English Test Guide: IELTS, PTE, TOEFL, Duolingo, LanguageCert, Oxford ELLT & OET
Compare all seven English tests side by side, calculate your overall score, and find the test your university and visa actually accept — every fact checked against the official test owners.
The right English test is the one your university and visa route accept — not the one your friends took. For most Pakistani students, that means IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT or the Duolingo English Test; LanguageCert and Oxford ELLT are strong options for UK universities, and OET is built for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals.
This English test guide from LingoLab in Multan compares all seven on score scale, result speed, validity and visa acceptance, then gives you free score calculators and a test finder. Our British Council certified trainers keep it updated from the official IELTS, Pearson, ETS, Duolingo, LanguageCert, Oxford ELLT and OET websites.
IELTS vs PTE vs TOEFL vs Duolingo vs LanguageCert vs Oxford ELLT vs OET
How the seven major English proficiency tests compare on scoring, results, validity and where you can take them.
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| Test | Score scale | How the overall is worked out | Results | Where you take it | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Band 0–9, in half bands | Average of Listening, Reading, Writing & Speaking, rounded to the nearest half band | On computer in Pakistan: typically 1–5 days | Test centre (British Council offers IELTS on computer in Multan) | UK, Canada, Australia, USA, Europe; IELTS for UKVI for UK visa routes that need a SELT |
| PTE Academic | 10–90 | Based on your performance across the whole test — not an average of the four skills | Typically within 48 hours | Pearson test centre, fully on computer | Australia, UK (PTE Academic UKVI), Canada, many US and European universities |
| TOEFL iBT | 1–6, in half bands (since 21 Jan 2026) | Average of the four sections, rounded to the nearest half band; reports also show a comparable 0–120 score until Jan 2028 | Within 72 hours | Test centre or Home Edition | USA and Canada; Australia when booked as “TOEFL for Australia” at a centre |
| Duolingo English Test | 10–160, in steps of 5 | One overall score plus subscores, reported directly | Within 48 hours | Online from home, about 1 hour | USA, Canada and universities that accept it; low cost (US$70) |
| LanguageCert Academic | Skill scores with CEFR level | Overall reported with all four skills | A few working days | Test centre (SELT version) or online | UK Student visa (Academic SELT) and UK universities; Australia at a test centre |
| Oxford ELLT | Level scale mapped to IELTS & CEFR | Average of the four components, each weighted equally | Within 48 hours | Online from home (Digital) or test centre (Global); live human speaking examiner | Admission to UK universities that list it (£120) |
| OET | 0–500 per sub-test, grades A–E | No single overall — each sub-test graded separately; Grade B = 350 | Varies by format | Test centre (computer or paper) or OET@Home | Doctors, nurses and 10 other healthcare professions registering abroad |
Sources: official websites of each test owner, listed in Official sources. Always confirm the accepted test and score on your university’s own admissions page before booking.
Which English Test Should You Take?
Pick your destination, your purpose and what matters most to you — we’ll shortlist the tests that are actually accepted.
How Is Your Overall English Test Score Calculated?
Use the official rounding rules to work out your IELTS band score, your new TOEFL 1–6 score, or your OET grades.
IELTS averages your four band scores. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and .75 rounds up to the next whole band.
Since 21 January 2026, each TOEFL iBT section is scored 1–6 and the overall is their average, rounded to the nearest half band.
OET grades each sub-test separately on a 0–500 scale. Most healthcare regulators ask for Grade B (350) or higher.
PTE Academic, Duolingo, LanguageCert and Oxford ELLT report your overall score directly, so there is nothing to calculate. PTE’s overall is not an average of its four skills.
IELTS, PTE, TOEFL & Duolingo Score Comparison by CEFR Level
Each test owner publishes how its scores line up with the Common European Framework of Reference (CEFR). Use this to compare levels — not to swap one test’s score for another.
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| CEFR level | IELTS | PTE Academic | TOEFL iBT (1–6) | Duolingo |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| C2 — Proficient | 8.5–9.0 | 85–90 | 6.0 | 155–160 |
| C1 — Advanced | 7.0–8.0 | 76–84 | 5.0–5.5 | 130–150 |
| B2 — Upper intermediate | 5.5–6.5 | 59–75 | 4.0–4.5 | 100–125 |
| B1 — Intermediate | 4.0–5.0 | 43–58 | 3.0–3.5 | 60–95 |
Converting an IELTS requirement to PTE? Use Pearson’s July 2025 concordance, not CEFR: IELTS 6.5 ≈ PTE 55–62 and IELTS 7.0 ≈ PTE 63–70. Universities set their own accepted score for each test, so check their page.
