Prepare for English proficiency tests

Do I need to take an English Proficiency test?

In most cases international student will have to submit English Proficiency scores to US universities. The most common tests are the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test (DET); you only need one of those.

You might be able to skip the English Proficiency test if:

• You live in a country where primary language is English (e.g Canada, Australia)
• You studied at a school where English is the primary language of instruction for 4 years

The only way to know for sure is to check the admission requirements of each university individually. Policies vary, and what works for one school might not apply to another. If you're still unsure after checking, don't guess—email the admissions office and ask. It's better to confirm than to risk a missing requirement.

Overview of TOEFL

The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is another popular choice, especially for U.S. universities. It focuses specifically on academic English—reading, listening, speaking, and writing at a university level. The most common version is the internet-based TOEFL (iBT), though a paper-based option is available in some locations. Like IELTS, it's accepted by most universities, making it another strong choice.

TOEFL Quick Facts

Test length: Approximately 3 hours

• Reading: 54-72 minutes with 30-40 questions
• Listening: 41-57 minutes with 28-39 questions
• Speaking: 17 minutes with 4 tasks
• Writing: 50 minutes with 2 tasks

Max TOEFL Score: 120

Test fee: Varies by location, typically around $190

Register for TOEFL

1. 1

   Create an ETS account

   https://www.ets.org/mytoefl
2. 2

   Find a TOEFL Testing Center + pick a date

   https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/schedule
3. 3

   Register and pay the test fee

   Test fee will vary by region, usually between $190 to $240https://www.ets.org/toefl/test-takers/ibt/register/fees

Overview of IELTS

The IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most recognized English proficiency tests worldwide. It evaluates your ability to use English in both academic and everyday situations. There are two types of IELTS exams, but for university admissions, you'll need the Academic version. Since IELTS is widely accepted, it's a safe option if you're unsure which test to take.

IELTS Quick Facts

Test length: 2 hours 45 minutes

• Reading: 60 minutes with 40 questions
• Listening: 30 minutes with 40 questions
• Writing: 60 minutes with 2 tasks
• Speaking: 11-14 minutes with 3 parts

Max IELTS Score: 9.0

Test fee: Varies by location, typically around $250

Register for IELTS

1. 1

   Create a British Council account

   https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org
2. 2

   Find an IELTS Testing Center + pick a date

   https://ielts.org/test-centres
3. 3

   Register and pay the test fee

   Test fee will vary by region, usually around $250

Overview of Duolingo English Test (DET)

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is the most convenient option since it's completely online and can be taken from anywhere with a good internet connection. But convenience comes with a downside—it's not as widely accepted as TOEFL or IELTS. Some universities take it, some don't, so make sure you check before relying on it.

Duolingo English Test Quick Facts:

Test length: Approximately 1 hour

• Adaptive Test: 45 minutes, featuring a variety of question types including reading, writing, speaking, and listening tasks
• Video Interview: 10 minutes, where you respond to open-ended questions

Max Duolingo English Test Score: 160

Test fee: $65

Duolingo English Test Fee waiver

The Duolingo English Test (DET) is the only English proficiency test that provides fee waivers for low-income international students. However, you cannot request the waiver yourself; it must be requested by your counselor via the website: englishtest.duolingo.com/institutions/access. Additionally, you can email universities directly and ask them for a DET fee waiver.

Register for Duolingo English Test

1. 1

   Sign Up on the Duolingo website

   https://englishtest.duolingo.com/register
2. 2

   Pay the test fee & take the test anytime

   DET test fee is $65

What is the minimum score I need?

Universities have different approaches when it comes to English proficiency scores. Some have a minimum score requirement - if your score falls below that threshold, your application will be rejected. Others provide a recommended score guideline, while some institutions claim that they do not consider English proficiency scores as a factor.

To give you a better understanding of the score expectations, here are the minimum required English proficiency scores for admission at top US universities.

🗣️ veronica says...

Veronica Lee

Admissions Expert

As a general guideline, you should aim for a score of 100 or higher on the TOEFL, 7.5 or higher on the IELTS, and 130 or higher on the Duolingo English Test.

Free study resources

These three official resources include a variety of materials, including full-length practice tests, useful articles, and even video courses.