All three tests are widely accepted — but they suit different students. Here is how to pick the one that gets you your score fastest.
Choosing an English proficiency test is one of the first real decisions in your study abroad journey. Pick the right one and you clear the requirement in a single attempt. Pick the wrong one and you can lose two months and a test fee.
Here is how the three main options compare.
IELTS Academic
IELTS is accepted by over 11,000 institutions in more than 140 countries, including universities, employers and immigration authorities. It tests Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
- Typical requirement: overall band 6.0 – 7.5
- Section minimum: often no band below 5.5 or 6.0
- Speaking format: face-to-face with a human examiner
Choose IELTS if you are applying to the UK, Australia, Canada or New Zealand, or if you are more comfortable speaking to a person than to a computer.
TOEFL iBT
TOEFL measures your ability to use and understand English in an academic setting through Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing. It is accepted by more than 12,000 institutions across 160+ countries.
- Typical requirement: 70 – 100 out of 120
- Format: internet-based test, computer delivered
- Task style: closely mirrors real academic work — lectures, scholarly texts, essays
Choose TOEFL if the USA is your primary destination, or if your reading and listening are stronger than your conversational speaking.
PTE Academic
PTE evaluates Speaking, Writing, Reading and Listening in a single computer-based test with AI-based scoring.
- Typical requirement: 50 – 65; top-ranking institutions may want 65 – 79
- Results: usually in 2 – 3 days
- Format: fully computer-based, integrated skills
Choose PTE if you are short on time, you want flexible test dates, or you prefer an objective, AI-scored test with no human examiner.
So which one?
| If you… | Take |
|---|---|
| Are applying to the UK, Australia or Canada | IELTS |
| Are applying mainly to the USA | TOEFL |
| Need results fast, or want AI scoring | PTE |
There is no "easier" test. There is only the test that suits how you perform under exam conditions.
Before you book
- Confirm the exact score your shortlisted universities require — including section minimums.
- Check whether your destination's visa route also sets a score requirement. In the UK, Australia and Canada it often does.
- Take one full-length mock of your chosen test before paying for the real thing.
Our counsellors help students pick the right test and build a preparation plan around their target score. Talk to us before you book your slot — it is a free conversation and it can save you an entire attempt.
