8 English exams by issuer, result and purpose
English has the widest choice of language exams. Most report results on the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR), the European scale from A1 to C2, or link their own scale to it.
| Exam | Issuer | Result | Main purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cambridge English, A2 Key to C2 Proficiency | Cambridge University Press & Assessment | one CEFR level per exam | lasting proof for work and study |
| IELTS Academic and General Training | British Council, IDP, Cambridge | band 0 to 9 | study, migration |
| TOEFL iBT | ETS | band 1 to 6 since 2026 | study, especially in the US |
| TOEIC Listening and Reading | ETS | 10 to 990 points | jobs and companies |
| Linguaskill | Cambridge | CEFR level per skill | online testing for companies and universities |
| PTE Academic | Pearson | 10 to 90 points | study, migration |
| Duolingo English Test | Duolingo | 10 to 160 points | study, taken at home |
| telc English | telc | one or two CEFR levels | work, university entry |
A band score is a level on the test's own scale. ETS is the US non-profit organisation behind the TOEFL and the TOEIC. telc offers 22 English exams, including versions for work and a dual-level university exam at B2 and C1.
English exams for study, visas and jobs
The institution that asks for proof decides which exam counts. For common goals, certain English exams have become standard. CEFR refers to the European six-level scale from A1 to C2.
| Your goal | Usual English exam | What to check |
|---|---|---|
| Degree in the US or Canada | TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic | overall score and section minimums |
| Degree in the UK, Ireland or Australia | IELTS Academic, C1 Advanced | the university's list of tests |
| UK visa for work or family | IELTS for UKVI or another SELT | only tests on the government list count |
| Migration to Australia, Canada or New Zealand | IELTS General Training | the immigration authority's list |
| Job at an international company | TOEIC, Linguaskill Business | the score or level the employer names |
| Proof that never expires | B2 First, C1 Advanced | the level you can safely pass |
SELT stands for Secure English Language Test, the term the UK government uses for the tests it accepts for many visas. A standard IELTS Academic result does not always meet this requirement, and Cambridge English Qualifications are not on the SELT list.
Before you book a course, ask the institution in writing for three details: the exact exam, the minimum score and the maximum age of the result.
Cambridge levels versus IELTS and TOEFL bands
English exams come in two designs. A Cambridge exam such as B2 First tests one fixed CEFR level, meaning one step on the European scale from A1 to C2. IELTS, the TOEFL iBT and the TOEIC cover all levels in one sitting and give every candidate a score.
Cambridge exams can still reward or soften a result. A very strong score in C1 Advanced certifies C2, and a near miss of C1 still brings a B2 certificate. A lower score brings no certificate, so you register only when your practice tests sit safely in the target range.
- ✓A Cambridge certificate names a clear CEFR level and never expires.
- ✓Its tasks match the target level.
- ✓It suits learners who want proof that lasts for decades.
- ✗IELTS and TOEFL give a score at any level and have no pass or fail.
- ✗You choose your test date more freely.
- ✗Results usually count for two years only.
For a level exam, online preparation trains the tasks of one level. For IELTS or the TOEFL you work towards a target band, for example IELTS 7, which IELTS links to C1.
English exams you can take from home
Several English exams run as remote tests. You sit at your own computer, and a supervisor or software watches you through camera and microphone. This supervision is called proctoring.
- ETS offers the TOEFL iBT as the Home Edition with a live human proctor. Content and scoring match the test centre version.
- IELTS Online is the remote version of IELTS. Results arrive after 6 to 8 days and go to institutions electronically only.
- Linguaskill from Cambridge is an adaptive online test, which means the questions adjust to your answers, and it can run with remote supervision.
- The Duolingo English Test runs entirely online.
- telc runs remote B2 tests in English, but these certificates do not count for visa or residence procedures.
Cambridge exams such as B2 First and C1 Advanced take place only at an exam centre, on computer or on paper.
Not every institution accepts remote tests, and they never count for UK visas. A remote test also needs a quiet room, a stable internet connection, a webcam and a valid ID.
What preparation for each English exam trains
Each English exam has its own task types and traps, so a preparation course should name one exam and its current version.
| Exam | Focus of the preparation |
|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | the task types introduced on 21 January 2026, such as Complete the Words and Listen and Repeat |
| IELTS | Writing Task 2, which counts double, and the right version, Academic or General Training |
| Cambridge English | Use of English tasks such as word formation, and speaking in pairs |
| TOEIC | time management in Reading part 7 and workplace vocabulary |
TOEFL practice books from before 2026 lack the new task types and only help with vocabulary and grammar. In IELTS Listening and Reading, misspelled answers count as wrong. In the TOEIC, wrong answers cost nothing, so you answer every question.
If you have already reached the target level, 6 to 12 weeks with a few hours a week usually cover the format and timing. If you still lack one full CEFR level, Cambridge English estimates about 200 additional guided learning hours. The CEFR is the European six-level scale from A1 to C2.
English exam fees and validity in 2026
Exam fees depend on the country and the test centre. The figures are examples published for 2026.
| Exam | Fee example 2026 | Validity |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL iBT | US$170 to US$475 by country, US$270 in the US | 2 years |
| IELTS | about 260 to 290 euros in Germany | 2 years recommended |
| Cambridge C1 Advanced | 200 euros in Valencia, 279 euros in Münster | no expiry |
| TOEIC Listening and Reading | about 170 to 200 euros in Europe | 2 years |
A retake costs the full fee again, except for the IELTS One Skill Retake, which repeats a single part of a computer-delivered test within 60 days. Language skills decline without use, which is why ETS reports TOEFL and TOEIC scores for two years only and IELTS recommends the same limit.
Schedule your exam so that the result is still valid when you apply and so that one retake fits before the deadline.
Frequently asked questions about online English test preparation courses
Which English exam do universities in the US accept for admission?
Universities in the US usually accept the TOEFL iBT and IELTS Academic for admission, and many also accept PTE Academic or the Duolingo English Test. Each university decides which tests count and which minimum score applies. Its admission page lists both.
Do Cambridge English certificates expire?
Cambridge English certificates such as B2 First and C1 Advanced never expire. Universities, employers and authorities may still ask for a result from the last two or three years. IELTS, TOEFL and TOEIC results, by contrast, usually count for two years.
Which English exams can you take from home?
You can take the TOEFL iBT Home Edition, IELTS Online, Linguaskill and the Duolingo English Test from home. Cambridge exams such as C1 Advanced take place only at exam centres. Check in advance whether your university or authority accepts the home version.
Which English test do you need for a UK work or family visa?
A UK work or family visa usually requires a Secure English Language Test (SELT), such as IELTS for UKVI. Only tests on the UK government list count. Cambridge English Qualifications and standard IELTS Academic results are not accepted for these visas.
How long does English exam preparation take once you reach the target level?
English exam preparation takes about 6 to 12 weeks with a few hours a week once you have reached the target level. That time covers the task types, the timing and two or three mock exams. Each missing CEFR level adds about 200 guided learning hours.
How much does the TOEFL iBT cost in 2026?
The TOEFL iBT costs between US$170 and US$475 in 2026, depending on the country. ETS lists US$270 for the US, US$260 for the UK and US$280 for Germany. Registering within 7 days of the test costs an extra US$49.
Sources
The information is based on these sources. Check fees and dates with the provider before you register.