The Top English Proficiency Tests for Study Abroad Aspirants

Uninxt Team
Jun 16
3 min read

Application season is here. We are guessing that this is probably one of the most stressful times in your life, especially if you are a student hoping to study overseas. Picking one country amongst a hundred others and narrowing down on a few potential universities that you’d like to attend is a grueling task as it is. And then there are the mandatory English Proficiency Tests. Oops, has reading this gotten your nerves racked already? It does not have to be this way. Before you crash numerous websites attempting to piece together some information on these tests, we’d like to stop you right there. You don't have to look any further. Here is everything you need to know about the most common English Proficiency Tests.

If you are an Indian student planning to study abroad, your English proficiency is an important box on your checklist. To test this, universities across the globe mandate that you attempt a standardized English Proficiency Test. The most commonly accepted tests are the IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, and the Duolingo English Test. Remember that your score in these tests can be decisive in determining the next step of your dream to study abroad. Make sure to make the right choices! Here is a quick analysis of the various tests to help find the right one for you.

International English Language Testing System(IELTS): The IELTS is the most common English Proficiency test taken by lakhs of students every year. Students can undertake either the computer-based or the paper-based IELTS at several dedicated test centers across the country. The duration of the test in 1 hour. IELTS, although high-priced (about 17,000 INR) in comparison to other exams, is a common choice for many aspirants. However, many believe that the fee is within reason given its recognition in popular educational destinations such as the UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia and the USA.
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language): The TOEFL is also one of the most common tests that students attempt every year. The TOEFL is an internet-based test and costs about 16,000 INR. The duration of the test is about 2 hours. The TOEFL is also accepted in a number of countries such as Canada and USA among others.
PTE (Pearson Test of English): The PTE is a moderately designed proficiency test with a duration of about 3 hours. There are about 69 test centers available in most major cities in India. The fee for the PTE is about 13000 INR and is accepted in countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand.
Duolingo English Test(DET): The Duolingo English Test hosted by the popular language learning service Duolingo is an entirely online and relatively easier English proficiency test to take. The test-taker is able to access their scores within 2 days of completion. Despite its convenience, the DET is only accepted by about 5,000 universities in the US, UK and Canada.

While you're at it, here are a few very simple but often overlooked tips that will help you prepare for your English Proficiency Test:

Read, read, read: You’ve probably been advised by the elders in your family to read the newspaper. While reading the newspaper is evidently helpful to improve your vocabulary, we’d ask you to just read anything you like! This will help you make reading feel less like a chore.
Record yourself speaking: There are several apps available for you to record yourself speaking in English and receive feedback from an expert. With time, speaking to yourself inside your bedroom turns into recitation. Make it a point to speak with others!
Fake it till you make it: If exam halls make you anxious, you may benefit from practicing mock tests in conditions similar to the day of your test. Find a quiet room, maybe even a friend or two who would pretend to take an exam with you. They are clearly the real ones!

We know that picking the right English proficiency test is not easy. We know that for you, it depends on several things, even things like your budget and test durations. Despite individual limitations, we know that with the right guidance, any student will be able to succeed in a test of their choice.

We are committed to helping more students live out their overseas dreams. For more personal guidance on English Proficiency Tests and studying abroad, book a session with us today. Please call us at +9196540 23759 or send an email to info@uninxt.com