English tests
Which English test should you take?
Most universities and visas accept more than one test. The right one depends on where you are going, how you like to be tested and how soon you need a score.
Moksh does not own or run any English test. We help you choose the right test and prepare, and we check that your target universities and visa accept your score before you book.
International English Language Testing System
IELTS
A widely recognised four-skill test with a face-to-face speaking interview
- Fee
- About ₹19,000 for IELTS Academic or General Training (raised from ₹18,000 in April 2026); IELTS for UKVI costs slightly more. One Skill Retake, where offered, is charged separately (recently around ₹12,000–12,650).
- Results
- Usually 1–2 days after a computer-delivered test and about 13 days after a paper-based test
- Valid for
- Results are generally accepted for two years from the test date, though each institution and visa authority sets its own rule
Pearson Test of English Academic
PTE Academic
A fully computer-based test scored by AI, with fast results
- Fee
- About ₹18,900 including GST for PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI or PTE Core (revised in March 2026)
- Results
- Usually within 48 hours; occasionally up to five days
- Valid for
- Scores are shown for two years from the test date; institutions decide how recent a score they accept
Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based test
TOEFL iBT
A shorter, adaptive test since January 2026, with a new 1–6 score scale
- Fee
- Charged in US dollars; recently about ₹17,000–18,000 including taxes in India for the test centre or Home Edition. Late registration and rescheduling cost extra.
- Results
- Usually within 72 hours; the expected date is shown at the end of your test
- Valid for
- Two years from the test date
Duolingo English Test (DET)
Duolingo English Test
An online, adaptive test you can take from home in about an hour
- Fee
- USD 70 for one test (roughly ₹6,000, depending on the exchange rate); a two-test bundle and faster results cost extra
- Results
- Usually within 48 hours; faster results in about 12 hours for an extra fee
- Valid for
- Two years from the test date
Compare
The four tests side by side
| Test | Run by | Scoring | Fee in India | Results | Widely accepted in |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| IELTS | Jointly owned by the British Council, IDP IELTS and Cambridge University Press & Assessment | Each skill gets a band from 0 to 9 in half-band steps, and the overall band is the average rounded to the nearest half band. Most undergraduate courses ask for 6.0–6.5 overall and postgraduate courses 6.5–7.0, usually with a minimum in every skill. | About ₹19,000 for IELTS Academic or General Training (raised from ₹18,000 in April 2026); IELTS for UKVI costs slightly more. One Skill Retake, where offered, is charged separately (recently around ₹12,000–12,650). | Usually 1–2 days after a computer-delivered test and about 13 days after a paper-based test | UK universities, and IELTS for UKVI for visa routes that require a Secure English Language Test, Australian universities and the Department of Home Affairs for student visas, Canadian colleges and universities, US universities, Irish universities, New Zealand universities and Immigration New Zealand |
| PTE Academic | Pearson | You get an overall score and a score for each skill on a scale of 10 to 90. Many universities ask for 58–65 overall for undergraduate study and 58–70 for postgraduate study, often with a per-skill minimum. | About ₹18,900 including GST for PTE Academic, PTE Academic UKVI or PTE Core (revised in March 2026) | Usually within 48 hours; occasionally up to five days | Australian universities and the Department of Home Affairs for all visa types, New Zealand universities and Immigration New Zealand, UK universities, and PTE Academic UKVI for visa routes that need a Secure English Language Test, Irish universities, Many Canadian colleges and universities, A large number of US universities |
| TOEFL iBT | ETS (Educational Testing Service) | Each section is scored from 1 to 6 in half-point steps, and the overall score is the average rounded to the nearest half point. During the transition, reports also give a comparable 0–120 total. MyBest scores combine your best section scores from valid tests. | Charged in US dollars; recently about ₹17,000–18,000 including taxes in India for the test centre or Home Edition. Late registration and rescheduling cost extra. | Usually within 72 hours; the expected date is shown at the end of your test | US universities (very widely), Canadian universities and colleges, UK universities (check whether your visa route needs a UKVI-approved test instead), Australian universities (check the Department of Home Affairs list for current visa acceptance), Irish universities, New Zealand universities |
| Duolingo English Test | Duolingo, Inc. | Overall score from 10 to 160 in five-point steps, with subscores for reading, listening, writing and speaking on the same scale. Many universities ask for 105–120 overall, and some top institutions ask for more. | USD 70 for one test (roughly ₹6,000, depending on the exchange rate); a two-test bundle and faster results cost extra | Usually within 48 hours; faster results in about 12 hours for an extra fee | A large number of US colleges and universities, Many Canadian universities and colleges, Many UK universities for admission (not for UK visa routes that need a Secure English Language Test), A range of universities in Ireland, Australia and New Zealand |
Fees, costs and visa rules change often. Figures here are indicative and were last reviewed in September 2026. Always confirm with the university and the official government website before you pay or apply.
Not sure which test your universities accept?
Send us your shortlist and we will confirm the accepted tests and minimum scores for each course, and for your visa.