When planning to study, work, or settle abroad, proving your English proficiency or academic readiness is often a mandatory requirement. Globally recognized exams like IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, GMAT, ACT, and GRE serve different purposes, ranging from university admissions to visa applications. This comprehensive guide breaks down each test, its structure, who it’s meant for, and how it can support your academic or professional journey.
1. IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
IELTS is one of the most recognized English language proficiency tests worldwide. It’s accepted by thousands of institutions in countries like the UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand.
Types of IELTS:
IELTS Academic:
- Suitable for those applying for undergraduate or postgraduate studies or professional registration.
IELTS General Training:
- Ideal for those migrating to English-speaking countries or applying for secondary education or work experience.
Format:
The test includes four components, Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking, and takes approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes. The Listening and Speaking sections are the same for both test types, but the Reading and Writing tasks vary.
IELTS for UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI):
If you plan to live, work, or study in the UK, specific versions of IELTS are accepted by UK Visas and Immigration, including:
- IELTS for UKVI (Academic or General)
- IELTS Life Skills (A1, A2, B1)
These must be taken at designated UKVI test centers due to additional security measures.
Are you ready to test your skills?
2. PTE (Pearson Test of English)
PTE is a fully computer-based English proficiency test gaining popularity for its speed and fairness. It is accepted by thousands of institutions globally and by governments for visa and immigration purposes.
PTE Academic
- Designed for those aiming to study at university level or apply for visas (e.g., Australia, New Zealand).
- Assesses speaking, writing, reading, and listening in a 2-hour test at a certified center.
- Accepted by more than 3,500 universities and colleges around the world for studying purposes.
- Recognized by Australia and New Zealand for work and migration visas, and for professional registration.
- Widely accepted in the U.S., UK, Australia, and Canada.
PTE Academic UKVI
- Specifically approved for UK visa applications.
- Identical to PTE Academic, but includes a Unique Reference Number (URN) required for UK immigration processes.
PTE Core
- Meant for general immigration to Canada (permanent residency or citizenship).
- Focuses on everyday English and also takes just 2 hours.
- Accepted by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada).
3. TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language – Internet-Based Test)
TOEFL iBT is another popular English proficiency test, primarily used for academic purposes.
Test Format:
- Sections: Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing
- Entirely computer-based
- Focuses on academic English used in university settings
Who should take the TOEFL iBT?
- Students applying for higher education in the U.S., Canada, Australia, or Europe
- English proficiency proof for scholarship or visa applications
Advantages:
- Widely accepted in the U.S.
- Emphasis on integrated English skills, for example, reading a passage and responding verbally.
4. GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test)
GMAT is designed for students aiming to join graduate management programs, such as an MBA.
Test Structure:
- Quantitative Reasoning (21 questions, 45 mins)
- Verbal Reasoning (23 questions, 45 mins)
- Data Insights (20 questions, 45 mins)
- Total time: 2 hours 15 minutes, with an optional 10-minute break
Key Features:
- Question Review & Edit: Bookmark and revisit questions
- Flexible Section Order: Take sections in your preferred sequence
- Score Sending: Choose institutions to send scores after the test
- Fast results: Deliver within 1–3 days with a detailed performance breakdown
Ideal For:
- Aspiring business professionals and MBA candidates
- Applicants to business schools in the U.S., UK, Canada, and globally
Are you ready to test your skills?
5. GRE (Graduate Record Examination)
The GRE is a standard test required for graduate and business school admission across various disciplines, not just management.
Updated Test Format (Post September 2023):
- Analytical Writing: One task (30 mins)
- Verbal Reasoning: Two sections (27 questions total, 41 mins)
- Quantitative Reasoning: Two sections (27 questions total, 47 mins)
- Total Duration: About 1 hour 58 minutes
Features:
- Adaptive design: Difficulty level adjusts based on your performance
- Mark and review capabilities within sections
- On-screen calculator for math questions
- Option to skip and return to questions within each section
Who Should Take the GRE?
- Graduate school applicants in fields like the sciences, humanities, engineering, social sciences, etc.
- Those applying to institutions in the U.S., Canada, and many European countries
6. SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test)
The SAT is a standardized test widely used for undergraduate admissions in the United States and increasingly recognized by universities in Canada, Europe, and Asia.
Test Structure (as of the Digital SAT format):
- Reading and Writing: 54 questions – 64 minutes
- Math: 44 questions – 70 minutes
- Total Duration: Approximately 2 hours and 14 minutes
- The test is entirely digital, adaptive, and is taken on a computer or tablet provided at the test center.
Key Features:
- Focuses on skills needed for college success, including reading comprehension, grammar, and math (including algebra, geometry, and data analysis).
- A calculator is allowed during the math section.
- Scores range from 400 to 1600, combining Reading/Writing and Maths.
- Free practice available via College Board and Khan Academy.
Who Should Take the SAT?
- High school students applying for undergraduate programs, especially in the U.S.
- International students are aiming for scholarships or entry into globally competitive universities.
Advantages:
- Accepted by almost every U.S. college and many institutions worldwide.
- Option to send scores selectively to universities.
- Offers school-specific scholarships and college search tools through the College Board.
Are you ready to test your skills?
7. ACT (American College Testing)
Purpose:
The ACT is an alternative to the SAT and is widely accepted for undergraduate admissions in the United States, and increasingly in Canada, Europe, and Singapore. Some U.S. universities even consider the ACT more favourably for students with a strong science background.
Format:
- English: 45 minutes, 75 questions
- Math: 60 minutes, 60 questions
- Reading: 35 minutes, 40 questions
- Science: 35 minutes, 40 questions
- Optional Writing (Essay): 40 minutes
- Total Duration: Around 3 hours 35 minutes with the essay, or 2 hours 55 minutes without it
Scoring:
- Each section is scored on a scale of 1–36
- The composite score is the average of the four mandatory sections
Why take the ACT?
- Accepted by all U.S. universities, including Ivy League schools
- Includes a Science section, which is not part of the SAT
- More straightforward question style, especially in Math
- Allows superscoring (mixing best section scores from multiple test dates) at many colleges
