Proficiency
tests
Introduction
When you first find out about having to sit an
English proficiency test and begin exploring all
your options, it’s natural to have a lot of
questions.
Is one of the tests easier than the rest? Which
tests can be taken on a computer? Which ones
deliver fast results?
Most popular tests
The most popular English proficiency
tests are IELTS, TOEFL, TOEIC,
CELPIP, DET and the Cambridge English
Qualifications of KET, PET, FCE, CAE
and CPE.
IELTS
IELTS stands for International English Language
Testing System, and it is designed to assess the
language ability of people who want to study or
work where English is the language of
communication. Recognised by over 11,500
organisations worldwide, it is the world’s most
popular English language proficiency test for
higher education and global migration.
IELTS
The test has four
sections: Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking.
Each of these sections generates an individual
score, which is subsequently used to award an
overall score. Results are reported as band scores
on a scale from 1 (the lowest) to 9 (the highest).
IELTS scores are valid for a period of two years
from the date of your test.
TOEFL
TOEFL is an acronym for Test of English as a Foreign
Language. It is the most prominent American English
proficiency test and is accepted worldwide by
universities and institutions. he language used in the test
closely reflects how English is used in everyday academic
settings, and the test content is entirely academic, with
integrated tasks. Just as IELTS, this test also evaluates
the four basic language skills of listening, reading,
writing and speaking.
TOEFL
Currently, the TOEFL iBT test can be taken
in three different ways: at a test centre,
at home and on paper. Each section of the
TOEFL test has a score range of 0 to 30,
so the maximum score that you can achieve
is 120. Your scores are valid for 2 years.
Cambridge English
These English proficiency tests have been developed by
Cambridge English, a department of Cambridge
University. They are recognised around the world by
thousands of employers, universities and government
ministries as proof of ability to use English. One unique
aspect of these English proficiency tests is that the
test results do not have an expiry date, which means
that these qualifications are valid for life.
KET
KET (Key English Test): this
is an elementary level exam
that tests your ability to use
English to communicate in
simple situations.
PET
PET (Preliminary English Test):
this test is at the intermediate
level. If you have practical
language skills for everyday use,
PET will suit you.
FCE
FCE (First Certificate of English): this
test can prove that you have the
language skills to live and work
independently in an English-speaking
country or study on courses taught in
English.
CAE
CAE (Certificate in Advanced
English): It is an in-depth, high-level
qualification that shows you have
the language skills that employers
and universities are looking for.
CPE
CPE (Certificate of Proficiency in
English): this is the highest-level
qualification offered by Cambridge
English. It proves you can communicate
with the fluency and sophistication of a
highly competent English speaker.
DET
The Duolingo English Test is an English proficiency assessment
used to evaluate your ability to read, write, speak, and listen
to English. As you progress through this computer-adaptive
test, the question difficulty increases or decreases based on
your answers to previous questions. In addition to multiple-
choice questions, you answer open-ended questions to assess
your spoken and written English skills. The computer grades all
of the questions you answer. You also have an opportunity to
record a video interview and writing sample.
DET
The Duolingo English Test takes about one hour to
complete. It’s broken down into three segments:
Introduction and setup (five minutes)
Adaptive test (45 minutes)
Video interview (10 minutes)
You'll receive your results within 48 hours, and those
results remain valid for two years.
Comparison
Comparison
Costs
The Duolingo English Test costs $49 plus applicable
taxes, as of June 2023, and you can send your scores
to up to 40 institutions for no extra cost. The TOEFL
test, by comparison, can cost around $240, depending
on your testing location, plus $25 per additional score
report you’d like to send. IELTS, meanwhile, charges
more than $225 for their exam, depending on your
location.
