Imagine a river that slowly carved its way across continents, shaping how each country benefits from the resources it brought. The evolution of English as a lingua franca resonates with the given analogy because English has transformed international education, migration, and business over the last century. English was known only to the United Kingdom and the United States in the 20th century. However, by the 1950s, the need for a universal language in global platforms for trade, diplomacy, and academia became noticeable. Therefore, necessity became the mother of invention and led to the development of various English proficiency exams like TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, PTE, SELT, and GRE. The reason for these standardized proficiency exams is to empower non-native speakers to thrive in the ever-expanding global marketplace.

Discover the top English proficiency exams as we guide you through a detailed explanation of all the exams. Read till the last paragraph and seize the discounted vouchers through the given link.

TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Since its inception in 1964, TOEFL has undergone many changes stirred by the changing demands of time. It is widely accepted by thousands of universities, colleges, and scholarship programs, especially in the United States and Canada to evaluate a candidate’s ability to understand and use English in academic contexts. There are two ways to take the test to ensure the test takers can choose the best option that fits their specific requirements. You can take a test at a Test center if you are inclined to a traditional environment, or, you can take a Test at home online by a human proctor.

Who Needs It?

TOEFL helps students planning to study in English-speaking countries. It also benefits individuals applying for scholarships, professional programs, or even immigration purposes.

Why Choose TOEFL?

• Globally recognized
• Reliable academic English assessment
• Widely accepted in the U.S., Canada, and beyond

PTE (Pearson Test of English)

With Flexibility and speed as the prominent features, PTE, established in 2009, has gained quick popularity backed by the booming opportunities to travel and study abroad post-pandemic. The computer-based test assesses real-life English communication skills (speaking, listening, reading, and writing) with fast-track results within 48 hours. The PTE score is accepted by 3500+ universities and colleges globally for study, and in Australia and New Zealand for work and migration visas, and various professional bodies for registration.

Format:

PTE Academic consists of three main parts:

• Speaking and Writing (54–67 minutes to complete)
• Reading (30 minutes to complete)
• Listening (30 minutes to complete)

Duration: 2 hours+

Score: 10-90

The adaptive nature of the test ensures the accurate measurement of the candidate’s international English language skills rather than just reserving for native fluency.

Who Needs It?

PTE is for individuals looking for universities and colleges in Australia, the UK, and Canada. The immigration authorities of several countries, including Australia and New Zealand, accept PTE scores for visa applications.

Why Choose PTE?

• Fast results (within 48 hours)
• Flexibility of test dates and locations
• Multipurpose use for academic and immigration purposes

Secure English Language Test (SELT)

SELT is a test developed in partnership between the Scottish Qualification Authority (SQA) and PSI (a global leader in workforce solutions for over 70 years) to assess English proficiency for work, study, travel, and residency purposes. They administer 22 million assessments annually across 160 countries. The test is available in a single computer-based session at UKVI-approved test centers outside the UK. The PSI-SFE test is gaining credibility increasingly, particularly in the context of skilled migration programs and professional assessments. SELT is simple, quick, and affordable, enabling the process of organizing your test and achieving your English language testing goal as intuitive and straightforward as possible.

Format:

The test consists of reading, listening, speaking, and writing. Reading and listening are automatically marked during the test session while speaking and writing are recorded digitally during the test session but marked by trained assessors after you finish the test. The test duration differs based on your levels. You may visit their official page for more information.

Who Needs It?

The SELT (Secure English Language Test) is especially required for UK Visas and Immigration for work, study, and spousal visas. The Ireland Government’s Department of Justice has also approved the test for study visa applications. At present, Skills for English is accepted by over 140 institutions in the UK, and hundreds across the world. You may check which universities or countries accept SFE before taking the test.

Why Choose SELT?

• Approved by UK government
• Accurate assessment of listening, reading, writing, and speaking in English
• Emphasis on real-life communication and professional fluency

Duolingo English Test

Established in 2016, Duolingo is a perfect choice for individuals looking for a more flexible, modern, and affordable option. It has disrupted traditional testing by offering tests online that can be taken from the comfort of your home. The simplicity and convenience of the test have become a popular choice for many.

Format:

The test is created to assess real-world English Communication. It can be completed in an hour and covers reading, writing, speaking, and listening. Results are delivered within 48 hours.

• Introduction and onboarding - 5 minutes
• Adaptive test - 45 minutes
• Writing Sample and Speaking Sample - 10 minutes

Who Needs It?

Individuals looking for an affordable test with fast-track results to demonstrate English proficiency are ideal because the test score is accepted by over 4,000 institutions globally.

Why Choose Duolingo?

• Short and Simple
• Accessible and affordable
• Quick results
• Convenient, because it can be taken from home.

GRE (Graduate Record Examinations)

The GRE is essentially for students looking for graduate school admissions, particularly in the United States. The test consists of reasoning skills, general knowledge, and verbal reasoning. Verbal reasoning is added to the test to assess English Language proficiency at an advanced level.

Format:

Divided into five Sections, the Analytical Writing section will always be first followed by any order.

• The Analytical Writing section: 30 minutes
• Verbal Reasoning, divided into two sections: 18+23 minutes
• Quantitative Reasoning, divided into two sections: 21+26 minutes
• Total Duration: 1 hour and 58 minutes

Who Needs It?

Graduate students who want to pursue engineering, business, and science require the GRE to get admission, especially in the U.S. Many business schools prefer the GRE scores over the GMAT.

Why Choose GRE?

• Open doors to different graduate programs, especially in the U.S
• Assess academic-level proficiency in English
• Offers opportunities for scholarships and graduate research

CELPIP (Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program)

The CELPIP is a computer-delivered, single North American Accent, and quick and online result test. It is a leading general English test for immigration, citizenship, professional designation, and admission to universities, colleges, and vocational programs. CELPIP is a single 3-hour test sitting with no separate speaking session. It is an IRCC-approved test for permanent residency applications.

Format:

• Listening: Listen to passages and answer questions (47–55 minutes)
• Reading: Read passages and answer questions (55–60 minutes)
• Writing: Respond to questions with written answers (53–60 minutes)
• Speaking: Reply to on-screen prompts verbally (15–20 minutes)

Who Needs It?

Individuals seeking better opportunities in Canada for immigration, citizenship, professional designation, and admission to universities, colleges, and vocational programs.

Why Choose CELPIP?

• Computer-based test which is easy and convenient to take the test
• Country-specific (Canada) eliminating unnecessary hassle
• Accepted by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC)

Conclusion

English language proficiency becomes a prominent requirement whether you are looking for work, study, or migrate abroad. Given that there are various exams, the choice of exams depends on your goals and your country's preference to study or work. Choose one of the exams that aligns with your goal. Seize the opportunity to ace your exam using our discounted exam vouchers so you can save money and allocate your saved amount for important personal or professional needs.

Prepare and take tests with the motive of learning English not just for scoring the test. The test opens doors to fulfilling your dreams professionally, educationally, and personally. Ensure that you understand the specific requirements of your destination and invest in the exam accordingly. Check whether the universities you are applying to accept the test scores you choose to take.

Step closer to achieving your dreams on the global stage. All the best for your exam!