Every English Proficiency Test Explained
The key facts for each test, and where to prepare for it with certified trainers — on campus in Multan or live online.
IELTS Academic, General & UKVI
- Band 0–9; overall is the rounded average of four skills
- On computer at British Council centres, including Multan
- One Skill Retake lets you resit just one skill
- IELTS for UKVI is also offered on computer in Multan
PTE Academic & PTE UKVI
- Scored 10–90; results typically within 48 hours
- Overall is based on the whole test, not a skills average
- Scores shared digitally with unlimited institutions
- PTE Academic UKVI for UK visa routes that need a SELT
TOEFL iBT
- Since 21 January 2026: 1–6 bands in half points
- Shorter, partly adaptive test with new task types
- Reports show a comparable 0–120 score until January 2028
- Results within 72 hours
Duolingo English Test
- Scored 10–160; about one hour, taken at home
- Results within 48 hours; valid for 2 years
- US$70, with free score sending
- Not accepted for Australian student visas
LanguageCert Academic
- LanguageCert Academic SELT is approved for UK Student visas
- Accepted for Australian student visas at a test centre
- Four skills, mapped to CEFR levels
- Results in a few working days
Oxford ELLT
- ELLT Digital from home, or ELLT Global at a test centre
- Speaking with a live human examiner; results within 48 hours
- £120 for Oxford ELLT Digital
- For admission only — not a UK visa SELT
OET (Occupational English Test)
- 12 professions, including medicine, nursing and pharmacy
- Each sub-test 0–500, graded A–E; Grade B = 350
- Result validity is set by each registration authority
- OET@Home is not accepted for Australian visas
Compare All Courses
See batch options, on-campus and online formats, and weekly mock tests for every English test we teach, all in one place.
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Weekly mock tests, section-wise feedback and certified trainers — on campus in Multan or live online across Pakistan and the Gulf.
English Test Requirements for Student Visas from Pakistan
Your university sets the score you need for admission. The visa rules below decide which tests count at all.
UK Student Visa
For degree-level study you need English at CEFR B2, and your university can assess this itself — so many accept IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, Oxford ELLT or Duolingo. Below degree level you need a Home Office approved SELT at B1: IELTS for UKVI, PTE Academic UKVI or LanguageCert Academic SELT. See our UK study visa guide.
Australia Student Visa (Subclass 500)
Home Affairs accepts IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT (booked as “TOEFL for Australia”), LanguageCert Academic, OET, Cambridge C1 Advanced, CELPIP and MET — all taken in person at a test centre. The visa minimum for direct degree entry is IELTS 6.0 or equivalent. Duolingo, Oxford ELLT and at-home tests don’t count. Read our Australia study guide.
Source: Department of Home Affairs — Student visa (subclass 500)
Canada Study Permit
IRCC does not set one English score for study permits — your college or university does. IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Duolingo are all commonly accepted, but lists differ, so check your programme page. More in our Canada study visa guide.
Source: IRCC — Study permit
USA F-1 Student Visa
The F-1 visa has no fixed test score; your university sets the requirement for admission. TOEFL iBT, Duolingo and IELTS are widely accepted, and many universities take PTE Academic. See our USA study guide.
Taking an English Test in Multan, Punjab & Across Pakistan
Where to sit each test, how to choose between them, and how students across Punjab and the Gulf prepare with LingoLab.
Where can I take IELTS in Multan?
British Council Pakistan offers IELTS on computer in Multan, alongside Bahawalpur, Sahiwal, Lahore and Faisalabad, and IELTS for UKVI on computer in Multan as well. Paper-based IELTS in Pakistan is now limited to candidates approved for special arrangements on medical grounds. Fees are set by the test providers and change during the year, so check the live fee on the British Council Pakistan booking page before you pay. To prepare, join our IELTS coaching in Multan.
IELTS vs PTE — which is easier for Pakistani students?
Neither test is easier; they suit different people. IELTS has a face-to-face Speaking test with an examiner, which many students find more natural. PTE is fully computer-scored with results typically within 48 hours, which suits students who type fast and want a quick result. Both are accepted for UK, Australian and Canadian study. Try a mock of each in our PTE classes before you decide.
What changed in the TOEFL iBT?
