International students applying to universities in different countries should be aware of the English level it takes to pursue your education. In order to gain admission, you must have proof of your English proficiency. There are several different ways and governing bodies to go through to get this certification. Your options when looking into this exam are wide, but being prepared of what to expect is valuable in getting admission into the school of your dreams.

TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is arguably the best-known and most commonly used English proficiency test in the world. Along with the IELTS, it is one of the two tests that are usually accepted by a wide variety of American universities. The TOEFL was designed to test knowledge of English as applicable to a university setting. There are 2 formats currently at your disposal; both the internet test and the physical paper test that can be mailed in. The internet-based test is done entirely on a computer, including the speaking portion of the test. Answers are recorded and evaluated by certified graders from around the world. The cost is roughy 200 dollars.

IELTS-Academic Version
The International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is widely acknowledged by universities and employers around the world. There are two versions of the test: an academic version and a general training version. While universities require the academic version, the general training version is used by governments for immigration purposes and hiring withing government sectors. Unlike the TOEFL, the speaking portion of the IELTS is done in person with an examiner. The IELTS is more diverse than the TOEFL. The cost is roughly $240 USD.

CAE
The Cambridge exams are most often used for universities in the UK and English-universities located in the EU. The Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE) is best suited to someone who is already confident in their English communication. As the name suggests, it is an advanced test. The test can be done in person or on the computer, though not every test centres offer both versions. The questions are a mix of multiple choice, fill in the blanks, and matching. The speaking test is done in person with another test taker and two governing examiners.The CAE costs around 150 EUR.
CPE
The Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English is the most advanced of the exams listed so far. Like the CAE, this exam is often used in UK university admissions. The test can be done in person or on the computer, though not all test centres offer both versions. The questions are a mix of multiple choice, fill in the blanks, and matching. The speaking test is done in person with another test taker and two examiners. One examiner conducts the test while the other evaluates you and the other test taker. The CPE costs around 150 EUR.

Duolingo English Test
The newcomer on the list, Duolingo rose to notoriety because of the mobile application where you can learn new languages for free. Currently, the test is accepted by more than 3000 accredited institutions worldwide. The best advantage is the cost of the course, at only 49 dollars! The test takes roughly one hour and you’ll receive your results in usually 48 hours