL is usually conducted via the internet (TOEFL iBT). On the other hand, it can be taken on paper if the TOEFL test facility has a spotty or nonexistent internet connection.
Costs
TOEFL iBT may vary by location.
Academic Pearson English Test (PTE)
Thousands of HEIs and governments around the world recognise PTE Academic. It takes great satisfaction in conducting tests in an objective manner. The PTE contains just three sections: Speaking & Writing, Reading, and Listening, unlike other English proficiency exams like the IELTS and TOEFL. It may take around three hours to finish. PTE Academic scores are valid for up to two years after the test.
PTE uses the Global Scale of English, and the scores range from 10–90.
Methods of Taking Them
The scores on the PTE are based on the Global Scale of English and range from 10-90.
PTE is only accessible through a computer.
Cost
The cost may vary by nation, just as the costs of the other exams.
The TOEIC, Cambridge English Qualifications, Integrated Skills in English Exams (ISE), Business English Certificate (BEC), and Duolingo English Test are additional English proficiency tests that are not covered in this blog. Despite their less popularity, several HEIs around the world still accept them.
Reading the blogs on KoursesAbroad can help you prepare for useful assessments and language proficiency exams.
