In many cases, the starting point in your pursuit of U.S. academics is a widely recognized exam that measures your English proficiency in a variety of ways. Please contact your local U.S. education agency for further information on what exams are available in your area; it is important that you verify the credentials of the examination center. Some exams are Internet-based or computer-based, while others are taken with pencil and paper. U.S. campuses may specify different English proficiency requirements, so please select a campus from our exclusive list, and begin corresponding directly with international admissions counselors.

A few options of exams for testing English proficiency:

• TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language
• IELTS: International English Language Testing System
• PTE Academic: Pearson Test of English

Take the TOEFL® test. And go anywhere from here.
 Register for the TOEFL test to reserve your seat today.

To help you get into the university of your choice, the TOEFL test gives you many advantages, including access to more than 7,000 institutions worldwide, in over 130 countries such as the U.S., U.K. and Australia. That's because the TOEFL test measures your ability to integrate the four key English skills needed in the academic setting — reading, listening, speaking and writing — another key advantage that makes it the most accepted, most respected English language test in the world.

To help you prepare for test day, ETS, the creators of the TOEFL test, offer an array of easy to use online tools at TOEFLGoAnywhere.org. You can easily download the FREE TOEFL® IBT Tips guide and FREE TOEFL test sample questions, watch test tips with the “Meet the Study Group” video series and get official practice tools with TOEFL® Practice Online and The Official Guide to the TOEFL® Test, 3rd Edition.

To help you start your TOEFL test journey, go to TOEFLGoAnywhere.org and search the more than 4,500 test locations worldwide — then register today to reserve your seat. You can also use the search tool to see if your desired institution accepts the TOEFL test, or search by destination. Either way, you'll see how the TOEFL test can help you go anywhere from here.

IELTS: International English Language Testing System

Another test is the International English Language Testing System, or IELTS. It is now recognized at more than 200 U.S. universities. IELTS is considered a test of English as an international language (not just British), so it may be more representative of the type of English an international student encounters on a U.S. campus. The varieties of English on the test include North American, United Kingdom, and Australian; no one variety is considered more important than another.

IELTS profiles English language proficiency in four skills: reading, listening, writing, speaking. The exam has flexible test dates, is available worldwide, and has results available within two weeks. There is no official 1:1 correlation between IELTS and TOEFL or CBTOEFL scores because the tests are different.

Again, please contact your local U.S. education agency for further information on what exams are available in your area.

PTE Academic: Pearson Test of English

PTE Academic is a new, computer-based English language test for non-native speakers who want to study at institutions where English is the main language of instruction. The test accurately measures Listening, Reading, Speaking and Writing skills with question types that reflect how language is actually used in an academic environment. The test is offered in test centers around the world on a choose and book basis, providing students with the flexibility of scheduling the test at a time and location that is convenient for them. Scores are available online normally within five business days, and students can send their scores to as many institutions as they wish at no charge. A number of test preparation materials, including a fully-scored practice test, are available at pearsonpte.com/testme.