When planning to study abroad, one of the first requirements students face is proving their English proficiency. And while there are many tests available today, IELTS still remains the most widely accepted and commonly preferred option across top countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
When planning to study abroad, one of the first requirements students face is proving their English proficiency. And while there are many tests available today, IELTS still remains the most widely accepted and commonly preferred option across top countries like the UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
But with new tests emerging — like TOEFL, Duolingo, LanguageCert, and PTE — choosing the right one can get confusing.
Here’s a simple breakdown to help students understand what each test offers, how difficult they are, and which countries accept them.
IELTS continues to be the global standard for English testing.
100% of UK, Australia, and New Zealand universities
Almost all U.S. universities
Most Canadian colleges and universities
European and Asian institutions
Government bodies for student visa, work visa, and PR
Real-life English assessment (not too technical or academic)
Recognised by immigration authorities across the world
Widest acceptance — safe option if students apply to multiple countries
Available in both computer-based and paper-based modes
Speaking test with a human examiner, making it more natural
IELTS is generally considered moderately difficult, and most of its challenge comes from managing time, understanding the format, and performing under pressure. The writing section is usually where students struggle the most because it requires clear grammar, organised paragraphs, logical arguments, and relevant examples. Since the time is limited, students must think, plan, and write quickly, which becomes stressful for many.
Writing is considered the toughest section for most test-takers because it requires clear structure, logical ideas, relevant examples, and accurate grammar within a short time. Students must plan, think, and write quickly, which can be overwhelming. Many lose marks due to unclear organisation or weak arguments, even if their language is good. Proper guidance and frequent timed practice are essential to improve performance.
The speaking section can feel intimidating for many students because it involves direct, face-to-face interaction with a real examiner. This often makes students nervous and affects their fluency. The examiner may also ask instant follow-up questions, which requires quick thinking and spontaneous responses. The focus here is on confidence, natural expression, and clarity rather than perfect grammar, which is why practising real conversations is more effective than memorising answers.
Listening requires high concentration because the recording is played only once. If a student misses one answer, the pressure often causes them to lose focus and miss several more. The test includes a variety of accents such as British, Australian, and Canadian, and unfamiliar accents can make comprehension harder. Students must read the questions in advance and predict possible answers to stay ahead while listening.
The reading section is challenging mainly due to long passages and strict timing. Students need strong skimming and scanning skills to locate information quickly instead of reading every word. Some question types like True/False/Not Given and Matching Headings can be confusing, and answering correctly requires attention to detail and keyword identification. Good time control is the key to scoring well here.
Overall
Good vocabulary
Clear writing
Accent familiarity
Regular timed practice
TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) is another major English test widely accepted, especially by institutions in the USA and Canada. It is designed to measure how well students can use English in real academic situations.
10,000+ universities, including top Ivy League schools
Entire USA and most of Canada
Also accepted in the UK, Europe, Australia & Asia
Popular for STEM, business, and research-focused programs
Reading
Listening
Speaking (recorded responses into a microphone)
Writing (integrated and independent tasks)
No face-to-face speaking interview — ideal for students who feel anxious in direct conversation
Academic-style testing similar to university coursework
Integrated tasks where students read, listen, and then speak or write — great for analytical thinkers
It includes long academic-style reading and listening passages
Integrated tasks require you to read + listen + write/speak in response
Speaking is recorded into a microphone
Time pressure requires quick thinking and fast typing
Duolingo became extremely popular after COVID because it is: Affordable, fully online, easy to schedule, and provides very quick results.
Duolingo allows students to listen to the audio twice, which reduces pressure, helps weaker listeners, and improves overall performance.
Widely accepted across USA universities
Accepted by many European and Asian universities
Some acceptance in the UK
NOT accepted for Canada student visas
Duolingo is relatively easier than IELTS because questions are short, adaptive, and there are no long essays or face-to-face speaking.
LanguageCert is one of the fastest-growing alternatives for English proficiency testing.
Quick scheduling
At-home test options
Stress-free format
More student-friendly listening
LanguageCert allows listening twice, which is a major benefit.
Strong acceptance among UK universities
Accepted in several European universities
Slowly growing worldwide
Not fully accepted in USA, Canada, or Australia for visa purposes
Easier than IELTS because questions are straightforward, speaking can be scheduled separately, and listening is more flexible.
PTE (Pearson Test of English) is now one of the most in-demand tests for students who prefer computer-based exams.
Entire exam is computer-based
No human examiner for speaking
AI checks your answers
Very fast results: 24–48 hours
No long reading passages like IELTS
Flexible dates and high availability
100% accepted in Australia (universities + student visa)
Fully accepted in the UK (including UKVI)
Accepted in New Zealand
Many universities in USA & Europe recognise it
Canada accepts it only for universities, not for student visas
PTE is moderate, but easier for students who type fast, feel nervous in face-to-face speaking, or are weak in grammar.
You want maximum global acceptance, you are applying to Canada, or you want a safe, widely trusted option.
You are comfortable with computer-based tests, prefer recorded speaking instead of interviews, or aim for USA or Canada.
You want a cheaper, faster option, target USA or Europe, or prefer listening twice.
You are applying mainly to UK universities or want flexible exam attempts.
You’re applying to UK, Australia, or New Zealand, prefer fully computer-based exams, or want fast results.
Choosing the right language test isn’t just about difficulty — it’s about what best fits your goals, target country, and personal strengths.
IELTS remains the most universally accepted option, but exams like Duolingo, LanguageCert, and PTE are rapidly growing because they are flexible, faster, and more affordable.
Every test has its advantages:
IELTS → globally trusted
TOEFL → American English format + widely accepted
PTE → preferred for Australia + fast results
Duolingo → budget-friendly + easier attempt style
LanguageCert → listening twice + quick scheduling
At the end of the day, you don’t need the “toughest” test — you need the right one for your dream university and visa pathway.
With proper practice and the right strategy, any of these tests can help you confidently take your next step toward studying abroad.
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