English Certificates – IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge & More
Compare English exams and qualifications for university, work, migration and professional purposes.
IELTS, TOEFL, Cambridge, TOEIC, PTE, the Duolingo English Test and other English qualifications serve different purposes. Find out what each exam tests, who accepts it and which one fits your goal.
Exams covered
25
For
Study · Work · Visa
Levels
CEFR A1–C2
Free tool
Score converter
Which English Certificate Do You Need?
There is no single best English certificate – the right exam depends on why you need it. A student applying to university may need a different certificate from someone proving workplace English. Migration authorities may accept only particular tests, while an employer may prefer a general international certificate or a specialist professional exam.
Start with the purpose, not the exam name. Before you start preparing, check which certificate your university, employer, professional organisation or immigration authority actually accepts. For a side-by-side view of all exams, see the complete overview of English certificates and exams.
1 Major International English Tests
These exams are among the most widely recognised English-language qualifications worldwide.
IELTS
The International English Language Testing System, in Academic and General Training versions: structure, band scores and preparation.
TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language, used mainly for academic and university applications.
PTE Academic
Pearson’s computer-based English test for academic and international purposes.
Duolingo English Test
The online proficiency test you take from home, accepted by many universities and colleges.
2 Cambridge English Qualifications
Cambridge qualifications are level-based certificates, each aligned with a stage of English proficiency on the CEFR scale.
B2 First, C1 Advanced & C2 Proficiency
From upper-intermediate to Cambridge’s highest-level qualification: what each exam covers and which level suits you.
Linguaskill
Cambridge’s modular online English test, used by companies, schools and universities.
3 English Certificates for Work
Some exams focus more strongly on workplace communication and practical professional English.
TOEIC
The Test of English for International Communication, widely used by employers to assess workplace English.
LanguageCert
LanguageCert ESOL qualifications: the different test formats, levels and purposes.
telc English
telc English examinations across different CEFR levels and contexts.
Trinity English Exams
Trinity College London qualifications, including speaking and integrated skills examinations.
4 English Tests for University & Study
Universities usually ask for evidence that applicants can study effectively in English.
IELTS Academic
The IELTS version for university and higher-education applications.
TOEFL iBT
The internet-based TOEFL and its academic reading, listening, speaking and writing tasks.
PTE Academic
Pearson’s computer-based test, accepted for many academic English requirements.
Duolingo English Test
An online alternative accepted by many educational institutions.
School qualifications
IB English
English requirements and assessment within International Baccalaureate programmes.
IGCSE English
English assessment in International GCSE programmes for secondary school students.
AP English
Advanced Placement English courses and examination requirements.
5 English Tests for Visa & Migration
Immigration systems often require a specific approved test rather than any general English certificate.
IELTS for UKVI
The IELTS versions designed for certain UK visa and immigration requirements.
SELT English Tests
Secure English Language Tests and their role in UK immigration applications.
CELPIP
The Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program for immigration and citizenship.
6 Specialist Professional English Exams
Some professions require English for one particular working environment.
OET – Occupational English Test
The English test designed for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
ICAO Aviation English
English proficiency requirements for pilots and air traffic control, from Level 4 to Level 6.
Maritime English
English certificates and communication requirements for seafarers.
7 Other English Tests & Assessments
Different organisations offer tests for placement, certification and measuring your level.
Oxford Test of English
The Oxford University Press English proficiency test.
TOEFL Essentials
The TOEFL Essentials test and how it differs from TOEFL iBT.
CEFR Level Converter
Compare scores across exams and see which CEFR level (A1–C2) each result means.
8 English Teaching Qualifications
These qualifications are for people who want to teach English, not tests of your own English level. Preparing for one? See English for trainee teachers.
CELTA
The Cambridge Certificate in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.
DELTA
Cambridge’s advanced qualification for experienced English teachers.
TEFL & TESOL
Teaching English as a Foreign Language and to Speakers of Other Languages: the many courses behind these names.
9 How to Choose an English Certificate
Start with the institution or organisation that requires the certificate.
Purpose
Decide whether you need English for study, work, migration or professional registration.
Acceptance
Check exactly which tests the receiving organisation accepts.
Prepare
Learn the test format and practise the skills it measures.
10 Prepare the Skills the Exam Actually Tests
Language ability matters most, but knowing the exam format can make a real difference.
Reading Skills
Practise finding main ideas, details, arguments and information quickly.
Listening Skills
Practise understanding different speakers, accents, details and overall meaning.
Speaking Tests
Practise answering directly, extending your ideas and speaking clearly under time pressure.
Writing Tasks
Practise organisation, argument, clarity, grammar and the right vocabulary.
Don’t begin with the most famous exam. Begin with the university, employer, immigration authority or professional organisation that needs proof of your English. Find out what they accept, understand the score you need, then prepare specifically for that test.
Purpose. Acceptance. Target. Preparation.
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