Those who want to study abroad, do the job, or apply for immigration must take an English Proficiency test to demonstrate their English skills. They have to get a minimum test score to reach their goal. The minimum score required by the institutions can vary. Some institutions want you to score a minimum in each section. So, candidates often have to take these tests multiple times to obtain the desired score. Sometimes it can be frustrating when you get the overall minimum score but cannot achieve the individual section minimum score. In such cases, you have to work harder on the section that you are struggling with. All the English Proficiency tests examine your capability to express yourself in English by testing you in the Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking sections.

These tests are assessed using graded scales depending on an agreed standard. Knowing how your English skill is graded will help you to prepare well for the exam.

IELTS score calculation

In the IELTS exam, different scores are allocated for every section. The scores are marked between 0 and 9; with 9 being the most achievable score. You can get fractional scores like 5.5. However, if the score falls outside the 0.5 range then it's rounded up to the whole number; that is, if you get 5.65, it will be converted to 6.0. The listening score is given based on your answers to 40 questions. If you answer 39 of the 40 questions correctly then you will get the full score of 9. If you answer 18 to 22 questions correctly then you will get an average 50% score. Many universities will accept an overall IELTS score of 5.5. However, some universities demand a minimum writing score of 6.0. So, even if you get a 7.5 score overall unless you get 6.0 in your writing section, those universities won't accept you.

In the reading section, if you get all the 40 questions correct then you will get a score of 9. The writing and the speaking sections will also have the highest 9 bands. You will be marked by focusing on your vocabulary, grammar, and fluency. You will get the overall score after adding all the individual scores and taking the average.

Duolingo score calculation

This test uses a different scoring scale. It has these scoring categories:
• 10-55 indicates that the candidate has poor/basic understanding and comprehension. • 60-85 indicates that the candidate has basic/fair understanding and comprehension, but with challenges. • 90-115 indicates that the person has good understanding, speaking, and communication. • 120-160 is the score that tells the person has excellent understanding and comprehension. You should know that a Duolingo test score of 85 to 90 is equivalent to a 5.5 score in IELTS.

TOEFL iBT score calculation

Each of the sections of TOEFL is graded out of 30 marks each; so your total evaluation will be out of 120. Every section has a banded scoring structure; there are four categories for reading and listening and five for speaking and writing. For listening and reading, the following categories are present:
• Advanced (24-30) • High-Intermediate (18-23) • Low-Intermediate (4-17) • Below Low-Intermediate (0-3) For speaking the bands the categories are:
• Advanced (25-30) • High-Intermediate (17-21) • Low-Intermediate (16-19) • Basic (10-15) • Below Basic (0-9) The writing score categories are:
• Advanced (24-30) • High-Intermediate (17-23) • Low-Intermediate (13-16) • Basic (7-12) • Below Basic (0-6) Most universities expect prospective students to have a minimum TOEFL score of 90 to get an admit.


TOEIC

This test assesses your communication skills in the workplace. You can obtain a total score of 990. The score remains valid for two years.

PTE scoring criteria

The score of this test is calculated using both machine learning and human expertise. Overall PTE score is between 10 and 90.

English proficiency tests comparison

Test/Level A1 A2 B1 B2 C1 C2
IELTS - - 4.0-5.0 5.5-6.5 7.0-8.0 8.5, 9.0
TOEFL - - 42-71 71-94 95-120 115-120
TOEIC 120-234 235-549 550-784 785-944 945-990 -
KET (Key) 100-119 120-139 140-150 - - -
PET (Preliminary) - 120-139 140-159 160-170 - -
FCE (First) - - 140-159 160-179 180-190 -
CAE (Advanced) - - - 160-179 180-199 200-210
CPE (Proficiency) - - - - 180-199 200-230
CELPIP - 4 5 6,7 8,9 10-12

Choosing the right English proficiency test

IELTS: For studying at a university in the USA, Canada, UK, Australia or New Zealand. It is also appropriate for those wanting to do international business.
TOEIC, TOEFL, IELTS: For working in multinational companies.

You will get your IELTS results within 12 to 14 days. If you take the computer-based test then you will get the results in 5 to 7 days. The average time for obtaining your TOEFL result is 6 days. The TOEFL score will remain valid for 2 years. Your results for the Duolingo test will be posted to you within 48 hours.

Some of the test results can be directly sent to the universities of your choice. You need to select those universities on the day of the exam. This saves you from the hassle of sending the scores yourself. The scores of these tests reflect your ability to read, listen, write, and speak English. The better your scores are the better your English skill is. A good score shows that you will be able to communicate well with others in the English-speaking country and complete academic lessons without any problem.