From 21 January 2026, ETS moved the TOEFL iBT to a 1–6 score scale, made the test shorter and partly adaptive, and added new task types. Until January 2028, score reports also show a comparable 0–120 score, because many universities still publish old-scale requirements. Older TOEFL books describe a test that no longer exists — our TOEFL preparation uses the new format.
Can I study in the UK without IELTS?
Yes. For degree-level study, UK universities can accept PTE Academic, LanguageCert, Oxford ELLT, Duolingo or their own assessment instead of IELTS, provided that university lists it. Where a SELT is required, LanguageCert Academic SELT and PTE Academic UKVI are approved alternatives to IELTS for UKVI. Our study visa consultants in Multan check your university’s list before you book.
For students in Multan, across Punjab, Pakistan and the Gulf
Students join our online IELTS, PTE and TOEFL classes from Multan, Bahawalpur, Dera Ghazi Khan, Sahiwal, Lahore, Faisalabad, Karachi and Islamabad, and overseas Pakistanis join from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. Pair your test plan with our study abroad cost calculator and scholarship finder, or explore every free tool on our tools and resources page.
Official sources used in this guide
- British Council Pakistan — IELTS dates, fees & locations
- IELTS — Scoring in detail
- Pearson PTE — PTE Academic scoring
- ETS — TOEFL iBT score scale update
- Duolingo English Test — Understand scoring
- LanguageCert — SELT for UKVI
- Oxford ELLT — Oxford ELLT Digital
- OET — Results and scoring
- GOV.UK — Student visa English requirement
- Australian Home Affairs — Subclass 500
Reviewed by Sana Gull, Founder & CEO, LingoLab — British Council, IDP and Pearson certified trainer. Last updated . Test rules change; always confirm on the official site before booking.
English Test Questions Pakistani Students Ask Most
Which English test is best for a study visa from Pakistan?
IELTS is the safest all-rounder because almost every university and visa route accepts it. PTE Academic is the fastest for Australia and the UK, and Duolingo is the cheapest for the USA and Canada. The best test is the one your university and visa accept — use our test finder or book a free assessment.
How is the IELTS overall band score calculated?
IELTS adds your Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking bands and divides by four. An average ending in .25 rounds up to the next half band, and .75 rounds up to the next whole band — so 6.25 becomes 6.5 and 6.75 becomes 7.0. Try the IELTS band calculator or our IELTS course.
Can I take the IELTS test in Multan?
Yes. British Council Pakistan offers IELTS on computer in Multan, including IELTS for UKVI, with results typically in 1–5 days. Book directly on the British Council website, and prepare beforehand with our IELTS coaching in Multan on Education Avenue, opposite Bahauddin Zakariya University.
What is the new TOEFL score scale?
Since 21 January 2026, each TOEFL iBT section is scored from 1 to 6 in half bands, and the overall is their average rounded to the nearest half. Until January 2028, reports also show a comparable 0–120 score. Calculate yours with our TOEFL calculator or join TOEFL preparation.
Is the Duolingo English Test accepted for UK and Australian student visas?
For Australia, no — Home Affairs does not accept Duolingo for student visas. For the UK, some universities accept Duolingo for degree-level admission, but it is not a UKVI SELT. It is widely accepted by US and Canadian universities. Check your list, then prepare with our Duolingo course.
Is PTE easier than IELTS?
No test is objectively easier. PTE is computer-scored with results typically within 48 hours, while IELTS has a face-to-face Speaking test with an examiner. Students who type quickly often prefer PTE; confident speakers often prefer IELTS. Take a mock of each in our PTE classes to see which suits you.
How long are IELTS, PTE, TOEFL and Duolingo scores valid?
IELTS, PTE Academic, TOEFL iBT and Duolingo scores are generally accepted for two years from the test date. Some visa routes allow longer — Australian Home Affairs, for example, accepts some recent test results for up to three years. OET validity is set by each registration authority. Plan your timeline with our visa guidance.
Which English test do doctors and nurses need?
Most healthcare regulators, including the UK’s NMC and GMC and Australia’s AHPRA, accept OET, usually at Grade B (350) in each sub-test. IELTS Academic is also accepted at higher scores. Check your regulator’s exact rule, then prepare with our OET preparation course.
Can I study in the UK without IELTS?
Yes. For degree-level study, many UK universities accept PTE Academic, LanguageCert, Oxford ELLT or Duolingo. Where a SELT is required, LanguageCert Academic SELT and PTE Academic UKVI are approved alternatives to IELTS for UKVI. Our UK study visa team checks your university’s accepted tests first.
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