| Exam | Best for | Format | Scoring |
|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Study abroad, general & skilled migration | Paper or computer-delivered; in-person Speaking with an examiner | Band 0-9 |
| PTE Academic | Study abroad, Australia/NZ visas | Fully computer-delivered, AI-scored | 10-90 scale |
| OET | Healthcare registration & visas | Computer or paper; healthcare-specific tasks | Grade A-E per sub-test |
| CELPIP | Canadian PR & citizenship | Fully computer-delivered | CLB (Canadian Language Benchmark) |
| DET | Study abroad (fast, at-home) | Fully online, adaptive, at-home | 10-160 scale |
Formats, fees and acceptance change over time — always check the exam body's own website (linked in Sources below) for current details before you register.
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is one of the most widely recognized English tests globally, with an Academic version for university admission and a General Training version for immigration and work. Its Speaking test is a face-to-face (or video-call) conversation with a real examiner, which some learners prefer over speaking to a computer.
PTE Academic is entirely computer-delivered and machine-scored, including the Speaking section, which tends to make results available faster than IELTS. It's a strong option if you're comfortable speaking into a microphone rather than to a person, and it's explicitly accepted for Australian and New Zealand visa applications alongside university admissions.
OET (Occupational English Test) is designed specifically for healthcare professionals — nurses, doctors, dentists, pharmacists and more — and uses real workplace scenarios (writing a referral letter, a patient consultation) instead of generic academic topics. If you're a healthcare worker registering to practise in a country that recognizes OET, it's usually the more directly relevant choice over IELTS or PTE.
CELPIP-General is a Canadian test used specifically for permanent residency and citizenship applications, scored on the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) scale that Canadian immigration uses directly. IELTS General Training is also accepted for many Canadian immigration streams, so this often comes down to test format preference and current program requirements.
The Duolingo English Test is fully online and can be taken from home at almost any time, with an adaptive format that adjusts question difficulty as you go. It's typically the fastest to get results from and one of the more affordable options, and acceptance has grown to thousands of institutions — though not every university accepts it, so it's worth confirming with your specific target school.
Speaking practice with instant scoring, mock tests and a certificate — for IELTS, PTE, OET, CELPIP and DET.
See all exam courses →IELTS has a Speaking test with a real examiner and can be taken on paper or computer; PTE Academic is fully computer-delivered and AI-scored, including speaking, and generally returns results faster. Both are widely accepted for study and immigration — confirm which one your specific program accepts.
OET is built for healthcare professionals broadly — nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy and more — with tasks that reflect real clinical situations. It's used for healthcare registration and visas, primarily in the UK, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland.
CELPIP-General is accepted for Canadian PR and citizenship applications and scored on the CLB scale. IELTS General Training is also accepted for many Canadian streams — check current requirements for your specific program.
Yes — DET is accepted by thousands of universities worldwide, especially valued for its speed and lower cost. Acceptance varies by institution, so always verify your specific target university's current policy.
Sources & further reading: ielts.org · pearsonpte.com · occupationalenglishtest.org · celpip.ca · englishtest.duolingo.com. CourPro is independent and not affiliated with any of these test providers.