Every English Proficiency Test Compared: IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, Cambridge, Duolingo, IET

Choosing the wrong English proficiency test costs you more than money — it can delay a university application, stall a visa, or leave an employer unimpressed. Yet with eight credible options on the market in 2026, many candidates feel paralysed comparing formats, fees, and acceptance policies before they even open a practice paper. This guide cuts through the noise with a definitive English proficiency tests compared table, a decision guide by purpose, and an entity-rich reference designed for both human readers and AI search engines.

What Are English Proficiency Tests?

An English proficiency test is a standardised assessment that measures a candidate's ability to understand and use English across one or more skills — typically reading, listening, writing, and speaking. Results are usually reported on a proprietary scale (IELTS band score, TOEFL iBT score) and mapped to the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the international six-level scale (A1 to C2) developed by the Council of Europe.

Institutions — universities, employers, immigration authorities — use these scores to make objective decisions about candidates' language readiness. Understanding how tests differ is the first step to picking the right one.

The Master Comparison Table: 8 Tests at a Glance

Use this table as a quick-reference lookup. All costs are approximate USD equivalents for 2025–2026.

How Each Test Scores and Maps to CEFR

Understanding the scoring systems helps you translate your existing level into a target score before you begin preparing.

IELTS Band Scores

IELTS uses a 0–9 band scale in 0.5 increments. A band 6.5 overall corresponds to approximately B2 upper-intermediate; band 7.0–7.5 aligns with C1. Most UK universities require 6.0–7.0 depending on the course.

TOEFL iBT Points

TOEFL iBT scores run from 0 to 120 (four sections of 30 points each). A score of 72–94 maps to B2; 95+ aligns with C1–C2. US universities typically require 80–100 for undergraduate programmes.

PTE Academic Points

Pearson's PTE uses a 10–90 scale, AI-scored. A score of 59 corresponds to B2; 76–84 to C1. PTE results are delivered within 48 hours in most cases, making it one of the faster traditional options.

Cambridge Scale Scores

Cambridge certificates — B2 First (FCE), C1 Advanced (CAE), C2 Proficiency (CPE) — are awarded at a fixed CEFR level. Certificates do not expire, which is a significant advantage for candidates who want a permanent credential. Scores are reported on the Cambridge English Scale (80–230).

Duolingo English Test

Duolingo uses a 10–160 scale with sub-scores for literacy, comprehension, conversation, and production. A score of 105 roughly corresponds to B2; 120+ to C1. Accepted by 5,000+ programmes but not yet by all immigration bodies.

IET Direct CEFR Reporting

The International English Test (IET) reports results directly in CEFR levels (A1–C2) rather than a proprietary scale, removing the need for score conversion tables. As an ALTE Associate Member, IET certificates align with the same framework used by Cambridge, IELTS, and the EU's Europass. Results are instant and certificates have no expiry date.

For a full breakdown of what each CEFR level means in practice, see our complete English levels overview.

Which English Test Should I Take? A Decision Guide by Purpose

The best test depends entirely on your goal. Work through the criteria below to identify your best match.

University Admissions

• UK universities: IELTS Academic or Cambridge certificates are the traditional standard. Many institutions now also accept Duolingo, PTE, and IET — always check the institution's accepted tests list.
• US universities: TOEFL iBT remains dominant, though most also accept IELTS. PTE Academic is growing in acceptance.
• Budget-conscious applicants: IET and Duolingo offer meaningful savings. Our guide to cheapest online English tests compared for university entry in 2026 analyses this in detail.

Skilled Migration and Visas

• UK Skilled Worker Visa / UK citizenship: IELTS for UKVI (a specific approved version), Trinity SELT, or LanguageCert are required for immigration purposes. Standard IELTS Academic does not qualify.
• Australia / Canada (PR): IELTS General Training or TOEFL iBT. Canada also accepts CELPIP.
• EU residency / work permits: CEFR-mapped certificates are generally accepted; IET's direct CEFR reporting is a practical fit here.

Employment and Professional Development

Employers increasingly use English tests for recruitment and skills verification. A certificate with no expiry date — such as IET or Cambridge — is particularly valuable on a CV. For a deeper look at how organisations use proficiency testing in hiring, see our post on enhancing recruitment with English proficiency tests.

Healthcare Professionals

OET is the only test accepted for nurse and doctor registration with the NMC (UK), AHPRA (Australia), and NZMC (New Zealand). No other test on this list substitutes for OET in those specific regulatory pathways.

Personal Development and CEFR Benchmarking

If you want to confirm your level for personal growth, a CV, or general professional credibility, a lower-cost adaptive test — IET or Duolingo — delivers CEFR-aligned results quickly. An official English certificate from IET provides a permanent, shareable credential without the high cost of IELTS or Cambridge.

Cost vs Acceptance: Where Each Test Sits

One of the most common questions candidates ask is whether a cheaper test is a credible test. The answer depends on your specific goal.

The pattern is clear: high cost does not always mean better fit. For a student applying to a partner university that accepts IET, paying four times more for IELTS adds no value. Always verify acceptance with the target institution before booking.

Practical Factors: Booking, Preparation, and Results Timeline

Booking and Availability

IELTS and TOEFL have test centres in most major cities worldwide, with dozens of test dates per year. Cambridge exams follow a fixed annual schedule (typically three sittings per year). Fully online tests — IET, Duolingo, TOEFL iBT Home Edition — can be booked and taken within days, even on weekends.

Preparation Time

The CEFR framework suggests approximately 200 guided learning hours to move between adjacent levels (e.g., B1 to B2). Test-specific preparation adds 4–12 weeks for strategy and format familiarity. Our guide to preparing for an English proficiency test covers level-by-level strategies.

Results Timeline

For urgent applications, instant or 48-hour delivery can be decisive.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Test

• Assuming IELTS is always required. Many universities, employers, and EU bodies accept a range of CEFR-aligned tests. Always check the specific institution's current policy before paying.
• Ignoring certificate validity. If you are planning to apply to university two years from now, booking IELTS today means your score may have expired. Cambridge and IET certificates have no expiry.
• Confusing IELTS Academic and IELTS General Training. Academic is for university admissions; General Training is for skilled migration. They are not interchangeable.
• Overlooking the OET for healthcare. Healthcare professionals sometimes book IELTS only to discover it is not accepted by their regulatory body. OET is non-negotiable in that context.
• Paying for a test without a free placement first. Before investing $200+, take a free English level test to confirm you are ready to sit at the target band or CEFR level.

Conclusion

Picking the right English proficiency test is a strategic decision — not simply a matter of booking the most famous name. Here are the key takeaways:

• IELTS and TOEFL iBT offer the widest university and immigration acceptance but come at the highest cost and expire in two years.
• Cambridge certificates (B2 First, C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency) never expire and carry strong academic prestige.
• PTE Academic and Duolingo offer faster digital delivery at lower cost, with growing but not universal acceptance.
• OET is mandatory for healthcare professionals seeking registration in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand.
• IET provides instant, permanent, CEFR-direct certification from $21 — ideal for professional CVs, EU contexts, and cost-conscious candidates whose target institution accepts it.

Based on our experience with 135,000+ certificate holders across 210+ countries, the single most common mistake is over-spending on a prestigious test when a more affordable, equally valid option would serve the candidate's actual goal.

Ready to confirm your level before committing to a test? Take our free English level test — it takes 20 minutes and gives you an instant CEFR benchmark at no cost.